# WoodlandFireFighter

> How to land a wildland firefighting job with zero experience — written by a college student heading out for his first U.S. Forest Service fire season in Montana this summer. Live federal jobs data, honest pay breakdowns, and a free rookie guide.

## Key facts
- Base pay by grade (from real GW postings): GW-3 ≈ $20.93/hr, GW-4 ≈ $22.97/hr, GW-5 ≈ $25.12/hr, GW-6 ≈ $27.36/hr, GW-7 ≈ $29.68/hr. Base is the smallest part of the paycheck.
- Total earnings stack base + overtime (1.5× on all fire hours) + hazard (+25% on the fireline) + incident pay and per diem (only on days deployed away from home on a multi-day fire — incident pay up to $9,000/yr; per diem $68/day, you keep what you don't spend). For an entry GW-4, a typical 6-month season totals about $59,000 — roughly $38,000 in a slow year and up to about $90,000 in a big fire year. Higher grades run higher (GW-7 ≈ $107,000 typical).
- The job needs only a high-school diploma or GED — no college degree — plus basic fire training (S-130/S-190) and the work-capacity ("pack") test. Felonies are not an automatic disqualifier (case-by-case background check).
- Most entry jobs are temporary "1039" appointments: about five to six months (under 1,040 base hours per year, not counting overtime).
- Health insurance: seasonal/temporary firefighters can enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program — 200+ plans, government pays ~70%+ of the premium, no pre-existing-condition exclusions — now with the same government contribution as permanent employees.
- Career ladder: entry crewmember (GW-2 to 4) → senior firefighter/engine operator (GW-4 to 5) → squad boss/engine captain/crew boss (GW-6 to 7) → superintendent/module leader (GW-8+). Hotshot and smokejumper are specialized tracks entered after a season.

## Main pages
- [Wildland Firefighter Jobs](https://www.woodlandfirefighter.com/wildland-firefighter-jobs): live federal openings from USAJOBS, refreshed hourly, with pay, grade, and location.
- [Wildland Firefighter Salary](https://www.woodlandfirefighter.com/wildland-firefighter-salary): full pay breakdown — base plus overtime, hazard, and incident pay — by experience level and state, with cited .gov sources.
- [Fire Lookout Jobs](https://www.woodlandfirefighter.com/fire-lookout-jobs): live fire lookout openings and how the job works.
- [Free Mini-Guide](https://www.woodlandfirefighter.com/#get-the-guide): how to land a wildland firefighting job with zero experience.