While firefighters are best known for extinguishing fires, they also serve as life-saving medical first responders, building inspectors, and rescuers. The Northeast and West Coast are the most lucrative areas for firefighters. This is a highly skilled and dangerous job. However, there is a high demand for firefighters, so it is worth looking into what's available.
San Jose-Sunnyvale Santa Clara
In the city of San Jose, firefighters earn more than the mayor, city manager, lawyer, or doctor, and the highest paid firefighter is not a mayor or city council member. Ivan Lee is the chief of the fire brigade. He is currently tied with three other chiefs of fire brigades for the highest salary at $270 367.
Firefighters in San Jose-Sunnyvale are among the most highly paid in the state. City Hall is being forced to reduce benefits due to budget constraints. Unpopular policy: Employees can cash out sick leave that is not used upon retirement. It is meant to discourage sick-leave abuse and reward long-standing service. It ended up costing $5.7 million to the city last year.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara
A new report shows that Santa Maria-Santa Barbara firefighters make some of the highest salaries in the country. Santa Barbara County firefighters earn an average annual salary of $19,040. This is nearly double the national average. But it is not all roses, however, for Santa Maria-Santa Barbara firefighters. The county's job page lists available positions. To view the application link, click on the job title. If you don't have an account, you will need to create one in order to apply. Once you're registered, you can start filling out your interest card.
Santa Maria Santa Barbara and San Jose Sunnyvale are where the highest-paid firefighters live. The salaries of firefighters are determined based upon the average wage earned by the lowest 10% in each city. Both cities offer bonuses to firefighters as part of collective bargaining agreements. Over the next two-years, firefighter salaries will increase by $1.2 million.