SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Firefighters in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California, CA is $65,170 per year, 9.9% above the national median of $59,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Firefighters in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California, CA is $65,170 per year, 9.9% above the national median of $59,280. Half of workers earn between $56,270 and $86,920. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $45,780 and the ninetieth at $95,280.
Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $152,100. Of the 275 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 110th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,780 | −22.8% |
| 25th | $56,270 | −5.1% |
| Median (50th) | $65,170 | +9.9% |
| 75th | $86,920 | +46.6% |
| 90th | $95,280 | +60.7% |
| Mean | $69,240 | +16.8% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $152,100 | 1,330 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $113,700 | 3,450 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $98,050 | 7,200 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $95,950 | 330 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $94,080 | 2,590 | |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $87,400 | 310 | |
| 7 | Santa Maria | $82,250 | 410 | |
| 8 | Salinas | $81,070 | 760 | |
| 9 | Yuba City | $80,360 | 110 | |
| 10 | Napa | $80,260 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $65,170 buys what $58,871 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,871US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,170 a year, 9.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,780 to $95,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $152,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $65,170, or $31.33 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,280, so pay in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California, CA is 9.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California, CA earns more than $95,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,780 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $152,100 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data