Wage data
Firefighters Salary in San Francisco
The median Firefighters salary in San Francisco is $113,700 per year, with most earning between $96,420 and $125,390 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Francisco wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,070 |
| 25th percentile | $96,420 |
| Median (50th) | $113,700 |
| 75th percentile | $125,390 |
| 90th percentile | $139,590 |
How San Francisco compares to the national average
The San Francisco median ($113,700) runs 92% above the national median of $59,280.
| San Francisco median | $113,700 |
| National median | $59,280 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Firefighters in San Francisco:
- Entry-level Firefighters in San Francisco (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $77,070 to $96,420.
- Early-career Firefighters in San Francisco (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $96,420 to $113,700.
- Mid-career Firefighters in San Francisco (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $113,700 to $125,390.
- Senior Firefighters in San Francisco (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $125,390 to $139,590.
About the role
Key skills: Critical Thinking, Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Listening, Speaking.
In-demand tools: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows.
Typical education: High School Diploma (36%), Post-Secondary Certificate (25%), Some College (20%), Less than High School (9%).
Related occupations: First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists, Fire Inspectors and Investigators, Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers, Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Firefighters salary in San Francisco?
The median Firefighters salary in San Francisco is $113,700 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $96,420 and $125,390 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Firefighters earn in San Francisco?
The 90th percentile Firefighters wage in San Francisco is $139,590 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Firefighters pay in San Francisco compare to the national average?
The San Francisco median ($113,700) runs 92% above the national median of $59,280. All figures are from the federal wage survey (OEWS May 2025).
How do I know if a Firefighters salary offer in San Francisco is competitive?
Compare the offer against these percentiles: an offer near the median is at market for a typical hire, while your experience level shifts the band you should be judged against. The free counter calculator places a specific number in this distribution, and the full analysis adds live market data and the exact range to counter with.
Have an offer in hand? See exactly where it stands against this data — with your experience level, live market ranges, and the specific range to counter with.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Estimates are market-informed, not guarantees. How we read this data.
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