Career guide · California
How to Become a Female Firefighter in California
51 active openings· pay $42k–$298k/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 | 170 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
51 live openings, updated weekly from official agency boards.
Fire Protection Engineer
Valar Atomics · Torrance, CA
Fire Captain
St. Paul · El Segundo, CA
Firefighter/Paramedic Lateral
City of Piedmont · Oakland, CA
Firefighter Intern (Part Time)
National Steel and Shipbuilding Com · San Diego, CA
Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal (LDCFM)
University of California, Riverside · Riverside, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)
Department of Agriculture · Redding, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Type 1 WFM Assistant)
Department of Agriculture · Camp Connell, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot/Handcrew)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dozer Operator)
Department of Agriculture · Arcadia, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Prevention)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Specialist)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operation)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Aviation Dispatch GACC)
Department of Agriculture · Redding, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Senior Firefighter)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (GACC Logistics Coordinator)
Department of Agriculture · Redding, California, CA
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)
Department of Agriculture · Redding, California, CA
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)
Department of Agriculture · Redding, California, CA
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Type 1 WFM Supervisor)
Department of Agriculture · Camp Connell, California, CA
Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operation)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Fire Engine Operator)
Department of Agriculture · Acton, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Specialist)
Department of Agriculture · Bridgeport, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Fire Operations Specialist)
Department of Agriculture · Bridgeport, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Airtanker Base Support)
Department of Agriculture · Chester, California, CA
Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)
Department of Agriculture · Redding, California, CA
Showing 25 of 51. See all California openings →
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