Firefighters Salary in California
Firefighters in California earn a median annual wage of $85,120 —43.6% above the national median of $59,280. That ranks CA #3 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.78× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for firefighters
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $100,960 | $48.54 | 12,950 | 0.60 |
| 2 | Washington | $94,520 | $45.44 | 7,560 | 0.96 |
| 3 | California | $85,120 | $40.92 | 31,470 | 0.78 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $84,130 | $40.45 | 7,500 | 0.79 |
| 5 | Illinois | $78,380 | $37.68 | 18,400 | 1.36 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $77,630 | $37.32 | 2,970 | 0.79 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $75,870 | $36.48 | 1,480 | 0.95 |
| 8 | Colorado | $74,170 | $35.66 | 6,510 | 1.02 |
| 9 | Maryland | $73,810 | $35.49 | 5,340 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $35.32 | 5,020 | 0.37 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,240 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $58,940 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in California?
The median annual wage for firefighters in California is $85,120, or $40.92 per hour. That is 43.6% above the national median of $59,280.
What is the entry-level firefighters salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $52,390 per year ($25.19/hour). The 25th percentile is $65,170.
How many people work as firefighters in California?
About 31,470 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for firefighters?
California ranks #3 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.78x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays firefighters the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $100,960 per year, followed by Washington ($94,520) and California ($85,120).