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State comparison · 2025

Firefighters salary: California vs Maine

Occupation

Firefighters in California earn a median of $85,120. In Maine, $48,290. After cost-of-living, the gap is 54.6% — not 76.3%.

Nominal pay gap
+76.3%
California vs Maine
COL-adjusted gap
+54.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Firefighters

Median
$85,120
p25
$65,170
p75
$109,620
p10
$52,390
p90
$136,150
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
See full breakdown for California

Maine

Firefighters

Median
$48,290
p25
$43,420
p75
$59,290
p10
$35,740
p90
$63,740
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
97.1
See full breakdown for Maine

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.