Seasonal forest firefighters make between $3,000 and $25,000 in a season, depending on the length of the season, the amount of fire activity, the firefighter's experience level, and the employer.

Federal firefighters make between $7.00 and $9.00 per hour. Any time over eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week is paid time-and-a-half. While on fire assignment, firefighters receive an additional 25% of their base pay as hazard pay.

Firefighters working for states and private contractors have slightly different pay scales.

1998 Federal General Schedule (Hourly wages) - most entry-level firefighters are GS-3 or 4.