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Fire Protection Engineer Salary in San Diego, CA

How much does a fire protection engineer make in San Diego? Explore median, entry-level, and senior salaries adjusted for San Diego's cost of living.

Median Salary
$110,100
per year in San Diego
Entry Level
$66,763
Starting salary
Senior Level
$151,094
Experienced professionals
Cost of Living
159
59% above national avg

Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

See how fire protection engineer salaries break down across different pay periods in San Diego.

PeriodEntry LevelMedianSenior
Annual$66,763$110,100$151,094
Monthly$5,564$9,175$12,591
Biweekly$2,568$4,235$5,811
Weekly$1,284$2,117$2,906
Hourly$32$53$73

San Diego vs National Average

How San Diego's fire protection engineer salaries compare to national figures.

San Diego Salary
$110,100
COL Index: 159
National Average
$76,780
COL Index: 100
Difference
+$33,320
Higher in San Diego

Cost of Living in San Diego

1-Bedroom Rent
$2,300
per month
Median Income
$69,845
per year
Population
1,423,851
residents
Rent % of Income
39.5%
median household
Cost of Living Index: 159 — A score of 100 represents the U.S. average. Salaries in San Diego have been adjusted to account for local cost differences.

About Fire Protection Engineer

Overview

Design fire protection systems and ensure building safety.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection or Civil Engineering

Key Skills

Fire Systems DesignSafety CodesFire ScienceBuilding Systems

Growth Rate

Expected job growth: +16% over the next decade

Compare Cities: Fire Protection Engineer Salary

See Fire Protection Engineer salaries in other top cities.

New York, NY
$124,330
+13%
Los Angeles, CA
$124,970
+14%
Chicago, IL
$114,850
+4%
Houston, TX
$127,920
+16%
Phoenix, AZ
$113,680
+3%

Financial Tools to Explore

Use these Pulsafi calculators to understand your finances based on a fire protection engineer salary in San Diego.

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Cost of Living Calculator

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Rent vs Buy Calculator

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Fire Protection Engineer Salary in San Diego, CA — Complete Guide

Median Salary Overview

The median salary for a fire protection engineer in San Diego, CA is $110,100 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 159. This figure reflects typical earnings for experienced professionals in this role, considering San Diego's unique economic conditions.

Salary Range and Experience Levels

Entry-level fire protection engineer professionals in San Diego can expect to earn around $66,763 annually. As professionals gain experience, salaries typically increase, with senior-level fire protection engineers earning approximately $151,094 per year. This represents a 126% increase from entry to senior level.

Cost of Living Adjustment

San Diego's cost of living index of 159 significantly impacts salary comparisons. As a higher cost-of-living city, salaries in San Diego are adjusted accordingly. This means that while the nominal salary may appear higher or lower than the national average of $76,780, the actual purchasing power must be considered in context.

Housing and Affordability

A significant portion of a fire protection engineer's salary in San Diego typically goes toward housing. With a 1-bedroom apartment averaging $2,300 per month, housing represents about 25.1% of median salary. Financial experts generally recommend keeping housing expenses below 30% of gross income.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Fire Protection Engineers are in growing demand across the United States, with an expected job growth of 16% over the next decade. In San Diego, this translates to increasing opportunities and potential for salary growth as demand for experienced professionals continues to rise.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024Metro-level wage data for this occupation and area
Data source: Salary data on this page are sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program May 2024 estimates. Figures are approximate and intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and local market conditions. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. For the most current wage data, visit bls.gov.