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Missouri Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2017, 519 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across Missouri — and 177 were entry-level (no experience needed). Here's where the crews are and how to pick one.

Wondering about the pay? See how much wildland firefighters make. Base by grade, plus overtime, hazard, and incident pay.

22 jobs open in Missouri right now (4 entry-level) →

When they hire

Most Missouri jobs get posted in August, July, September. Federal fire hiring runs in the fall and winter for the next summer — so apply early, months before fire season.

Who hires

  • Forest Service (475)
  • National Park Service (27)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (11)
  • Office of the Secretary of the Interior (6)

Crew types posted

  • Helitack (68)
  • Dispatch (47)
  • Fuels / Rx fire (34)
  • Hand crew (19)
  • Engine crew (17)

The types of crews — what they do & how big

Typical crew sizes and duties (general fire-world norms, not specific to one posting).

Hotshot crew · 20-person crew

Hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand.

Not entry-level Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Smokejumpers · elite; a few bases

Parachute into remote fires that crews can't reach by road.

Not entry-level At least one full fire season to apply; most have several.

Helitack · small modules

Get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack.

Not entry-level Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Engine crew · 3–10 per engine

Drive fire engines to the fire, pump water, and run hose lays.

✅ Entry-level No experience needed — a classic first job.

Hand crew · ~18–20 per crew

Dig fireline by hand with tools.

✅ Entry-level No experience needed — the classic first job.

Fuels / Rx fire · varies

Thin brush and run planned (prescribed) burns to cut wildfire risk before it starts.

✅ Entry-level Entry-level seasonal roles are common.

Dispatch · support role

Coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line.

Not entry-level A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Where the crews are in Missouri

The towns that hire most. "Entry-level per year" is the typical number of no-experience roles posted in a normal season — your best read on how many spots there are and how many other rookies you'd be with.

↓ Skip to the 22 jobs open now in Missouri

Doniphan, Missouri

169 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 8 entry-level spots a year (71 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

7
'18
13
'19
8
'20
8
'21
10
'22
7
'23
8
'24
7
'25
3
'26
0
'27

Salem, Missouri

164 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 7 entry-level spots a year (66 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

7
'18
10
'19
12
'20
5
'21
6
'22
9
'23
7
'24
7
'25
3
'26
0
'27

Potosi, Missouri

158 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 8 entry-level spots a year (74 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

8
'18
10
'19
9
'20
8
'21
11
'22
9
'23
7
'24
7
'25
5
'26
0
'27

Houston, Missouri

158 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 7 entry-level spots a year (65 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

7
'18
9
'19
9
'20
8
'21
8
'22
7
'23
6
'24
7
'25
4
'26
0
'27

Rolla, Missouri

156 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 6 entry-level spots a year (47 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
8
'19
9
'20
4
'21
9
'22
8
'23
5
'24
2
'25
2
'26
0
'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

147 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 7 entry-level spots a year (63 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

6
'18
10
'19
7
'20
7
'21
10
'22
5
'23
8
'24
7
'25
3
'26
0
'27

Ava, Missouri

141 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 7 entry-level spots a year (61 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

8
'18
12
'19
8
'20
5
'21
6
'22
7
'23
5
'24
7
'25
3
'26
0
'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Kansas City, Missouri, Missouri

76 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 26 entry-level spots a year (26 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.
  • 2 jobs open in Kansas City, Missouri right now →

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
0
'19
0
'20
0
'21
0
'22
0
'23
0
'24
0
'25
26
'26
0
'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Smokejumpers — parachute into remote fires that crews can't reach by road. At least one full fire season to apply; most have several.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Puxico, Missouri

58 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 3 entry-level spots a year (13 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
0
'19
0
'20
0
'21
0
'22
3
'23
4
'24
3
'25
3
'26
0
'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Van Buren, Missouri

27 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (10 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

1
'18
1
'19
1
'20
1
'21
1
'22
2
'23
1
'24
1
'25
1
'26
0
'27

Cassville, Missouri

25 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 3 entry-level spots a year (11 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
0
'19
0
'20
0
'21
0
'22
1
'23
2
'24
6
'25
2
'26
0
'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

  • Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Doniphan, Missouri, Missouri

11 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 2 entry-level spots a year (5 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.
  • 8 jobs open in Doniphan, Missouri right now →

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
0
'19
0
'20
0
'21
0
'22
0
'23
0
'24
0
'25
2
'26
3
'27

Houston, Missouri, Missouri

11 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 2 entry-level spots a year (5 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.
  • 8 jobs open in Houston, Missouri right now →

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
0
'19
0
'20
0
'21
0
'22
0
'23
0
'24
0
'25
2
'26
3
'27

Salem, Missouri, Missouri

11 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 2 entry-level spots a year (5 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.
  • 8 jobs open in Salem, Missouri right now →

