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Wildland Firefighter Jobs

37 open listings · updated Sep 13, 2026

Median posted pay $63,964/yr (23 listings) · 22% include housing · Pay report

Wildland firefighter jobs are posted by federal agencies (U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), state agencies such as CAL FIRE, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and private contractors that staff Type 2 hand crews and engines.

More About Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Entry-level positions are on hand crews and engines. Hotshot crews, helitack, smokejumpers and rappellers require prior seasons and additional qualifications. All fireline positions require the basic red card training (S-130, S-190, L-180 and the arduous-level work capacity test, a 3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes).

Federal seasonal hiring happens on USAJOBS, with most announcements open from October through January for the following summer. State agencies and contractors hire from January through April. Federal entry-level firefighters were paid on the GS-3 to GS-5 scale before the 2024 pay reforms raised base pay; overtime and hazard pay on assignment typically push a full season to $30,000 to $50,000. Contract crews commonly pay $18 to $26 per hour plus overtime.

Seasons run roughly May through October in the West, with Alaska and the Southwest starting earlier. Crew housing or barracks are provided by many federal units and by most contractors during assignments.

Questions About Wildland Firefighter Jobs

How many Wildland Firefighter jobs are open right now?

37 listings are live on WildWork as of September 13, 2026. 35 state their pay and 8 include housing.

What do Wildland Firefighter jobs pay?

The median posted rate is $63,964/yr across 23 current listings that state pay in that unit, with posted rates from $53,534/yr to $89,888/yr. These are advertised rates; tips, overtime and room and board are extra where the listing says so.

Do Wildland Firefighter jobs come with housing?

22% of current listings say the employer provides housing, free or at a charge, and 0% include meals. Each listing shows whether housing is included and what it costs when the employer says.

How do I get hired as a wildland firefighter with no experience?

Apply to federal seasonal announcements on USAJOBS between October and January, and to state agencies and private contractors from January through April. Entry-level hand crew and engine positions require no prior fire experience. You will complete S-130, S-190 and L-180 and pass the arduous pack test during training. Being in strong hiking shape by spring is the single biggest factor.

How much do wildland firefighters make?

Base pay for entry-level federal positions is on the GS-3 to GS-5 scale, with permanent pay increases enacted in 2024. Overtime, which is constant during fire season, and hazard pay on the line push a full season to roughly $30,000 to $50,000. Hotshot and smokejumper seasons pay more. Contract crews pay $18 to $26 per hour plus overtime, but only when dispatched.

When is wildland fire season?

In most of the West, fire season runs May through October, with peak activity in July, August and September. Alaska’s season starts in May and ends by August. The Southwest starts in April and slows when the monsoon arrives in July. Contract crews work when dispatched, so income depends on how busy the season is.

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