Firefighters Salary in Modesto, CA
Firefighters in Modesto, CA make a median of $84,200 a year, or about $40.48 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $80,876 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 33.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $84K get you in Modesto?
About firefighters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Modesto, CA
Entry-level firefighters (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K.Top earners bring in $127K or more - a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Firefighters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $93K | +57% | 8,000 |
| New York | $88K | +48% | 14,730 |
| New Jersey | $88K | +47% | 6,590 |
| California | $83K | +40% | 27,580 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | +33% | 1,430 |
| Illinois | $79K | +33% | 14,510 |
| Connecticut | $78K | +30% | 2,860 |
| Oregon | $73K | +23% | 3,660 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +23% | 11,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | +20% | N/A |
| Maryland | $71K | +19% | 5,250 |
| Rhode Island | $69K | +17% | 1,590 |
| Nevada | $67K | +13% | 2,360 |
| Montana | $64K | +8% | 960 |
| Alaska | $63K | +6% | 1,040 |
Track firefighters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Modesto numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $84,200 a year - that works out to about $40.48 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,070, and experienced firefighters can clear $127,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,304/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a firefighters salary go in Modesto?
Modesto has a Regional Price Parity of 104.11 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median firefighters salary is worth about $80,876 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do firefighters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.