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 4

James Derington

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$128,780

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $64,616
Overtime: $3,944
Other pay: $60,220
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,780
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,416
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111095621
Salary Total: $7,143
Total Pay: $128,780

At Forestry and Fire Protection, James Derington serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $128,780. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Clinton Dyer

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$128,719

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $91,863
Overtime: $776
Other pay: $36,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,719
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421171095628
Salary Total: $7,652
Total Pay: $128,719

Clinton Dyer holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $128,719. They are represented by R08.

Nicholas Parker

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$128,673

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $86,068
Overtime: $8,691
Other pay: $33,913
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,673
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Madera
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,559
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424141095632
Salary Total: $7,520
Total Pay: $128,673

Nicholas Parker is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,673. Union affiliation: R08.

Joseph Fletcher

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$128,444

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $91,863
Overtime: $500
Other pay: $36,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,444
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421141095001
Salary Total: $7,652
Total Pay: $128,444

Joseph Fletcher works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Joseph earned $128,444 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Ian Bianchi

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$128,427

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $128,427
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,427
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424111095002
Salary Total: $8,383
Total Pay: $128,427

Ian Bianchi is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,427. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Elisha De Vita

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$128,298

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $74,602
Overtime: $23,745
Other pay: $29,952
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,298
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,750
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421131095515
Salary Total: $6,731
Total Pay: $128,298

Elisha De Vita works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Elisha earned $128,298 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Michael Cearley

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$128,286

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,056
Overtime: $150
Other pay: $36,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,286
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Amador
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420291095038
Salary Total: $7,652
Total Pay: $128,286

Michael Cearley is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,286. Union affiliation: R08.

Henry Mott

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$127,966

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $71,839
Overtime: $25,298
Other pay: $30,829
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,966
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,230
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423141095019
Salary Total: $6,224
Total Pay: $127,966

Henry Mott holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $127,966. Union affiliation: R08.

Nicholas Burtman

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$127,932

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $90,290
Overtime: $2,142
Other pay: $35,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,932
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111095610
Salary Total: $7,652
Total Pay: $127,932

Nicholas Burtman holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $127,932. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Frank Nguyen

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$127,818

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $86,668
Overtime: $6,968
Other pay: $34,182
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,818
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,199
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423121095222
Salary Total: $7,715
Total Pay: $127,818

Frank Nguyen holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $127,818. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Miles Falappino

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$127,129

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $80,980
Overtime: $11,850
Other pay: $34,299
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,129
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,927
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421111095507
Salary Total: $7,077
Total Pay: $127,129

Miles Falappino is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $127,129. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Chris Richins

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$127,018

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $66,009
Overtime: $349
Other pay: $60,661
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,018
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,075
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422431095008
Salary Total: $7,720
Total Pay: $127,018

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Chris Richins serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $127,018. They are represented by R08.

Christopher Morales

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$127,014

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $72,995
Overtime: $24,932
Other pay: $29,087
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,014
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Tulare
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,230
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424161095508
Salary Total: $6,224
Total Pay: $127,014

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Christopher Morales serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $127,014. They are represented by R08.

Bernabe Lozano

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$126,838

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $10,976
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $115,862
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,838
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,075
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424321095002
Salary Total: $7,862
Total Pay: $126,838

Bernabe Lozano holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $126,838. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Homer Garza

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$126,752

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $126,752
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,752
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,276
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421371095025
Salary Total: $9,271
Total Pay: $126,752

Homer Garza holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $126,752. Union affiliation: R08.

Erik Peterson

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$126,695

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $79,173
Overtime: $16,218
Other pay: $31,305
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,695
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,101
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111095907
Salary Total: $7,073
Total Pay: $126,695

Erik Peterson is a Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $126,695. Union affiliation: R08.

Nicholas Guidry

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$126,680

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $88,184
Overtime: $3,798
Other pay: $34,697
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,680
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sonoma
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,559
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421141095545
Salary Total: $7,520
Total Pay: $126,680

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Nicholas Guidry serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $126,680. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Bryan Schwartz

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$126,307

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $126,307
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,307
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,416
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421111095523
Salary Total: $6,758
Total Pay: $91,259

Bryan Schwartz works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Bryan earned $126,307 in 2023. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Marnie Gedney

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$126,107

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $77,033
Overtime: $18,470
Other pay: $30,604
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,107
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,748
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111095604
Salary Total: $6,729
Total Pay: $126,107

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Marnie Gedney serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $126,107. Union affiliation: R08.

Christopher Perondi

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$125,907

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $75,837
Overtime: $19,923
Other pay: $30,147
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,907
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,427
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111095602
Salary Total: $6,416
Total Pay: $125,907

Christopher Perondi works as a Fire Captain for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Christopher earned $125,907 in 2025. They are represented by R08.

Jerrod Markle

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$125,766

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $80,351
Overtime: $13,653
Other pay: $31,763
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,766
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,756
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421171095513
Salary Total: $6,737
Total Pay: $125,766

Jerrod Markle holds the role of Fire Captain at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $125,766. Their bargaining unit is R08.

William Arsenault

Fire Captain/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$125,543

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $72,417
Overtime: $24,262
Other pay: $28,864
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,543
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,230
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424111095532
Salary Total: $6,224
Total Pay: $125,543

At Forestry and Fire Protection, William Arsenault serves as a Fire Captain within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $125,543. Union affiliation: R08.