Firefighters Salary in Modesto, CA

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

Median annual salary $84,200 +41.4% vs national
Median hourly $40.48
10th percentile $45,070
90th percentile $127,040
Employed locally 360
National median $59,530

Compare Firefighters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Modesto, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Firefighters
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,070
    25th
    $71,250
    50th (median)
    $84,200
    75th
    $92,260
    90th
    $127,040

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 106% Median Firefighters salary is 6% 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 Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$38,690
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$109,770
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$40,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$104,750
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$42,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$155,550

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Modesto, CA is $40.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.78 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Modesto, CA is 41.4% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $45,070 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,250.