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Forest Fire Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Forest Ranger I - Area 32

Jackson, MS · On-site

$30K - $40K/yr

This is routine work involved in serving as a member of a forest fire suppression crew in an assigned area of the state. The work involves working as a member of a crew in preventing and suppressing ...

Forest Ranger I - Area 43

Jackson, MS · On-site

$30K - $40K/yr

This is routine work involved in serving as a member of a forest fire suppression crew in an assigned area of the state. The work involves working as a member of a crew in preventing and suppressing ...

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Forest Fire information

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$31K

$105.6K

$183K

How much do forest fire jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for forest fire in the United States is $105,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forest firefighter?

To thrive as a Forest Firefighter, you need strong physical fitness, knowledge of fire behavior, and usually completion of specialized training programs such as S-130/S-190 Wildland Firefighter certification. Familiarity with fire suppression tools, GPS navigation, and communication systems is essential for effective operations. Teamwork, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure are crucial soft skills in this high-risk environment. These capabilities are vital for protecting lives, property, and natural resources while ensuring safety during wildfire incidents.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in forest fire management, and how can they prepare for them?

Professionals in forest fire management often face unpredictable and rapidly changing conditions, including extreme weather, difficult terrain, and long hours during peak fire season. Effective teamwork, strong communication skills, and physical fitness are crucial for overcoming these challenges. Preparation involves regular training, staying up-to-date with the latest firefighting techniques, and maintaining readiness for deployment at short notice. Additionally, professionals must be adaptable and able to make quick decisions to ensure both personal safety and the protection of natural resources.

What is the difference between Forest Fire vs Firefighter?

AspectForest FireFirefighter
Primary RolePreventing, managing, and suppressing wildfires in forested areasResponding to various fires, including structural and wildfires, in different environments
Required CertificationsWildfire suppression training, firefighting certifications, possibly forestry or environmental trainingFirefighter certification, EMT/paramedic licenses, rescue training
Work EnvironmentForests, wilderness areas, outdoor terrainsUrban, suburban, and rural areas, including buildings and outdoor scenes
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, forestry services, environmental organizationsFire departments, emergency services, government agencies

While both roles involve firefighting skills, a Forest Fire specialist focuses on wildfires in natural settings, requiring specific wildfire training. Firefighters handle a broader range of fire emergencies across various environments. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What is a forest firefighter?

Forest firefighters, also known as wildland firefighters, are professionals trained to combat and manage fires that occur in forests, grasslands, and other wild areas. Their responsibilities include suppressing wildfires, creating fire lines, conducting controlled burns, and assisting in evacuation efforts to protect people, wildlife, and natural resources. Forest firefighters often work in challenging outdoor conditions and may use specialized equipment and techniques to control and prevent the spread of fires. They also participate in fire prevention education and post-fire recovery operations.
More about Forest Fire jobs
What cities are hiring for Forest Fire jobs? Cities with the most Forest Fire job openings:
What states have the most Forest Fire jobs? States with the most job openings for Forest Fire jobs include:
Infographic showing various Forest Fire job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 53% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,577 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Wildland Firefighter Apprentice

US Department of the Interior

Willows, CA • On-site

$44K/yr

Other

Posted 11 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

412th of 842 rated public administrative organizations


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

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