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Firefighters Salary in California

What Firefighters earn in California, labor market by labor market, and what is left after taxes and living costs in 2 counties.

Average in CA
$89,491
local median wages, weighted
Rank among states
3 of 12
published states
Workers in state
29,830
BLS employment estimate
Wage areas
1
2 counties

Pay by labor market in California

Firefighters pay by wage area in California
Wage areaMedian wageTake-home payMargin per yearLargest county
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$98,050$72,532$34,097Los Angeles County, CA

Counties ranked by what is left after the basics

Firefighters in California counties, by yearly margin
#CountyMedian wageTake-home payMargin per year
1Los Angeles County, CA$98,050$72,532$34,097
2Orange County, CA$98,050$72,532$31,601

Firefighters pay in California

The employment-weighted average of local median wages for Firefighters in California is $89,491, based on 29,830 workers. Among the 12 states with published data, that ranks number 3. The BLS national median for the occupation is $59,280, so California averages 51.0% above it.

Published data for California currently covers the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area, with a local median wage of $98,050.

Cost of living for Firefighters in California

We compare 2 California counties after federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics: a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline. Los Angeles County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin, $34,097. Orange County, CA leaves the smallest, $31,601. The median wage covers all four basics in 2 of the 2 counties.

Firefighters in other states

The states with the highest average local median wages for Firefighters are New York ($100,566), New Jersey ($99,317), Illinois ($77,461) and Indiana ($72,366).

Frequently asked questions: Firefighters in California

How much do Firefighters earn in California?

The employment-weighted average of local median wages is $89,491.

Which California county is best for Firefighters?

Los Angeles County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes and the four basics ($34,097). Orange County, CA follows at $31,601.