Hiring a firefighter: the market today
The short answer ·
227 open postings ask for a firefighter as of Nov 11, 2026, from 77 employers. The median advertised pay is $53,557, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 148 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, Nov 11, 2026
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 204 postings with pay · OPM actual pay, Sep 2026
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a firefighter?
Competitive. 77 employers are hiring the role right now, led by Forest Service with 71 open postings.
What should I pay a firefighter?
Advertised pay centers on $53,557. Federal staff in series 0081 average $75,200 in actual pay.
Where is a firefighter being hired?
As of Nov 11, 2026, the most open postings for the role are in California (34), Utah (28) and Virginia (19). Together they hold 36% of its 227 open postings.
Who can help me hire a firefighter?
Ayla's recruiters, for government agencies and contractors. Send the role for a free market brief within two business days, then interview the people we find; you pay a placement fee when you hire.