Firefighters Salary in Chico, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chico, CA

Median annual salary $71,830 +20.7% vs national
Median hourly $34.54
10th percentile $54,120
90th percentile $96,360
Employed locally 350
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
in
Chico, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $54,120
    25th
    $59,680
    50th (median)
    $71,830
    75th
    $86,080
    90th
    $96,360

    Chico economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,574 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 105% Median Firefighters salary is 5% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Firefighters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $164,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $164,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $99,210
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $88,440

    Related occupations in Chico, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,270
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $95,890
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $36,260
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $126,140
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,780
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $100,160

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Chico?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Chico, CA is $34.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.33 or more per hour.

    Is Chico above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Chico, CA is 20.7% above the national median of $59,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Firefighters in Chico?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $54,120 per year in Chico, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,680.