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

0
'18
0
'19
0
'20
0
'21
0
'22
0
'23
0
'24
0
'25
2
'26
3
'27

Mound City, Missouri

10 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (9 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, July, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
  • Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

1
'18
1
'19
1
'20
1
'21
1
'22
1
'23
1
'24
2
'25
0
'26
0
'27

Bars count entry-level postings by fire season — the summer you'd work. Federal fire jobs are posted the fall and winter before (peak Aug–Oct), so each season's bar includes everything hired for that summer, not the calendar date it was posted. The "per year" figure averages complete seasons 2018–2026. Counts come from federal USAJOBS announcements; one regional announcement can list many towns, so these show how often a town appears — a strong signal of where the work is, not an exact headcount.

Missouri wildland firefighter jobs open right now

22 open postings in Missouri, live from USAJOBS.

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Fire Chief, Geographic Area)

Location Negotiable After Selection · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$129,549–$168,420/yr GW-14 Apply by Sep 18

💰 ~$187K–$312K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Suppression)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

🌱 Entry level · no experience $44,112–$62,955/yr GW-3–4 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$67K–$112K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Air Tactical Group Supervisor ATGS)

Location Negotiable After Selection · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Specialist)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Job Corps Assistant Fire Management Officer JCAFMO)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Handcrew)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$62,570–$87,899/yr GW-7–8 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$94K–$158K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Handcrew)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$57,670–$81,343/yr GW-6–7 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$87K–$146K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$62,570–$87,899/yr GW-7–8 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$94K–$158K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$72,832–$94,687/yr GW-9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$105K–$175K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Job Corps Fire & Fuels Training Specialist)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Senior Firefighter)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

🌱 Entry level · no experience $48,424–$68,844/yr GW-4–5 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$73K–$123K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Lead Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Fire Engine Operator)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$52,957–$74,970/yr GW-5–6 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$80K–$134K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

🌱 Entry level · no experience $44,112–$68,844/yr GW-3–5 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$71K–$118K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Specialist)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Engine Operation)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$57,670–$81,343/yr GW-6–7 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$87K–$146K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Dispatcher)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

🌱 Entry level · no experience $48,424–$81,343/yr GW-4–7 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$81K–$136K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Lead Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot/Handcrew)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$52,957–$74,970/yr GW-5–6 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$80K–$134K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Fuels Management)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$57,670–$81,343/yr GW-6–7 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$87K–$146K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Lead Wildland Firefighter (Helitack)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$57,670–$81,343/yr GW-6–7 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$87K–$146K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (District/Zone Assistant Fire Management Officer)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Dispatch Center Manager)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$94,687/yr GW-8–9 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$102K–$170K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Supervisory Wildland Fire Fighter (Fire Engine Operator)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$62,570–$87,899/yr GW-7–8 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$94K–$158K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

🔥 Get new wildland fire jobs by email

The government posts new fire jobs most Mondays. Every Tuesday morning we email you the new ones, so you can apply first. 107 jobs are open right now.

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Wildland firefighter jobs in other states

California (57 open, 5 entry-level) Oregon (48 open, 3 entry-level) Idaho (43 open, 4 entry-level) Washington (40 open, 3 entry-level) South Dakota (39 open, 7 entry-level) Colorado (38 open, 4 entry-level) Wyoming (37 open, 6 entry-level) Montana (36 open, 4 entry-level) Utah (35 open, 3 entry-level) Arizona (32 open, 4 entry-level) New Mexico (32 open, 3 entry-level) Nevada (30 open, 5 entry-level) Tennessee (28 open, 4 entry-level) North Carolina (25 open, 3 entry-level) Florida (23 open, 3 entry-level) South Carolina (22 open, 3 entry-level) Alaska (20 open, 3 entry-level) Minnesota (20 open, 4 entry-level) Michigan (20 open, 4 entry-level) Kentucky (20 open, 3 entry-level) Virginia (19 open, 4 entry-level) Illinois (19 open, 4 entry-level) Texas (18 open, 4 entry-level) Mississippi (18 open, 3 entry-level) Georgia (17 open, 3 entry-level) Louisiana (16 open, 3 entry-level) Arkansas (14 open, 4 entry-level) Wisconsin (14 open, 4 entry-level) West Virginia (13 open, 3 entry-level) North Dakota (12 open, 3 entry-level) Alabama (12 open, 3 entry-level) Indiana (11 open, 4 entry-level) Nebraska (11 open, 3 entry-level) Oklahoma (9 open, 3 entry-level) New Hampshire (8 open, 4 entry-level) Ohio (8 open, 3 entry-level) Vermont (8 open, 3 entry-level) Pennsylvania (7 open, 4 entry-level) New York (2 open) Kansas (1 open)

Have questions?

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