How Much Does a Firefighter Make in California (CA) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in California (CA)
$68,220/yr ($32.80/hr · $52,586 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$53,210 ($25.58/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$92,100 ($44.28/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$2,022.52
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$49.20/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $25.58/hr | $53,210 | −$11,309.87 | $41,900.13 | $1,611.54 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $32.80/hr | $68,220 | −$15,634.43 | $52,585.57 | $2,022.52 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $44.28/hr | $92,100 | −$24,147.65 | $67,952.35 | $2,613.55 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($27.24/hr)California ($32.80/hr)Florida ($26.41/hr)New York ($32.25/hr)Illinois ($28.63/hr)Arizona ($26.97/hr)New Jersey ($31.14/hr)Georgia ($26.69/hr)North Carolina ($26.41/hr)Washington ($31.97/hr)Pennsylvania ($27.52/hr)Ohio ($26.13/hr)Nevada ($27.24/hr)Colorado ($29.47/hr)Virginia ($29.19/hr)Massachusetts ($32.53/hr)Michigan ($26.69/hr)Tennessee ($25.58/hr)Indiana ($25.85/hr)Maryland ($30.02/hr)Minnesota ($28.91/hr)Missouri ($25.58/hr)Wisconsin ($26.97/hr)Oregon ($29.19/hr)Connecticut ($30.86/hr)Utah ($26.97/hr)South Carolina ($25.30/hr)Alabama ($24.46/hr)Louisiana ($24.74/hr)Kentucky ($24.74/hr)Oklahoma ($24.74/hr)Kansas ($25.58/hr)Iowa ($25.85/hr)New Mexico ($25.58/hr)Arkansas ($24.19/hr)Mississippi ($23.63/hr)Nebraska ($26.13/hr)Idaho ($25.85/hr)Hawaii ($30.02/hr)New Hampshire ($28.63/hr)Maine ($26.41/hr)Rhode Island ($28.36/hr)Montana ($25.58/hr)Delaware ($28.08/hr)South Dakota ($25.30/hr)North Dakota ($26.41/hr)Alaska ($30.30/hr)Vermont ($27.24/hr)West Virginia ($23.91/hr)Wyoming ($26.41/hr)