Firefighters Salary in Merced, CA

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

Median annual salary $65,340 +9.8% vs national
Median hourly $31.41
10th percentile $55,550
90th percentile $80,580
Employed locally 170
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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Merced, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,550
    25th
    $62,860
    50th (median)
    $65,340
    75th
    $77,450
    90th
    $80,580

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 100% Median Firefighters salary is 0% 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 Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $82,900
    Security Guards $37,580
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,020
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $98,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $120,380

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Merced?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Merced, CA is $31.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.16 or more per hour.

    Is Merced above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Merced, CA is 9.8% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $55,550 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,860.