How much does a Firefighter Career make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Firefighter Career in California is $58,235 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Firefighter Career's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,432
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,362 to $66,190
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,925

Key Factors That Influence Firefighter Career Salaries

A Firefighter Career's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Firefighter Career Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Firefighter Career's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $40,839
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,454
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,578
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $68,428
  • Expert (over 8 years): $68,237
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Contact Center Representative I - Outbound less than 1 year $40,839
Contact Center Representative II - Outbound 1-2 years $46,454
Firefighter Career 2-4 years $56,578
Contact Center Representative IV - Outbound 5-8 years $68,428
Outbound Contact Center Supervisor over 8 years $68,237

Top Paying Cities for Firefighter Career

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $58,335
  • West Hollywood: $58,293
  • Dodgertown: $58,335

Firefighter Career Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Firefighter Career roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 33% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Firefighter Career positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Firefighter Career as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Firefighter Career

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $68,717 $33.0 18%
Internet $65,223 $31.0 12%
Energy & Utilities $64,058 $31.0 10%
Biotechnology $61,146 $29.0 5%
Financial Services $61,146 $29.0 5%

Firefighter Career Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Firefighter Career's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$53,362
Average $58,235/year
$66,190
$4,447
Average $4,853/month
$5,516
$1,026
Average $1,120/week
$1,273
$26
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,190 $5,516 $1,273 $32
Average $58,235 $4,853 $1,120 $28
25th Percentile $53,362 $4,447 $1,026 $26

Find Your Next Firefighter Career Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Firefighter Career job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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