Kern County Fire Department Firefighter Salary
Bakersfield, California · Kern County · 535 career firefighters · 47 stations
What Kern County Fire Department pays
Entry-level starting pay
$70,969
a year
Top of posted range
$84,814
a year
Entry-level postings
2 postings
May 2026 to July 2026
Kern County Fire Department listed starting pay of $70,969 a year in 2 entry-level postings between May 2026 and July 2026, with a top of range up to $84,814. The most recent, First Responder Paramedic - Shift - Fire Shift in July 2026, started at $70,969 (up to $84,814).
Past Kern County Fire Department postings with pay
Closed postings FireJobs recorded in the last two years. Figures are as the department listed them.
| Position | Posted | Starting | Top of range |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Responder Paramedic - Shift - Fire Shift | July 2026 | $70,969 | $84,814 |
| First Responder Paramedic - Shift - Fire Shift - Full Time | May 2026 | $70,969 | $84,814 |
Kern County Fire Department pay questions
- How much does a firefighter at Kern County Fire Department make?
- Kern County Fire Department listed starting pay of $70,969 a year in 2 entry-level postings between May 2026 and July 2026, with a top of range up to $84,814. The most recent, First Responder Paramedic - Shift - Fire Shift in July 2026, started at $70,969 (up to $84,814).
- How does Kern County Fire Department pay compare with other California departments?
- The average starting salary across 57 current California firefighter listings on FireJobs is $90,440. Kern County Fire Department's most recent starting figure of $70,969 is 22% below it.
- Is Kern County Fire Department hiring right now?
- Yes. Kern County Fire Department has 2 open positions on FireJobs that list pay. Members see the salary, closing date and the application link.
Source: pay figures the department published in its own job postings, recorded by FireJobs when each posting was live. Pay changes with contracts and steps; the posting for a current opening is the figure that applies.