How to Become a Firefighter in California (2026)
California employs about 31,470 firefighters earning a median $85,120 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Firefighter here means completing a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
California employs approximately 31,470 firefighters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $85,120 1. Nationally, firefighter employment is projected to grow 3.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 27,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Firefighter in California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: fire academy (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path
- Exam: Firefighter I/II and often EMT/NREMT
- Median wage (California): $85,120 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Firefighter in California
How to become a Firefighter in California? Complete a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path. Apply through the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do firefighters earn in California? The median annual wage for firefighters in California is $85,120 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $52,390 and experienced professionals can earn $136,150 or more 1.
How to Become a Firefighter in California
- Meet academy entry rules. Academies typically require a high school diploma or GED, a physical ability test, and a background check. Many departments require or prefer EMT.
- Complete a fire academy. Finish Firefighter I/II training through a fire academy or department. IAFF apprenticeships exist in some cities; they are not the default statewide path.
- Earn EMT when the department requires it. Many departments require a current EMT. That is a separate EMS credential.
- Apply to departments. Hiring is by fire department, not a generic statewide firefighter license. Confirm local civil-service rules.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Firefighter License Requirements in California
Firefighters in California typically complete an academy and Firefighter I/II, often with EMT. Do not treat a generic occupational license table as the path.
Typical path
Meet academy entry rules.
Complete Firefighter I/II.
Earn EMT if the department requires it.
Apply to fire departments.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Firefighter Wages by Metro Area in California
Firefighters Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), firefighters wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 7,200 | $98,050 | $108,860 | $58,710 | $150,760 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 3,450 | $113,700 | $110,590 | $77,070 | $139,590 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 3,390 | $79,160 | $84,120 | $56,410 | $108,730 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,880 | $70,900 | $74,540 | $56,830 | $99,130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 2,590 | $94,080 | $97,420 | $54,120 | $151,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,330 | $152,100 | $134,270 | $59,680 | $181,270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 780 | $72,410 | $199,490 | $49,120 | $470,940 |
| Fresno | 770 | $79,160 | $82,520 | $51,020 | $132,060 |
| Salinas | 760 | $81,070 | $82,830 | $51,540 | $122,590 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 660 | $77,400 | $72,440 | $49,760 | $97,150 |
| Visalia | 480 | $65,170 | $63,870 | $34,320 | $92,930 |
| Redding | 410 | $65,170 | $71,690 | $51,540 | $101,090 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 410 | $82,250 | $87,660 | $58,240 | $125,620 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 390 | $75,910 | $77,790 | $51,540 | $101,150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 380 | $64,980 | $71,110 | $40,590 | $99,550 |
| Chico | 350 | $71,830 | $73,300 | $54,120 | $96,360 |
| Vallejo | 330 | $95,950 | $99,530 | $46,160 | $134,370 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 320 | $79,540 | $89,710 | $65,110 | $131,710 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 310 | $87,400 | $86,410 | $41,380 | $120,820 |
| Merced | 270 | $63,940 | $68,120 | $54,120 | $91,860 |
| Modesto | 230 | $77,370 | $85,430 | $62,320 | $126,420 |
| El Centro | 180 | $46,080 | $58,430 | $34,320 | $93,530 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 110 | $55,220 | $60,990 | $45,180 | $80,170 |
| Yuba City | 110 | $80,360 | $73,390 | $38,050 | $95,810 |
| Napa | N/A | $80,260 | $78,450 | $54,120 | $102,580 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for firefighters in California? California currently employs approximately 31,470 firefighters 1. Nationally, firefighter employment is projected to grow 3.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a firefighter in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do firefighters earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for firefighters in California is $85,120, which is $25,590 above the national median of $59,530 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |