Firefighter salary in California: $85,120 median.
How pay for firefighters in California compares with the national figure and other states, and where in the state it is highest.
Firefighters in California earned a median of $85,120 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 44% above the national median of $59,280. California ranked 3 of 50 for this occupation's median pay, with about 31,470 people employed.
- California median
- $85,120
- $40.92/hr
- U.S. median
- $59,280
- +44% in California
- Rank among states
- 3 of 50
- by median pay
- Employed
- 31,470
- location quotient 0.78
Where in California it pays most
Data Metropolitan areas in the state with at least 30 people employed in the occupation.
States with similar pay
Data Ranked by state median, BLS May 2025.
See all states on the national Firefighter salary page.
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How this page is built
BLS OEWS state and metropolitan-area estimates for May 2025, for the occupation shown. Ranks compare state medians only.
- Cost of living, which changes what a salary is worth.
- Pay at a specific employer or for self-employed workers.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).