California / Forestry and Fire Protection / Fire Captain

Job-title file

Fire Captain

Respond to fires and emergencies, perform rescue and medical aid, and carry out prevention and inspection.

2,782 employees hold this title in Forestry and Fire Protection. Median total compensation for the role is $174,959, above the department median of $111,787.

Employees: 2,782
Total payroll: $466M
Role median: $174,959
Agency median: $111,787
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

-$5,038$284,334+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 2,782 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Fire Captain pay vs. California

Across all employers in California, the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — about 8,170 people — is $127,630. Forestry and Fire Protection pays a median base salary of $91,863 for this role, 28% below that figure — about the 18th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Forestry and Fire Protection sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$80,910

$100,450

$127,630

$169,380

$204,160

Forestry and Fire Protection median · $91,863

The bar is the range of annual wages for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers across every employer in California, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Forestry and Fire Protection’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — about 99,140 people — is $93,530. Forestry and Fire Protection’s median base salary is 2% below that national figure, about the 48th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$53,430

$72,140

$93,530

$119,500

$140,010

Forestry and Fire Protection median · $91,863

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the California range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 2,558 of 2,876 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Forestry and Fire Protection is $175,601, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare jurisdictions

Fire Captain beyond California

This role is reported in 19 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $175,601 ranks #6 of 19. See Fire Captain across all of California →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

$402,076 · 748

$352,297 · 181

$329,749 · 575

$246,977 · 330

$235,922 · 46

$163,213 · 257

$149,775 · 31

$144,755 · 50

Median total compensation for comparable Fire Captainroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Todd Davison

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$110,271

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $40,399
Overtime: $18,476
Other pay: $51,396
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,271
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,290
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423131095533
Salary Total: $6,629
Total Pay: $110,271

Todd Davison is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $110,271. They are represented by R08.

Elias Silver

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$109,781

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $58,116
Overtime: $21,968
Other pay: $29,698
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,781
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Placer
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,506
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422161095522
Salary Total: $7,656
Total Pay: $109,781

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Elias Silver serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $109,781. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Paul Klinefelter

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$109,573

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $64,331
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $45,242
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,573
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Lassen
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422341095067
Salary Total: $8,421
Total Pay: $109,573

Paul Klinefelter is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $109,573. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Adrian Hairston

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$108,909

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $59,061
Overtime: $12,336
Other pay: $37,511
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,909
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Clara
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,196
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421161095535
Salary Total: $5,196
Total Pay: $108,909

Adrian Hairston holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $108,909. They are represented by R08.

Warren Skrifvars Jr

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$107,883

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $49,559
Overtime: $2,152
Other pay: $56,173
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,883
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Monterey
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,307
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424191095545
Salary Total: $6,898
Total Pay: $107,883

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Warren Skrifvars Jr serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $107,883. Union affiliation: R08.

Drake Martin

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$106,651

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $50,758
Overtime: $18,458
Other pay: $37,434
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,651
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sonoma
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,949
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421161095008
Salary Total: $5,099
Total Pay: $106,651

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Drake Martin serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $106,651. They are represented by R08.

Tracy Colburn

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$104,709

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $48,564
Overtime: $2,858
Other pay: $53,287
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,709
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,936
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423321095162
Salary Total: $7,572
Total Pay: $104,709

Tracy Colburn is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $104,709. They are represented by R08.

Steven Knolle

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$104,484

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $61,489
Overtime: $17,724
Other pay: $25,270
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,484
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,829
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421331095053
Salary Total: $7,783
Total Pay: $104,484

Steven Knolle is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $104,484. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Jack Volk

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$104,288

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $62,027
Overtime: $17,865
Other pay: $24,397
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,288
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,542
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421371095025
Salary Total: $6,692
Total Pay: $104,288

Jack Volk holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $104,288. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Michael Watt

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$104,279

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $46,726
Overtime: $2,864
Other pay: $54,689
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,279
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,276
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423401095051
Salary Total: $8,426
Total Pay: $104,279

Michael Watt works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Michael earned $104,279 in 2025. They are represented by R08.

Nathan Welch

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$104,040

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $66,579
Overtime: $9,081
Other pay: $28,380
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,040
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,491
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424111095625
Salary Total: $6,479
Total Pay: $104,040

Nathan Welch is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $104,040. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Britany Kaufman

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$102,289

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $59,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $42,781
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,289
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Calaveras
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424181095533
Salary Total: $7,844
Total Pay: $102,289

Britany Kaufman holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $102,289. They are represented by R08.

Edward Facio

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$101,534

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $48,302
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $53,232
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,534
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Tulare

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424331095049
Salary Total: $9,057
Total Pay: $101,534

Edward Facio holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $101,534. They are represented by R08.

Jim Davis

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$100,300

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $11,627
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $88,673
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,300
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,276
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422391095008
Salary Total: $9,171
Total Pay: $100,300

Jim Davis works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Jim earned $100,300 in 2025. They are represented by R08.

Matthew Tarango

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$100,121

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $60,463
Overtime: $15,795
Other pay: $23,863
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,121
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,934
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423131095511
Salary Total: $5,936
Total Pay: $100,121

Matthew Tarango holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $100,121. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Apolonio Rodriguez

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$99,913

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $64,124
Overtime: $1,185
Other pay: $34,603
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,913
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423551095003
Salary Total: $8,421
Total Pay: $99,913

Apolonio Rodriguez works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Apolonio earned $99,913 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Miguel Vasquez

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$97,906

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $60,105
Overtime: $16,523
Other pay: $21,278
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,906
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,934
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424111095516
Salary Total: $5,936
Total Pay: $97,906

Miguel Vasquez is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $97,906. They are represented by R08.

James King

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$97,842

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $39,212
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $58,631
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,842
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Ventura
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423431095016
Salary Total: $9,184
Total Pay: $97,842

At Forestry and Fire Protection, James King serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $97,842. Union affiliation: R08.

Roger Buck

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$97,057

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $55,443
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $41,614
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,057
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,075
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423351095142
Salary Total: $7,720
Total Pay: $97,057

Roger Buck is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $97,057. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Jeffrey Hohn

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$96,858

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $56,745
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $40,114
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,858
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Amador
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420291095006
Salary Total: $8,113
Total Pay: $96,858

Jeffrey Hohn is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $96,858. Union affiliation: R08.

Hector Hernandez

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$96,486

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $60,463
Overtime: $12,155
Other pay: $23,867
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,486
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,934
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423131095531
Salary Total: $5,936
Total Pay: $96,486

Hector Hernandez is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $96,486. Union affiliation: R08.