California Median
$85,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+44% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#3 of 50
31,470 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in California?
Firefighters in California take home a median of $85,120 annually — roughly $40.92 an hour — which runs 44% above the national median of $59,280.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $52,390 while the top 10% make $136,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,170 and $109,620 a year.
Firefighter salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,390 | $25.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,170 | $31.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $85,120 | $40.92 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $109,620 | $52.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,150 | $65.46 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 50 states and territories for Firefighter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Firefighter salary in other states
New York $100,960Washington $94,520New Jersey $84,130Illinois $78,380Connecticut $77,630District of Columbia $75,870Colorado $74,170Maryland $73,810Pennsylvania $73,460Massachusetts $72,800Oregon $70,900Rhode Island $67,380Nevada $66,570Indiana $62,780Nebraska $61,040Texas $60,180Ohio $59,370Montana $59,310Arizona $59,280Alaska $58,830Virginia $58,670Florida $58,550Wyoming $58,090New Hampshire $56,620Iowa $55,810North Dakota $55,080Michigan $54,640Oklahoma $49,710Tennessee $49,300Missouri $49,080Utah $48,310Maine $48,290South Dakota $48,160Alabama $47,600Idaho $47,320Wisconsin $46,850Delaware $46,710Georgia $46,550Vermont $46,430Kansas $45,900South Carolina $42,570New Mexico $41,590Arkansas $39,690Minnesota $38,110North Carolina $37,940West Virginia $37,350Kentucky $37,150Mississippi $35,880Louisiana $33,120
Working as a Firefighter in California
Nationally, about 346,000 people work as Firefighters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($85,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Firefighter make in California?
The median Firefighter salary in California is $85,120 per year, or about $40.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,390 at the entry level to $136,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Firefighters about 44% more than the national median of $59,280. California ranks 3rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Firefighters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $85,120 a year. About 31,470 Firefighters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Firefighter salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.