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Washington Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2016, 1,738 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across Washington — and 470 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.

40 jobs open in Washington right now (3 entry-level) →

When they hire

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

Who hires

  • Forest Service (1,391)
  • Bureau of Land Management (114)
  • National Park Service (94)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (71)

Crew types posted

  • Smokejumpers (92)
  • Helitack (82)
  • Hotshot crew (80)
  • Dispatch (78)
  • Fuels / Rx fire (71)

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 Washington

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 40 jobs open now in Washington

Winthrop, Washington

453 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (138 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

15
'18
17
'19
19
'20
16
'21
14
'22
19
'23
14
'24
12
'25
11
'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.
  • 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.

Entiat, Washington

389 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (126 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

18
'18
14
'19
18
'20
12
'21
10
'22
17
'23
15
'24
9
'25
13
'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.

Cle Elum, Washington

370 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (113 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

16
'18
13
'19
17
'20
11
'21
10
'22
12
'23
11
'24
10
'25
10
'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.

Naches, Washington

340 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (117 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

13
'18
13
'19
18
'20
10
'21
9
'22
19
'23
14
'24
9
'25
11
'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.

Leavenworth, Washington

328 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (103 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

9
'18
11
'19
16
'20
10
'21
10
'22
12
'23
12
'24
9
'25
13
'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.

Tonasket, Washington

319 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (131 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

12
'18
16
'19
18
'20
14
'21
12
'22
25
'23
16
'24
11
'25
7
'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.

Walla Walla, Washington

317 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (138 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

17
'18
22
'19
19
'20
16
'21
14
'22
22
'23
15
'24
5
'25
8
'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.

Kettle Falls, Washington

309 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (121 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

12
'18
18
'19
18
'20
11
'21
10
'22
21
'23
14
'24
9
'25
7
'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.

Chelan, Washington

309 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 10 entry-level spots a year (92 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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
14
'20
8
'21
6
'22
14
'23
11
'24
10
'25
9
'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.

Republic, Washington

298 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (111 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

11
'18
19
'19
18
'20
9
'21
8
'22
19
'23
12
'24
9
'25
6
'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.

Pomeroy, Washington

295 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (128 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

12
'18
19
'19
19
'20
17
'21
14
'22
22
'23
13
'24
6
'25
6
'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.

Randle, Washington

278 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (112 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

10
'18
14
'19
15
'20
8
'21
18
'22
12
'23
14
'24
9
'25
12
'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.

Trout Lake, Washington

229 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 10 entry-level spots a year (95 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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
15
'20
10
'21
12
'22
11
'23
12
'24
6
'25
8
'26
0
'27

Amboy, Washington

228 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 9 entry-level spots a year (83 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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
11
'19
11
'20
9
'21
7
'22
10
'23
10
'24
8
'25
10
'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.

North Bend, Washington

224 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 8 entry-level spots a year (70 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, September, November — 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):

5
'18
9
'19
10
'20
10
'21
8
'22
11
'23
7
'24
6
'25
4
'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.

Washington wildland firefighter jobs open right now

40 open postings in Washington, 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 (Airtanker Base Manager)

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 (Fuels Specialist)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$87,899/yr GW-8 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$97K–$163K 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 (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

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

Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)

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 (Fire Operations Specialist)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$87,899/yr GW-8 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$97K–$163K 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

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Suppression)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

🌱 Entry level · no experience $44,112–$68,844/yr GW-3–4 Apply by Sep 22

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

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Airtanker Base Ramp Manager)

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 (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 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 (Assistant Dispatch Center Manager)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$67,617–$87,899/yr GW-8 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$97K–$163K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Air Tactical Group Supervisor ATGS)

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 (Interagency Hotshot Crew Superintendent)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$78,166–$101,609/yr GW-10 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$113K–$188K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Lead Wildland Firefighter (IHC Squad Leader)

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 (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

Supervisory 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 (Interagency Hotshot Crew)

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 (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

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 (Smokejumper)

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 (Smokejumper)

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 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 (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

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

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

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

Lead Wildland Firefighter (Smokejumper)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$62,570–$81,343/yr GW-7 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$90K–$151K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Airtanker Base Support)

Multiple Locations · Forest Service

$52,957–$68,844/yr GW-5 Apply by Sep 22

💰 ~$76K–$128K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

Wildland Firefighter (Prevention)

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 (Airtanker Base 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

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Engine Captain)

Marblemount, Washington · Office of the Secretary of the Interior

$75,999–$98,795/yr GW-8 Apply by Sep 11

💰 ~$109K–$183K a season with overtime & hazard pay (est.)

View & Apply

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