California ranks 4th of 50 states and D.C. for firefighters pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($93,490) by $10,090 — a 12% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $51,580 to $143,830 — a $92,250 spread, 38% wider than the national $66,840 range.
Firefighters are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.71 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.41× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $51,580 | $24.80 |
| 25th percentile | $67,080 | $32.25 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,400 | $40.10 |
| 75th percentile | $120,300 | $57.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,830 | $69.15 |
| Mean (average) | $98,200 | $47.21 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $83,400 | n/a |
| Washington | $93,490 | +12% |
| New York | $88,380 | +6% |
| New Jersey | $87,660 | +5% |
| District of Columbia | $79,430 | -5% |
| Illinois | $79,080 | -5% |
| Connecticut | $77,660 | -7% |
| Colorado | $76,560 | -8% |
| Oregon | $73,270 | -12% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $83,350 | 7,840 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $83,820 | 168,180 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $84,530 | 12,460 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $84,550 | 6,520 |
| Cost Estimators | $84,610 | 25,580 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $82,100 | 11,260 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Firefighters salary in California?
The mean firefighters salary in California is $98,200 per year. The median (middle) salary is $83,400 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Firefighters in California?
Entry-level firefighterss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $51,580 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $67,080 per year.
What is the highest Firefighters salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $143,830 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $120,300 per year.
How does the California Firefighters salary compare to the national average?
The median firefighters salary in California is $83,400, which is +40% above national average of $59,530.