Firefighters Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $74,860 +25.8% vs national
Median hourly $35.99
10th percentile $56,990
90th percentile $117,200
Employed locally 300
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,990
    25th
    $65,730
    50th (median)
    $74,860
    75th
    $103,150
    90th
    $117,200

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 78% Median Firefighters salary is 22% below 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $42,730
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $119,580
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $94,740
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $39,470
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $38,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $133,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Santa Maria, CA is $35.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.39 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Santa Maria, CA is 25.8% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $56,990 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,730.