Does CAL Fire pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, CAL Fire employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at CAL Fire. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at CAL Fire?

67% of CAL Fire employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated CAL Fire 3.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.6 for culture and values and 4.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at CAL Fire?

Firefighter (30) , Firefighter/EMT (29) , Fire Captain (14) , Fire Apparatus Engineer (10) , Fire Fighter Ff1 Seasonal (10) , Firefighter/Paramedic (7) , Firefighter I (6) , Wildland Firefighter (5) , Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) (4) , Seasonal Firefighter I (4) , Analyst (3) , Communications Operator (3) , Staff Services Analyst (3) , Accountant (2) , Accountant Trainee (2)

What are the pros of working at CAL Fire according to real employee reviews?

"It’s the state so benefits are good" ((in 17 reviews)); "Helping the community and being surrounded by great people." ((in 11 reviews)); "Great opportunities to serve the public." ((in 6 reviews)); "Good retirement and benifits but they cost alot" ((in 5 reviews)); "Great career excellent co workers" ((in 4 reviews))

What are the cons of working at CAL Fire according to real employee reviews?

"Long hours and encountering dangerous situations" ((in 16 reviews)); "Low pay and excessive workweek schedule as compared to peer fire agencies." ((in 15 reviews)); "Management is horrible." ((in 7 reviews)); "Lots of forced overtime." ((in 5 reviews)); "No work/life balance." ((in 3 reviews))

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CAL Fire

CAL Fire Reviews

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3.8

67% would recommend to a friend

(207 total reviews)

Joe Tyler

85% approve of CEO

63% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.0

Career opportunities

3.8

Compensation and benefits

3.7

Diversity and inclusion

3.6

Culture and values

3.3

Senior management

3.0

Work/Life balance

CAL Fire has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 207 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The CAL Fire employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government and public administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

207 reviews

5.0

10 Oct 2025

People centered

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Growth, team environment, culture, training

Cons

Not applicable, great career choice

5.0

18 Mar 2025

Great Job

Fire captain

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Good pay and benefits and retirement.

Cons

Long hours away from family.

5.0

15 Jan 2025

Great place

Fire captain

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Only reason to be unhappy is if you don't work hard and move to the program that you want to work in.

Cons

Extended time on incidents and at the station.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 207 Reviews

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Jobs at CAL Fire

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

OFFICE TECHNICIAN (TYPING)

FORESTER I (NONSUPERVISORY)

COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

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