Firefighter Salary in Sacramento, CA
Firefighters in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $94,080 a year — 59% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $69,272 take-home, or $5,773 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Sacramento, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,868
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,833
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,364
- California income tax$4,520
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,223
- Take-home pay$69,272
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Sacramento, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,120 | $26.02 | $43,665 | $3,639 |
| 25th percentile | $71,950 | $34.59 | $55,968 | $4,664 |
| Median (50th) | $94,080 | $45.23 | $69,272 | $5,773 |
| 75th percentile | $127,150 | $61.13 | $88,925 | $7,410 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,020 | $72.61 | $102,710 | $8,559 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $94,080 buys in Sacramento, CA
Prices in Sacramento, CA are 6.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.30× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $69,272 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,941 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Firefighter jobs are about as common in Sacramento, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Sacramento, CA ranks #4 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $87,980 | $67,561 | $63,868 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $98,050 | $71,644 | $63,086 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $82,820 | $63,139 | $60,948 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,050 | $61,342 | $59,814 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: firefighters
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $113,700
- Los Angeles, CA — $98,050
- Riverside, CA — $79,160
- San Diego, CA — $70,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Sacramento, CA?
The median firefighter salary in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $94,080 a year, or about $45.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,950 and $127,150.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Sacramento, CA?
On the median $94,080 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $69,272 a year ($5,773 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,743 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 59% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 6.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,941 would in a typical U.S. city. Sacramento, CA ranks #4 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sacramento, CA is $1,812 a month ($2,241 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Sacramento, CA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $111,460
- Security Guard — $39,460