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How much do joint fires observer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for joint fires observer in the United States is $21.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Joint Fires Observers?

Joint Fires Observers (JFOs) are specially trained military personnel responsible for coordinating and directing various types of fire support, such as artillery, mortars, naval gunfire, and close air support, onto enemy targets. They serve as critical links between ground forces and supporting fire assets, ensuring that fire missions are accurate and effective while minimizing the risk of friendly fire. JFOs work closely with Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and other fire support teams to enhance the lethality and safety of military operations.

What are some of the common challenges Joint Fires Observers face in coordinating with multiple units during operations?

Joint Fires Observers (JFOs) often work in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, requiring them to coordinate effectively with various ground and air units. One common challenge is ensuring real-time communication and accuracy of information across different teams, especially when integrating artillery, aviation, and naval fire support. JFOs must be adept at quickly assessing situations, relaying target data, and adapting to changing mission parameters to prevent miscommunication and ensure mission success. Building strong working relationships and maintaining situational awareness are key to overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Joint Fires Observer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Joint Fires Observer, you need a solid understanding of fire support operations, target identification, and military tactics, often gained through specialized military training and certification. Familiarity with advanced targeting systems, communication equipment, and digital mapping tools is essential for effective mission execution. Strong situational awareness, precise communication, and teamwork are critical soft skills for coordinating complex joint operations. These skills and qualities ensure accurate and safe delivery of fire support, which is vital for mission success and minimizing friendly casualties.

What is the difference between Joint Fires Observer vs Forward Observer?

AspectJoint Fires ObserverForward Observer
CertificationsMilitary fire support and communication certificationsMilitary fire support and communication certifications
Work EnvironmentJoint military operations, often in diverse terrainsFrontline combat zones, close to troops
Employer/IndustryMilitary, defense, and joint operationsMilitary, primarily Army units
Search/Comparison IntentHigh overlap in duties and certificationsCommonly compared with Joint Fires Observer in military contexts

Both Joint Fires Observers and Forward Observers are vital military roles involving fire support coordination. While they share similar certifications and operate in military environments, Joint Fires Observers typically work across joint services in diverse terrains, whereas Forward Observers are primarily attached to Army units close to combat zones. Understanding these differences helps clarify their specific responsibilities and deployment contexts.

More about Joint Fires Observer jobs
What job categories do people searching Joint Fires Observer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Joint Fires Observer jobs are:
Joint Fires Observer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Joint Fires Observer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 12% As Needed, 7% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 76% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,178 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Joint Advanced Fires Senior Instructor Future Operations Lead - with Security Clearance

Agensys Corporation

Hurlburt Field, FL

$43K - $58K/yr

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

This role will be Onsite at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Responsibilities: * Primary Duty is to function as part of the instructor/evaluator team providing hands-on guidance, technical support, and performance evaluation of JAFQC students through all Phases of the JAFQC curriculum. * Position requires performance of platform instructor duty, including lesson plan development, research, creation of instructional aides, and lesson delivery.

* Support Advanced courses for lessons related to their specific area of expertise across the portfolio of courses presented by the 505 TTG (ACC). * Develop performance metrics, grading criteria, and evaluation standards for student measurement during practical exercises, Part Task Training, and Full Mission Training events supporting the JAFQC curriculum. * Position requires travel to support training phases at other Federated Service Schools, in addition to support for joint force exercises (Tier 1) as an Observer/Trainer or as a role player based on operations tempo and individual availability at the request of the Joint Staff J6 Joint Fires Integration Division.

* Provide fires and effects planning expertise at command and control and operational-level exercises supporting the 505 th Command and Control Wing mission in a non-interference basis to JAFQC preparation and execution. Required Qualifications: * Master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited university or college, including Service professional military education schools. * At least 24 months of experience within the past six (6) years in a joint force headquarters (Combatant Command or Joint Task Force) in a Joint Fires Element; Operations Future Plans Branch (FU-PLANS; J35); Fires and Effects Team; Strike Cell; Joint Air-Ground Integration Center; or a Service Component Operations Directorate (ie, J3 equivalent).

* Possess a minimum of 12 years of Department of Defense military experience as a commissioned officer. Must have demonstrated the ability to instruct in a military environment; it is preferred to have at least 1 year of formal platform instruction. * Completion of Professional Military Education for grade (Intermediate Developmental Education) with Joint Qualified Officer designation highly desired.

Graduate of a Service Weapons and Tactics Instructor (eg, Weapons Instructor Course, TOP GUN, etc) or Advanced Studies Group (eg, School of Advanced Military Studies) desired. * Demonstrated experience and personal expertise in operational level joint targeting and effects planning, synchronization, and development of Plans and Orders. Experience should include direct involvement in functional application of authorities and effects (ie, Joint Force Land Component; Joint Force Air Component; etc.).

* Ability to travel to various locations within and outside the continental United States (CONUS) in performance of the tasks. Travel associated with JAFQC will involve up to 50% of duty. A current US Passport is required.

* Current Top Secret/SCI clearance eligibility. Preferred Qualifications: * Prior experience with planning and execution of military activities involving Special Technical Operations at Joint Task Force, Combatant Command, or Service Component (Echelon 2) highly desired. * Prior platform instructor (academics) highly desired.

Candidates must show completion of a formal academic instructor course (or equivalent) to verify instructor credentials or attend a local Academic Instructor Course prior to assuming duties. * Priority consideration to non-aviation centric career background.

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