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Forest Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Environmental Protection, Forestry, State Lands, State Parks, Water Resources, Outdoor Recreation ... The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) is recruiting for one Firefighter 2 position located at the ...

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Forest Firefighter information

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$31K

$48.9K

$69K

How much do forest firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for forest firefighter in the United States is $48,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $57,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forest firefighter?

Forest firefighters, also known as wildland firefighters, are trained professionals who respond to and suppress wildfires in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas. Their duties include controlling fires, protecting property and natural resources, and sometimes conducting controlled burns to prevent future fires. They work in physically demanding and often dangerous conditions, frequently in remote locations. Forest firefighters use specialized equipment and techniques to contain and extinguish fires, and they play a critical role in protecting the environment and public safety.

What do forest firefighters do?

A forest firefighter responds to fires in a forest area or helps throughout other regions with firefighting. Forest firefighters must maintain peak physical condition, know how to work through wildland, and be able to work as part of a team. Part of training is learning how to handle the equipment used during firefighting. In this career, you work with chemical and water pumps to put out flames. You regularly have to parachute into wildland to extinguish a fire and save anyone in the area. After extinguishing a fire, you must patrol the region to ensure there is no chance for the fire to reignite through hotspots.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forest firefighter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forest Firefighter, you need physical fitness, knowledge of fire behavior, and basic firefighting training, often supported by completion of wildland fire courses and certifications like the Red Card. Familiarity with tools such as chainsaws, pumps, hand tools, and GPS navigation systems is also essential. Strong teamwork, resilience under stress, and clear communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring personal safety, effective fire suppression, and coordinated emergency response in hazardous environments.

What are some common challenges faced by forest firefighters during wildfire season?

Forest firefighters often contend with unpredictable weather, rugged terrain, and rapidly changing fire conditions. Long shifts, physical exhaustion, and exposure to smoke and heat are typical challenges. Teamwork is crucial, as firefighters must communicate effectively and coordinate closely with others to ensure safety and successful containment. Adapting quickly and maintaining situational awareness are key to overcoming the demanding and dynamic nature of wildfire response.

What is the difference between Forest Firefighter vs Wildland Firefighter?

AspectForest FirefighterWildland Firefighter
Required CertificationsFirefighter I & II, CPR, First AidFirefighter I & II, Wildland Firefighting Certifications
Work EnvironmentForests, national parks, rural areasWildland terrains, forests, grasslands
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, forestry servicesFederal, state agencies, firefighting crews

Forest Firefighters and Wildland Firefighters share similar certifications and work environments, often operating in forested and rural areas. The main difference lies in terminology and specific job focus: Forest Firefighters may work in broader forest management, while Wildland Firefighters specialize in fighting wildfires in natural terrains. Both roles are vital in wildfire prevention and suppression, often overlapping in duties and training.

Do forest firefighters get paid a lot?

Forest firefighters typically earn a moderate salary that varies by location, experience, and agency. Entry-level positions may pay around $30,000 to $40,000 annually, with experienced firefighters earning higher wages and additional benefits such as overtime and hazard pay. The job often requires physical fitness, training, and certification in wildfire suppression techniques.

Is wildland firefighting hard to get into?

Wildland firefighting is competitive and often requires physical fitness, relevant training, and certifications such as S-130 and S-190. Entry can be challenging due to the demanding nature of the work and the need for experience or seasonal availability, but opportunities exist for motivated individuals willing to meet the requirements.

What cities are hiring for Forest Firefighter jobs?

Cities with the most Forest Firefighter job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Forest Firefighter jobs?

The top employers for Forest Firefighter jobs are:

What states have the most Forest Firefighter jobs?

States with the most job openings for Forest Firefighter jobs include:

Infographic showing various Forest Firefighter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,932 per year, or $23.5 per hour.

Lead Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot/Handcrew)

Recruitment and Hiring | US Forest Service

Bend, OR โ€ข On-site

$52K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit.
The primary purpose of this position is to perform wildland firefighting work and to lead crews performing such work. These crews perform work directly related to wildland fire suppression and control activities including suppression, preparedness, prevention, monitoring, hazardous fuels reduction, and prescribed burning.
Please see the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for Regional contacts.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-04) in the Federeal Service; OR; a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 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, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR an appropriate combination of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Served as a skilled wildland firefighter on a specialty crew (hotshot, helitack, engines, etc.) to suppress a full range of fires and/or independently, or with one or two other crew members, carried out specialized assignments such as tree felling, mop-up, patrolling and/or burnout and/or operated and maintained equipment such as a Pulaski, shovel, McLeod, ax, chainsaw, portable pumps or drip torches for fire suppression tasks.
For the GW-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GW-05) in the Federal Service; Examples of specialized experience may include: Certified in one or many technical specializations such as felling, saw repair, long line, rappelling, or water handling used in fire suppression and prescribed burning and/or directing and leading crew members in various technical operations on wildland fires and/or and serving as a wildland or prescribed fire crew member.
Selective Placement Factors:
Successfully completed the Primary NWCG Core Requirement of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) -AND- Successfully completed the additional training requirement of NWCG Course: Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).
Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.
In order to be considered for this position, copies of your Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) Master Record (or equivalent training documents) which contain documented proof of the certification or attainment of the IFPM Selective Placement Factor for this position MUST be attached to your application. Red cards are not acceptable documentation. Currency Requirement: Required to maintain currency once hired into the position. Currency of NWCG qualifications is not required for selection. If not currently qualified, the applicant must provide documented evidence that they have been fully qualified in the past, and are able to regain currency within one year of being hired. Failure to provide this documentation will result in disqualification.
Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.
For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
This position has been identified under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training. The applicant must possess these qualifications at the applicable complexity level to be considered eligible for this position.
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.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.
WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a condition of employment.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education:
Employment Type: OTHER