Firefighter Salary in San Jose, CA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for San Jose's cost of living (index: 198). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Firefighter Salary in San Jose — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in San Jose
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in San Jose
San Jose has a metro population of 1,990,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.4% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for San Jose
Other Professions in San Jose
Firefighter Salary — Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Firefighter make in San Jose, CA?
The estimated median salary for a Firefighter in San Jose is $120,127 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $60,670 adjusted by San Jose's cost of living index (198). The typical salary range runs from $83,734 (25th percentile) to $169,488 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $222,631.
Is San Jose affordable for a Firefighter?
On a $120,127 annual salary, a Firefighter in San Jose would spend approximately 21.9% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,195/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making San Jose relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $1,350,000 is 11.2× the annual salary.
How does a Firefighter's salary compare to San Jose's overall income?
San Jose's median household income is $137,200. A Firefighter earning the city-adjusted median of $120,127 earns 12.4% less than the typical San Jose household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that San Jose has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.