Also called: Forestry Technician (Fire), Seasonal Firefighter
Fights fires in forests and grasslands, digging fire lines and putting out hot spots.
Wildland firefighters work on engines, hand crews, or fuels crews, digging lines down to bare dirt, running hoses up hills, and mopping up embers. Many start as seasonal workers in college. Summers are long, hot, and unforgettable.
Federal GS pay; overtime and hazard pay often add 50%+ in busy seasons.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma, age 18+, basic wildland firefighter courses (S-130/S-190), and the 'pack test': 3 miles carrying 45 lbs in under 45 minutes.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Forestry, Fire Science, Natural Resources.
Growing about average. Wildland fire seasons are getting longer; federal wildland workforce is being reorganized (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Drones and fire maps assist; digging line, running hose and mop-up stay hard human work.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply on USAJOBS or your state forestry agency in fall and winter; they run the week of basic fire training First: Basic fire training (S-130/S-190, about a week) and the pack test
Classes: PE / strength training, Earth science, Health / first aid.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.