Job title · SOC 33-2011

Wildland Firefighter

Also known as: hotshot firefighter

Overview

Sourced

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

O*NET definition of Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.

323,560

in government (SOC 33-2011)

94%

of this occupation works for government

$60,050

median pay in government

Federal · State

levels of government

Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 33-2011, including Fire Engineer / Driver-Operator, Firefighter, Firefighter/Paramedic.

Titles employers use

Fire EngineerFire Equipment OperatorFiremanWildland FirefighterFire Rescue Technician (Fire Rescue Tech)Fire Technician (Fire Tech)Forest Fire Suppression SpecialistForestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech)Hot ShotRescue Firefighter

How people usually get in Editorial

seasonal hire + pack test + basic wildland training. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 33-2011)

Education needed to enter: Postsecondary nondegree award
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

Less than a High School Diploma

11%

High School Diploma or the equivalent

70%

Post-Secondary Certificate

12%

Some College Courses

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

Bachelor's Degree

Share of surveyed workers in Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) naming each level as required to be hired, 23 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

How to get hired

Sourced

Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Most firefighters receive training at a fire academy. Other credential requirements, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, vary by state or locality.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Firefighters”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 33-2011: Long-term on-the-job training

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Federal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a federal general schedule; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

GS-5/7 entry (Pathways / recent grad)
Career-ladder promotions to full-performance level (GS-9/11/12/13)
GS-14/15 (competitive)
Senior Executive Service
within-grade steps 1–10 (steps 2–4 yearly, 5–7 every 2 yrs, 8–10 every 3 yrs)
special rates: LEO (LEAP 25%), FAA ATC AT-bands, TSA SV bands, VA Nurse I–V

Source: GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

$63,270

State

$64,980

Local

$59,850

All government

$60,050

Private sector

$38,330

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	7,430	$49,440	$55,640	$63,270	$70,490	$78,060
State	13,470	$38,800	$51,540	$64,980	$81,000	$94,700
Local	302,670	$35,560	$45,480	$59,850	$78,010	$102,660
All government	323,560	$35,700	$45,810	$60,050	$77,930	$101,840
Private sector	22,430	$28,580	$33,250	$38,330	$47,720	$66,540

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Wildland Firefighter in 24 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Arizona	Firefighter 1–2 2 classes · effective July 9, 2022 · Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division	$25,510 – $51,308
Arkansas	Firefighter I–II, Forest Ranger I–II 4 classes · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management	$47,397 – $77,163
California	Fire Fighter I–II, Fire Fighter II (Paramedic) 4 classes · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)	$41,600 – $79,356
Colorado	Firefighter Trainee, Firefighter I–VIII 9 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR)	$52,668 – $168,996
Connecticut	Firefighter 1 class · effective June 26, 2026 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources	$77,998 – $96,768
Florida	Firefighter, Forest Ranger, Senior Forest Ranger 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management	$34,760 – $111,189
Georgia	Firefighter, Firefighter Non Exempt 2 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$28,571 – $43,475
Louisiana	Forestry Crew Specialist 1–2 2 classes · effective August 19, 2024 · Louisiana Department of State Civil Service	$28,579 – $61,880
Maine	Forest Ranger II 1 class · effective June 28, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources	$62,462 – $85,946
Massachusetts	Firefighter 2 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD)	$59,769 – $95,913
Mississippi	Forest Ranger I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Mississippi State Personnel Board	$24,023 – $46,020
Missouri	Firefighter 1 class · effective July 1, 2025 · Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Personnel	$34,992 – $73,392
Nevada	Firefighter I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$49,152 – $81,808
New Mexico	Wildland Firefighter, Senior Wildland Firefighter, Lead Wildland Firefighter 3 classes · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$42,773 – $85,396
New York	Forest Ranger 1–4 4 classes · effective April 1, 2026 · New York State Department of Civil Service	$64,796 – $113,292
North Carolina	Firefighter 1 class · effective February 1, 2026 · North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR)	$37,377 – $65,408
Ohio	Fire Fighter 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation	$48,422 – $55,203
Oklahoma	Forest Ranger I–III 3 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management	$27,320 – $127,058
Oregon	Firefighter 1 class · Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office – Classification & Compensation	$73,848 – $115,572
South Carolina	Wildland Firefighter 1 class · South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources	$34,476 – $55,182
South Dakota	Wildland Firefighter 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes	$40,082 – $60,112
Tennessee	Lead Firefighter 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources	$54,744 – $81,900
Utah	Fire Fighter II, National Guard, Fire Fighter III, National Guard 2 classes · effective June 21, 2025 · Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$39,042 – $63,586
Wyoming	Firefighter I–II, Senior Firefighter 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division	$39,499 – $75,962

