Best cities for a fire chief
The best cities for fire chiefs are Sacramento, CA, San Francisco, CA, and Oakland, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for fire chiefs vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for fire chiefs in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a fire chief or considering a move, this list of the best cities for fire chiefs to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for fire chiefs. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a fire chief. While the absolute best city for fire chiefs is Sacramento, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for fire chiefs in 2024.
If you're looking for a fire chief job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for fire chiefs in 2025
1. Sacramento, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $111,370 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 10.53 2. San Francisco, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $113,187 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $210,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Oakland, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $112,860 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $209,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Fremont, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $112,473 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. San Jose, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $112,309 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $208,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Fort Wayne, IN
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $86,680 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Stockton, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $111,406 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $207,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Fresno, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $109,202 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $203,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Bakersfield, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $106,302 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $195,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Anaheim, CA
Total fire chief jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $103,630 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for fire chiefs
- Sacramento, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Anaheim, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a fire chief
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $111,370 | $59,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $113,187 | $60,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $112,860 | $60,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $112,473 | $60,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $112,309 | $60,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 6 | Fort Wayne, IN | $86,680 | $48,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 7 | Stockton, CA | $111,406 | $59,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 8 | Fresno, CA | $109,202 | $58,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 9 | Bakersfield, CA | $106,302 | $57,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 10 | Anaheim, CA | $103,630 | $56,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $84,488 | $48,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 12 | Indianapolis, IN | $83,791 | $46,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $104,356 | $57,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 14 | Santa Ana, CA | $103,478 | $56,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 15 | Long Beach, CA | $103,845 | $57,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 16 | Irvine, CA | $103,301 | $56,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 17 | Riverside, CA | $103,152 | $56,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 18 | San Diego, CA | $102,237 | $56,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 19 | Chula Vista, CA | $102,122 | $56,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 20 | Durham, NC | $77,554 | $41,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 21 | Greensboro, NC | $76,183 | $41,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $79,351 | $44,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 23 | Virginia Beach, VA | $87,351 | $47,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $77,683 | $42,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 25 | Norfolk, VA | $87,101 | $47,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 26 | Jersey City, NJ | $86,757 | $50,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 27 | Chesapeake, VA | $86,827 | $47,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 28 | Newark, NJ | $86,676 | $50,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 29 | Islip, NY | $87,050 | $50,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 30 | Hempstead, NY | $87,048 | $50,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 31 | New York, NY | $86,878 | $50,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 32 | Brookhaven, NY | $86,855 | $50,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 33 | Winston-Salem, NC | $75,456 | $40,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 34 | Oyster Bay, NY | $86,820 | $50,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 35 | Tucson, AZ | $75,160 | $41,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 36 | Glendale, AZ | $74,984 | $41,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 37 | Chandler, AZ | $74,963 | $41,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 38 | Phoenix, AZ | $74,930 | $41,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 39 | Gilbert, AZ | $74,925 | $41,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 40 | Mesa, AZ | $74,868 | $41,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 41 | Scottsdale, AZ | $74,783 | $41,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 42 | Charlotte, NC | $73,434 | $39,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 43 | Tampa, FL | $70,405 | $38,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 44 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $70,383 | $38,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 45 | Nashville, TN | $61,857 | $34,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 46 | Buffalo, NY | $78,539 | $44,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 47 | Orlando, FL | $70,306 | $38,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 48 | Cleveland, OH | $61,267 | $34,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 49 | Jacksonville, FL | $69,387 | $38,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 50 | Detroit, MI | $63,409 | $35,000 | 672,795 | - |
Highest paying cities for fire chiefs
| Rank | City | Avg. fire chief salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $111,370 |
| 2 | Reston, VA | $88,751 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $86,878 |
| 4 | Lakeland, FL | $70,366 |
| 5 | Kingsport, TN | $67,164 |
| 6 | Elmhurst, IL | $66,637 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $60,005 |
| 8 | Keller, TX | $58,343 |
| 9 | Farmington, NM | $56,478 |
| 10 | Cincinnati, OH | $55,794 |
| 11 | Reno, NV | $55,276 |
| 12 | Wentzville, MO | $49,213 |
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Updated January 8, 2025