City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Firefighter Salary
San Diego, California · San Diego County · 949 career firefighters · 52 stations
Official pay at City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
From the department's pay plan, effective Jul 2026 (FY2027).
Entry pay
As published: Fire Recruit (1463) step A: $20.610/hr, $1,648.80 biweekly, $3,585.00 monthly (step E $24.870/hr, $1,989.60 biweekly, $4,326.00 monthly). Fire Fighter 1 (1461): A $26.390/hr, $2,111.20 biweekly, $4,590.00 monthly - E $31.760, $2,540.80, $5,524.00. Fire Fighter 2 (1462): A $35.420/hr, $2,833.60 biweekly, $6,161.00 monthly - E $42.730/hr, $3,418.40 biweekly, $7,432.00 monthly. Fire Fighter 3 (1020): A $37.170 / $2,973.60 / $6,465.00 - E $44.860 / $3,588.80 / $7,802.00
Top step pay
See the published figures
Source: Pay plan, Jul 2026 (FY2027)
City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department pay questions
- What is the official firefighter pay at City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department?
- City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's pay plan, effective 2026-07-01 · FY2027, lists firefighter pay as published: Fire Recruit (1463) step A: $20.610/hr, $1,648.80 biweekly, $3,585.00 monthly (step E $24.870/hr, $1,989.60 biweekly, $4,326.00 monthly). Fire Fighter 1 (1461): A $26.390/hr, $2,111.20 biweekly, $4,590.00 monthly - E $31.760, $2,540.80, $5,524.00. Fire Fighter 2 (1462): A $35.420/hr, $2,833.60 biweekly, $6,161.00 monthly - E $42.730/hr, $3,418.40 biweekly, $7,432.00 monthly. Fire Fighter 3 (1020): A $37.170 / $2,973.60 / $6,465.00 - E $44.860 / $3,588.80 / $7,802.00.
- Is City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department hiring right now?
- No openings from City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department are listed on FireJobs today. Departments with 949 career firefighters usually post once or twice a year. Free weekly alerts for California cover it when they do.
Source: the department's official pay schedule, linked above with its effective date. Pay changes with contracts and steps; the posting for a current opening is the figure that applies.