California / Forestry and Fire Protection / Fire Fighter II

Job-title file

Fire Fighter II

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

657 employees hold this title in Forestry and Fire Protection. Median total compensation for the role is $108,746, below the department median of $111,787.

Employees: 657
Total payroll: $65.6M
Role median: $108,746
Agency median: $111,787
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

-$2,130$177,480+

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

How total compensation varies among the 657 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 Fighter II pay vs. California

Across all employers in California, the median wage for Firefighters — about 31,470 people — is $85,120. Forestry and Fire Protection pays a median base salary of $43,582 for this role, 49% below that figure — below the 10th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Forestry and Fire Protection sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$52,390

$65,170

$85,120

$109,620

$136,150

Forestry and Fire Protection median · $43,582

The bar is the range of annual wages for Firefighters 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 Firefighters — about 345,990 people — is $59,280. Forestry and Fire Protection’s median base salary is 26% below that national figure, about the 24th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$34,910

$44,490

$59,280

$77,250

$101,040

Forestry and Fire Protection median · $43,582

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 5,005 of 7,256 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 $77,827, 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 Fighter beyond California

This role is reported in 8 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $77,895 ranks #5 of 8. See Fire Fighter across all of California →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

$245,350 · 1,400

$230,171 · 232

$165,008 · 803

$104,666 · 319

$72,378 · 578

$59,990 · 1,767

$58,691 · 265

Median total compensation for comparable Fire Fighterroles 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

Dakota Roots

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$78,090

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $35,324
Overtime: $21,587
Other pay: $21,179
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,090
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Madera
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,048
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424141082503
Salary Total: $4,048
Total Pay: $78,090

Dakota Roots is a Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $78,090. They are represented by R08.

Adam Lawson

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$77,940

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $43,308
Overtime: $21,016
Other pay: $13,617
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Clara
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,354
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421161082500
Salary Total: $5,220
Total Pay: $77,940

Adam Lawson works as a Fire Fighter II for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Adam earned $77,940 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Robert Jones

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$77,007

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $37,832
Overtime: $4,932
Other pay: $34,243
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,007
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,251
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423141082901
Salary Total: $4,251
Total Pay: $77,007

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Robert Jones serves as a Fire Fighter II within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $77,007. They are represented by R08.

Sterling Mcbride

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$76,732

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $38,338
Overtime: $12,964
Other pay: $25,430
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,732
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Monterey
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $3,975
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424191082628
Salary Total: $3,975
Total Pay: $76,732

Sterling Mcbride holds the role of Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $76,732. Union affiliation: R08.

Trenton Hooper

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$76,287

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $40,963
Overtime: $17,102
Other pay: $18,222
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,287
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,004
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423121082907
Salary Total: $5,029
Total Pay: $76,287

Trenton Hooper works as a Fire Fighter II for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Trenton earned $76,287 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Johl Awerkamp

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$76,265

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $41,539
Overtime: $5,971
Other pay: $28,755
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,265
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,875
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423141082645
Salary Total: $4,875
Total Pay: $76,265

Johl Awerkamp is a Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $76,265. Union affiliation: R08.

Charles Horton

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$76,234

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $39,629
Overtime: $22,302
Other pay: $14,303
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,234
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Cruz

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,766
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421171082609
Salary Total: $4,647
Total Pay: $76,234

Charles Horton works as a Fire Fighter II for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Charles earned $76,234 in 2025. They are represented by R08.

Servando Morelos-Chavez

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$75,927

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $32,466
Overtime: $21,729
Other pay: $21,732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,927
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,464
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423131082901
Salary Total: $4,464
Total Pay: $75,927

Servando Morelos-Chavez holds the role of Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $75,927. Union affiliation: R08.

Carter Thomas

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$75,789

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $48,549
Overtime: $9,718
Other pay: $17,522
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,789
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,847
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111082602
Salary Total: $5,701
Total Pay: $75,789

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Carter Thomas serves as a Fire Fighter II within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $75,789. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Andrew Freeman

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$73,970

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $48,360
Overtime: $8,158
Other pay: $17,452
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,970
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,847
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423161082622
Salary Total: $5,701
Total Pay: $73,970

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Andrew Freeman serves as a Fire Fighter II within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,970. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Luis Navarro Perez

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$73,852

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $30,055
Overtime: $17,350
Other pay: $26,446
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,852
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Monterey
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,464
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424191082622
Salary Total: $4,464
Total Pay: $73,852

Luis Navarro Perez holds the role of Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $73,852. They are represented by R08.

Izaiah Jones

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$72,619

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $37,741
Overtime: $12,874
Other pay: $22,004
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,619
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,874
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422131082503
Salary Total: $4,874
Total Pay: $72,619

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Izaiah Jones serves as a Fire Fighter II within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $72,619. They are represented by R08.

Peter Kroeker

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$72,097

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $30,187
Overtime: $22,385
Other pay: $19,525
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,097
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Merced
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $3,975
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424141082500
Salary Total: $3,975
Total Pay: $72,097

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Peter Kroeker serves as a Fire Fighter II within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $72,097. They are represented by R08.

Nicholas Gargan

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$71,765

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $38,884
Overtime: $7,045
Other pay: $25,836
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,765
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,463
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421171082502
Salary Total: $4,463
Total Pay: $71,765

Nicholas Gargan is a Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $71,765. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Leonel Vazquez Jimenez

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$71,442

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $43,725
Overtime: $12,085
Other pay: $15,632
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,442
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,045
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423121082907
Salary Total: $5,894
Total Pay: $71,442

Leonel Vazquez Jimenez works as a Fire Fighter II for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Leonel earned $71,442 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Joel Wahl

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$70,723

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $33,981
Overtime: $14,748
Other pay: $21,993
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $70,723
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sonoma
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,687
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421141082901
Salary Total: $4,687
Total Pay: $70,723

Joel Wahl holds the role of Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $70,723. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Vincent Tam

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$70,089

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $48,298
Overtime: $4,083
Other pay: $17,708
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $70,089
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,847
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423121082709
Salary Total: $5,701
Total Pay: $70,089

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Vincent Tam serves as a Fire Fighter II within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $70,089. Union affiliation: R08.

Cody Martin

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$69,854

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $39,223
Overtime: $1,389
Other pay: $29,242
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,854
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,463
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422111082500
Salary Total: $4,463
Total Pay: $69,854

Cody Martin holds the role of Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $69,854. Union affiliation: R08.

Preston Carlson

Fire Fighter II/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$69,783

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $32,873
Overtime: $10,900
Other pay: $26,009
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,783
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,049
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423121082788
Salary Total: $4,049
Total Pay: $69,783

Preston Carlson is a Fire Fighter II at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $69,783. Their bargaining unit is R08.