As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Fire Chief in San Diego, CA is $96,256, equivalent to $46 per hour, $1,851 weekly, or $8,021 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Fire Chief in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Fire Chief in San Diego, CA vary widely, spanning from $71,814 to $123,456. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($83,462) and 75th percentile ($110,493), while top earners (90th percentile) make $123,456 per year. This $27,031 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Emergency Services, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, San Diego Fire Chief often earn 2.2% higher than national averages. However, San Diego currently ranks 128 statewide for Fire Chief job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