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 24 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

37%

Irregular

58%

Seasonal

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

69%

40 hours

More than 40 hours

31%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.4.5
Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.4.4
Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.4.4
Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.4.3
Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.4.3
Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.4.3
Search to locate fire survivors.4.3
Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.4.2
Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.4.2
Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.4.2

The 10 most important of 29 core tasks for Firefighters, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

Exams by name

Sourced

Exam	Administered by	Used in	Type	Official page
Work Capacity Test (WCT) - Pack Test Pack Test for arduous duty: 3-mile hike over level terrain carrying a 45-lb pack in 45 minutes or less; Field Test (2-mile, moderate) and Walk Test (1-mile, light) for other duty levels (per the USFS WCT brochure linked from this page).	USDA Forest Service / National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)	US	physical	Official page

Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.

Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
New York	12,950	$56,390	$100,960	$106,440
Washington	7,560	$47,640	$94,520	$123,980
California	31,470	$52,390	$85,120	$136,150
New Jersey	7,500	$47,920	$84,130	$123,940
Illinois	18,400	$38,900	$78,380	$106,060
Connecticut	2,970	$51,320	$77,630	$85,500
District of Columbia	1,480	$61,050	$75,870	$99,760
Colorado	6,510	$47,000	$74,170	$114,170
Maryland	5,340	$48,030	$73,810	$98,770
Pennsylvania	5,020	$48,620	$73,460	$89,190
Massachusetts	11,940	$49,730	$72,800	$98,130
Oregon	3,790	$38,800	$70,900	$104,070
Rhode Island	1,620	$56,110	$67,380	$76,620
Nevada	2,640	$47,600	$66,570	$101,450
Indiana	8,530	$38,460	$62,780	$81,890
Nebraska	1,070	$46,660	$61,040	$69,460
Texas	28,170	$40,020	$60,180	$77,170
Ohio	18,100	$34,420	$59,370	$84,010
Montana	1,010	$32,810	$59,310	$76,620
Arizona	7,500	$36,700	$59,280	$88,220
Alaska	1,040	$35,520	$58,830	$82,360
Virginia	11,160	$38,310	$58,670	$77,310
Florida	24,570	$37,260	$58,550	$93,310
Wyoming	680	$39,550	$58,090	$78,760
New Hampshire	2,700	$35,450	$56,620	$78,570
Iowa	2,170	$32,240	$55,810	$87,720
North Dakota	820	$39,700	$55,080	$77,530
Michigan	6,610	$37,190	$54,640	$78,550
Oklahoma	4,150	$31,620	$49,710	$77,560
Tennessee	7,020	$33,910	$49,300	$70,460
Missouri	6,580	$31,140	$49,080	$79,360
Utah	2,870	$27,660	$48,310	$80,320
Maine	2,480	$35,740	$48,290	$63,740
South Dakota	610	$39,240	$48,160	$61,420
Alabama	7,260	$29,770	$47,600	$76,190
Idaho	2,240	$30,280	$47,320	$81,190
Wisconsin	8,120	$29,390	$46,850	$77,050
Delaware	560	$41,960	$46,710	$72,160
Georgia	12,700	$33,000	$46,550	$61,510
Vermont	Not published	$29,790	$46,430	$77,200
Kansas	3,360	$32,810	$45,900	$76,110
South Carolina	7,780	$29,130	$42,570	$62,150
New Mexico	2,420	$31,200	$41,590	$57,780
Arkansas	2,480	$28,680	$39,690	$60,860
Minnesota	5,810	$27,510	$38,110	$70,380
North Carolina	19,410	$29,360	$37,940	$61,940
West Virginia	900	$29,020	$37,350	$51,390
Kentucky	5,150	$27,870	$37,150	$60,720
Mississippi	2,920	$26,850	$35,880	$51,310
Louisiana	5,230	$22,510	$33,120	$56,670

