Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $85,120 | $62,011 | +37% |
| Median hourly wage | $40.92 | $29.81 | +37% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $76,893.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Firefighter in California is $85,120, or about $40.92 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Firefighters is $62,011. California is +37% above the national median.
Entry-level firefighters in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 31,470 firefighter jobs on record and a median salary of $85,120, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.