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South Carolina Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2017, 450 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across South Carolina — and 134 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 South Carolina right now (3 entry-level) →

When they hire

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

Who hires

  • Forest Service (401)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (35)
  • Army Installation Management Command (7)
  • Office of the Secretary of the Interior (4)

Crew types posted

  • Fuels / Rx fire (34)
  • Dispatch (34)
  • Helitack (29)
  • Engine crew (16)
  • Hand crew (11)

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 South Carolina

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 South Carolina

New Ellenton, South Carolina

190 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 8 entry-level spots a year (68 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
10
'19
11
'20
7
'21
11
'22
13
'23
9
'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.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Huger, South Carolina

160 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 5 entry-level spots a year (49 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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):

2
'18
5
'19
9
'20
6
'21
15
'22
3
'23
4
'24
2
'25
3
'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.

Whitmire, South Carolina

126 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 5 entry-level spots a year (46 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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):

2
'18
7
'19
6
'20
5
'21
10
'22
5
'23
4
'24
3
'25
4
'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.

Mountain Rest, South Carolina

125 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 5 entry-level spots a year (42 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
8
'19
4
'20
5
'21
6
'22
3
'23
4
'24
2
'25
4
'26
0
'27

Edgefield, South Carolina

115 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 4 entry-level spots a year (38 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
6
'19
3
'20
5
'21
7
'22
4
'23
6
'24
4
'25
2
'26
0
'27

Columbia, South Carolina

40 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (11 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
3
'19
2
'20
1
'21
1
'22
1
'23
1
'24
1
'25
1
'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.

Clemson, South Carolina

16 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (1 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
0
'23
0
'24
0
'25
1
'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.

McBee, South Carolina

14 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (7 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
1
'21
1
'22
1
'23
1
'24
2
'25
1
'26
0
'27

Hardeeville, South Carolina

12 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (6 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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
2
'20
1
'21
1
'22
1
'23
1
'24
0
'25
0
'26
0
'27

Huger, South Carolina, South Carolina

12 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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.
  • 11 jobs open in Huger, South Carolina 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
0
'26
2
'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.

New Ellenton, South Carolina, South Carolina

12 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

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
0
'26
3
'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.
  • Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Whitmire, South Carolina, South Carolina

10 postings since 2017

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 1 entry-level spot a year (3 in all since 2017).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, March — 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 Whitmire, South Carolina 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
1
'26
2
'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.

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.

South Carolina wildland firefighter jobs open right now

22 open postings in South Carolina, live from USAJOBS.

Wildland Firefighter

Multiple Locations · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$52,957–$68,844/yr GW-5 Apply by Sep 17

💰 ~$76K–$128K 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

Supervisory Wildland Fire Fighter (Fire Engine Operator)

Huger, South Carolina · 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 (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 Fire Management Officer (DZAFMO High Complexity)

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 (Helicopter 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

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 (Fire, Fuels, and/or Aviation Management Training)

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) Missouri (22 open, 4 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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