50 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan/tier and formula, retirement age/years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b), PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union, current CBA (source link, effective dates)
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonus, inter-agency moves
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
L4 directory: every employer that hires this job, each with its own facet values
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyFire & Rescue

LevelFederal, State

Pay structureFederal grade and step

Occupation code33-2011 Firefighters

PreparationVery Little to Some Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division — Arizona State Personnel System Job Titles with Pay Ranges and Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arizona state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management — Arkansas Executive Branch Pay Tables and Class Code List

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arkansas state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) — California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (California state government publication, CalHR); facts republished with a link to the source

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources — Connecticut State Employee Compensation Plans and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Connecticut state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management — Florida State Personnel System — Broadband Crosswalk (September 2026), Pay Grades and Broadband Pay Ranges (July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Florida state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation — Georgia State Salary Plans (SWD and LAW) with Job Profiles — September 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Georgia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Louisiana Department of State Civil Service — Louisiana State Civil Service Pay Plan (Public Version) and Pay Schedules AS, MS, PS, SS, TS, WS

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Louisiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources — Maine State Government — Job Classification Specifications and Salary Schedules (BHR Salary Schedule Center)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Maine state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD) — Massachusetts Executive Branch Bargaining Unit Job Codes and Salary Charts

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Massachusetts government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Mississippi State Personnel Board — Mississippi Variable Compensation Plan FY 2027 and MSPB Career Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Mississippi state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Personnel — Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System — Pay Plan Structures and Class Occupational Details (effective July 1, 2025)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Missouri state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Nevada Classified Service — Class Specifications and Compensation Schedules (Pay Policy 01 EE/ER and 06), effective July 1, 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Nevada state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification — New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (New Mexico state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New York State Department of Civil Service — New York State Title and Salary Plan (Title and Salary Listing) and negotiating-unit salary schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Title listing: OPEN-NY Terms of Use (data.ny.gov) — free use for any lawful purpose, no attribution or share-alike required; salary schedules and title file on cs.ny.gov: public record (New York State government publications); facts republished with a link to the source

North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) — North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (North Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record) — Official exam administrator pages

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public web pages; facts only (names, administrators, formats) with a link to the official page

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation — Ohio State Classification Plan — Pay Range Booklet and Pay Range Schedules (rates effective July 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Ohio state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management — Oklahoma Pay Structures for State Employees (effective 08/30/2026) and OMES Job Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oklahoma state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office – Classification & Compensation — Oregon Classification and Compensation: Job Profiles and Monthly Salary Rates by Representation

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oregon state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources — South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes — South Dakota Class Code Master and FY27 Pay Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Dakota state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR) — State of Colorado Pay Plan FY 2026-27 — Pay Plan with Steps, State Troopers and Medical Pay Plan

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Colorado state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division — State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure — 2024 Market Rates (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wyoming state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Tennessee Department of Human Resources — Tennessee DOHR Alpha Comp Plan (September 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Tennessee state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Utah DHRM Public Job Descriptions: job salary ranges

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Utah state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobsWiki — GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240)

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed September 30, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

Wildland Firefighter

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

Exams by name

By state

Not yet collected