Career guide · California
How to Become a Female Firefighter in California
97 active openings· pay $42k–$198k/yr
New to this path? Start with the firefighter career guide →
Know your readiness score — free
See exactly where you stand against CPAT standards before you apply. Built for women, scored against real numbers.
Get your free Firefighter readiness assessmentCalifornia Firefighter requirements
The core documents and certifications most California departments expect from firefighter candidates:
- ✓Valid driver's license
- ✓Birth certificate or passport
- ✓High school diploma / GED
- ✓EMT-Basic certification
- ✓CPR / BLS certification
- ✓CPAT completion certificate
- ✓Firefighter I certification
- ✓Firefighter II certification
- ✓Physical exam clearance letter
- ✓Background check authorization
CPAT fitness standards
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) benchmarks. Women pass these at high rates when they train to them specifically — here are the minimum and target numbers:
| Event | Minimum | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Push-Ups | 25 reps | 40 reps |
| Pull-Ups | 3 reps | 8 reps |
| Sit-Ups (1 min) | 25 reps | 40 reps |
| 1.5-Mile Run | 15:30 | 13:00 |
| Stair Climb (Step Mill Hold) | 200 sec | 240 sec |
| Victim Drag (165 lbs, 35 ft) | 35 sec | 25 sec |
Take the free assessment → to see your gap on each event.
The California hiring process
Insight from tracked California departments like Los Angeles Fire Department.
high
Competitiveness
7,000
Est. applicants
Where California candidates fall short
4 common failure points and 4 insider tips for California departments are inside the app. Unlock the full hiring intel →
Open firefighter jobs in California
97 live openings, updated weekly from agency boards and job aggregators.
Wildland Firefighter
Department of Agriculture · Bridgeport, California, CA
FIREFIGHTER
U.S. Marine Corps · Bridgeport, CA
Senior Fire Engineer
Henderson Engineers · Los Angeles, CA
Field Leader - USFS Wildland Fire Academy Fuels Team
Student Conservation Association · Sacramento, CA
Wildland Fire Academy Field Leader
Student Conservation Association · Sacramento, CA
Fire Captain
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection · Sacramento, CA
Fire Prevention Battalion Chief — Lead Safety & Communities
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL F... · Sacramento, CA
Fire Captain: Lead Engine Crews and Fire Ops
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL F... · Sacramento, CA
Firefighter (Basic Life Support)
Department of the Army · Concord, California, CA
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC
City of Cathedral City · Cathedral City, CA
FIREFIGHTER (PARAMEDIC)
U.S. Marine Corps · Twentynine Palms, CA
Firefighter (Basic Life Support)
Department of the Army · Concord, California, CA
Fire Captain
Fire Services · Santa Ynez, CA
Firefighter (PARAMEDIC)
Department of Defense · Tracy, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter
National Interagency Fire Center · Rialto, CA
Firefighter/Paramedic
Pala Band of Mission Indians · Pala, CA
Firefighter - Paramedic
Morongo Band of Mission Indians · Banning, CA
FIRE CAPTAIN
State of California · Santa Clara, CA
Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority
Office of the Secretary of the Interior · Sacramento, CA
Telework-Eligible Wildland Firefighter
Office of the Secretary of the Interior · Sacramento, CA
Wildland Firefighter - Direct Hire Authority
US Government Jobs · Whiskeytown, CA
Fire Engineer
City of Montclair · Montclair, CA
Firefighter Paramedic
Sycuan Tribal Government · El Cajon, CA
FIRE FIGHTER
California State Jobs · Napa, CA
Frontline Wildland Firefighter - Fire Suppression & Rescue
US Office of the Secretary of the Interior · Sacramento, CA
Showing 25 of 97. See all California openings →
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