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Firefighters Salary in California
Ranked #1 of 50 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of firefighterss in California earn between $52,390 and $136,150. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean firefighters salary in California is $95,090, about 49.4% above the U.S. average ($63,630). That works out to roughly $46/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $152,100 | $134,270 | 1,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $113,700 | $110,590 | 3,450 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $98,050 | $108,860 | 7,200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,950 | $99,530 | 330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,080 | $97,420 | 2,590 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $87,400 | $86,410 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $82,250 | $87,660 | 410 |
| Salinas, CA | $81,070 | $82,830 | 760 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do firefighters make in California?
The median firefighters salary in California is $85,120 per year (mean $95,090), and about 80% earn between $52,390 and $136,150.
How much do firefighters make per hour in California?
Roughly $46 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $95,090 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for firefighters?
California ranks #1 of 50 states for firefighters pay. Its mean salary of $95,090 is about 49.4% above the U.S. average of $63,630.
Which metro areas in California pay firefighters the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for firefighters are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($152,100), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($113,700), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($98,050), by median annual wage.