Firefighters in California
Local pay for firefighters in California, on the same wage scale as the U.S. Growth and openings are national.
SOC 33-2011
$85,120
median pay, California
31,470
employed in California
+43.6%
vs U.S. median
+3.4%
growth, 2024–34 (U.S.)
What firefighters earn in California
California · annual wage · OEWS May 2025
Half of firefighters in California earn between $65,170 and $109,620 a year; the U.S. median is $59,280.
$52,390
P10
$65,170
P25
$85,120
MEDIAN
$109,620
P75
$136,150
P90
Pay by metro in California
$152,100
$113,700
$98,050
$95,950
$94,080
$87,400
$82,250
$81,070
$40k $120k $200k