Firefighter Salary in Salinas, CA
Firefighters in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median $81,070 a year — 37% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,499 take-home, or $5,125 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Salinas, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,005
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,026
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,176
- California income tax$3,310
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,054
- Take-home pay$61,499
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Salinas, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,540 | $24.78 | $41,780 | $3,482 |
| 25th percentile | $63,920 | $30.73 | $50,807 | $4,234 |
| Median (50th) | $81,070 | $38.98 | $61,499 | $5,125 |
| 75th percentile | $95,460 | $45.89 | $70,097 | $5,841 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,590 | $58.94 | $86,291 | $7,191 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,070 buys in Salinas, CA
Prices in Salinas, CA are 9.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.46× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $61,499 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,399 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Salinas, CA has 1.8× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Salinas, CA ranks #28 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 28 | Salinas, CA | $81,070 | $61,499 | $56,399 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $152,100
- San Francisco, CA — $113,700
- Sacramento, CA — $94,080
- Los Angeles, CA — $98,050
- Fresno, CA — $79,160
- Riverside, CA — $79,160
- Bakersfield, CA — $72,410
- Oxnard, CA — $77,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Salinas, CA?
The median firefighter salary in the Salinas, CA metro area is $81,070 a year, or about $38.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,920 and $95,460.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Salinas, CA?
On the median $81,070 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $61,499 a year ($5,125 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,364 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Salinas, CA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 37% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 9.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,399 would in a typical U.S. city. Salinas, CA ranks #28 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Salinas, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Salinas, CA is $2,232 a month ($2,684 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $118,220
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $109,620
- Security Guard — $38,700