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Apprentice Firefighter Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Cathedral City, CA · On-site

$92K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The City of Cathedral City works in partnership with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) through the State of California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) to identify ...

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Cathedral City, CA · On-site

$92K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Recruitment Process The City of Cathedral City works in partnership with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) through the State of California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee ...

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Cathedral City, CA · On-site

$92K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The City of Cathedral City works in partnership with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) through the State of California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) to identify ...

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Cathedral City, CA · On-site

$92K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The City of Cathedral City works in partnership with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) through the State of California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) to identify ...

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Cathedral City, CA · On-site

$30.70 - $98/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The City of Cathedral City works in partnership with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) through the State of California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) to identify ...

$89.24/hr

OR - For courses in an occupation for which the District offers or has offered apprenticeship ... Experience working in Public Safety including Law Enforcement, Firefighting, etc. * Experience ...

Service Technician

Cotati, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

If you are looking for an apprentice role and want to learn a skill, this is the best opportunity ... Many Dryer Vent Wizard Service Technicians used to be firefighters. In this role, you'll help ...

Aviation Operations & Support

Ripley, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... firefighting as required; training is documented through systems such as the Joint Services ... apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the ...

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Showing results 1-20

Apprentice Firefighter information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$30

How much do apprentice firefighter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for apprentice firefighter in California is $19.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become an apprentice firefighter with no experience?

To become an apprentice firefighter with no experience, applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass physical fitness tests, and obtain relevant certifications such as CPR and first aid. Volunteering with fire departments or emergency services can also improve chances, and some departments offer paid or unpaid apprenticeship programs for entry-level candidates.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an apprentice firefighter?

To thrive as an Apprentice Firefighter, you need a solid level of physical fitness, basic knowledge of fire safety, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with firefighting gear, safety equipment, and emergency response procedures—often reinforced through ongoing training and CPR/First Aid certifications—is important. Teamwork, strong communication, a willingness to learn, and remaining calm under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure you can respond to emergencies safely, adapt quickly, and contribute effectively to the fire service team.

Is a firefighter apprenticeship paid?

Yes, firefighter apprenticeships are typically paid positions, providing a salary or hourly wage while trainees learn firefighting skills, emergency response, and safety protocols. The pay varies by location and department but generally includes compensation for the work performed during training and on duty.

What are the typical responsibilities and daily tasks of an apprentice firefighter?

Apprentice Firefighters spend much of their day participating in training exercises, learning to operate firefighting equipment, and assisting with routine station duties such as equipment maintenance and facility upkeep. They often shadow experienced firefighters on calls, gaining hands-on experience in responding to fire alarms, medical emergencies, and rescue situations. Working closely in a team, apprentices also engage in public safety demonstrations and community outreach programs. This hands-on learning approach helps develop the technical and interpersonal skills needed for a successful firefighting career.

What is an apprentice firefighter?

An Apprentice Firefighter is an entry-level position where individuals receive hands-on training and education in firefighting, emergency response, and life-saving techniques. Apprentices work under the supervision of experienced firefighters to develop essential skills, such as fire suppression, rescue operations, and equipment handling. They may also participate in classroom instruction and physical fitness training to prepare for a full-time firefighting career. This role is designed to provide practical experience while meeting the necessary qualifications for advancement within the fire service.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firefighter jobs in California?

The most popular types of Firefighter jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Apprentice Firefighter jobs in California?

For Apprentice Firefighter jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Apprentice Firefighter jobs?

Cities in California with the most Apprentice Firefighter job openings:

Infographic showing various Apprentice Firefighter job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,313 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

$44K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority

This Wildland Firefighter Apprentice position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-3/4/5 working in the following location(s):

  • Burbank, Washington
  • Columbia, South Dakota
  • Devils Lake, North Dakota
  • Hartford, Kansas
  • Willows, California
Qualifications:

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below.

Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Only experience and education obtained by close date will be considered
To Qualify for the GW-0456-03: 6 full months of general experience which consisted of: (1) Work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position (fire prevention, suppression, monitoring), or (2) Experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter (fire prevention, suppression, monitoring).
OR
Successful completion of 1 year of study above high school in an accredited college or university that included at least 6 semester hours in a combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical sciences.
OR
An appropriate combination of education and experience that equals 100%.
To Qualify for the GW-0456-04:
6 months general experience AND 6 months specialized experience. 6 full months of general experience which consisted of: farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural, soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use; or forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work; AND 6 full months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-3 level in the Federal Service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: forestry aid or technician work; range, or soil conservation technician work that involved application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices; farming or ranching work that provided a basic understanding of land use and involved the application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices; forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
OR
Successfully completed two years or more of education above high school (60 semester hour or 90 quarter hours) that included at least twelve semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science.
OR
A combination of the education and work experience described above. For example, I have three months of general experience and three months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 45 semester hours or 68 quarter hours of college study that included at least 9 semester hours courses as described above (50% of the education requirement).
To Qualify for the GW-0456-05:1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-4 level in the Federal Service demonstrated by performing range or forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include leading firefighting crews in prescribed burning and wildfire suppression field operations and performing wildland fire suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring, hazardous fuels reduction and prescribed fire as wildland firefighter crewmember
OR
Completed least a full 4-year course of study above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture or a subject-matter field directly related to the position (e.g., fire science, suppression and prevention), or that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable toward the 24 hours.
OR
Combination of education and experience that when combined meet 100% of the qualification requirements. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described in A above (50% of the experience requirement), and three years of college study from an accredited institution, which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified in B above (50% of the qualifying education). NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected).Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education:PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).Employment Type: OTHER