📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Firefighters Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$90,355
per year
Median
$84,178
per year
Hourly
$43.44
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$54,267
25th Percentile — Junior$73,048
50th Percentile — Median$84,178
75th Percentile — Senior$115,306
90th Percentile — Top Earners$131,999
💡 Top-earning Firefighterss in California make up to $131,999 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$79.9k
2021
$81.9k
2022
$83.9k
2023
$86.0k
2024
$88.2k
2025
$90.4k
2026
📈 Firefighters salaries in California have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong demand in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Firefighters Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $140,050 +55.0% High
San Diego $133,725 +48.0% High
San Jose $155,411 +72.0% High
San Francisco $167,157 +85.0% High
Fresno $97,583 +8.0% High
Sacramento $110,233 +22.0% High
Long Beach $131,015 +45.0% High
Bakersfield $97,583 +8.0% High
Anaheim $128,304 +42.0% High
Santa Ana $126,497 +40.0% High
Riverside $115,654 +28.0% High
Stockton $106,619 +18.0% High
Irvine $140,050 +55.0% High
San Bernardino $106,619 +18.0% High
Modesto $101,198 +12.0% High
Fontana $110,233 +22.0% High
Moreno Valley $103,908 +15.0% High
Glendale $133,725 +48.0% High
Fremont $144,568 +60.0% High
🔍
Firefighters Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Firefighterss. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $90,355 per year, California's Firefighters salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $54,267–$73,048, while experienced Firefighterss can command $115,306–$131,999.

Looking ahead, the Firefighters profession in California is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Firefighters salary in California is $90,355 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $63,630.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Firefighterss the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Firefighters employment.
  • At $90,355/year, California Firefighters salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $63,630/year.