Wildland Firefighters: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of wildland firefighters about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for wildland firefighters to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of wildland firefighters expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for wildland firefighters.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Wildland Firefighters?
Do wildland firefighters need a degree? What kind of experience do wildland firefighters typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for wildland firefighters to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Wildland Firefighters
Jobs Postings for Wildland Firefighters By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 859 (34%)
- No Education Listed: 730 (29%)
- High School or GED: 682 (27%)
- Master's degree: 217 (9%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 21 (1%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of wildland firefighters. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 34% of positions. In 29% of job listings no education level was listed and in 27% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Wildland Firefighters
Jobs Postings for Wildland Firefighters By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 78 (6%)
- 2-3 Years: 319 (24%)
- 4-6 Years: 447 (34%)
- 7-9 Years: 158 (12%)
- 10+ Years: 318 (24%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for wildland firefighters. In 34% of job postings for Wildland Firefighters, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 24% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 10+ years of experience was sought in 24% of job postings for wildland firefighters.
What Kind of Degree Do Wildland Firefighters Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for wildland firefighters, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 11 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective wildland firefighters, and in 2023 a total of 50,041 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective wildland firefighters.
Top Degree Programs for Wildland Firefighters
Top 5 Degree Programs for Wildland Firefighters (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic). | 27,903 |
| Fire Science/Fire-fighting. | 8,414 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician. | 3,312 |
| Homeland Security. | 2,894 |
| Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management. | 2,589 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic). | 27,903 |
| Fire Science/Fire-fighting. | 8,414 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician. | 3,312 |
| Homeland Security. | 2,894 |
| Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management. | 2,589 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General. | 1,679 |
| Fire Services Administration. | 1,431 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | 1,386 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services. | 187 |
| Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation. | 150 |
| Fire Protection, Other. | 96 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Wildland Firefighters
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Launch an exciting career as a police officer, corrections officer, or investigator by learning the ins and outs of the U.S. criminal justice system and all its interconnected components, including law enforcement, corrections, and the courts.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Maintain social order and earn credentials for a leadership role in police, corrections, security, or court administration.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Earn college credit for your public safety experience and get promoted to a leadership rank with this degree-completion major.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Acquire specialized knowledge while developing a holistic view of the criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 6
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Tackle critical issues facing individuals and communities with advanced leadership and management skills ideally suited for a complex criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Wildland Firefighters Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by wildland firefighters to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for wildland firefighters, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Wildland Firefighters
Based on 2,266 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Wildland Firefighters
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Prevention | 1,022 | 45% |
| Firefighting | 1,021 | 45% |
| Fire Suppression Systems | 740 | 33% |
| Fire Service | 722 | 32% |
| Fire Science | 692 | 31% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Wildland Firefighters
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Operations | 1,184 | 52% |
| Management | 949 | 42% |
| Communication | 811 | 36% |
| Planning | 752 | 33% |
| Leadership | 594 | 26% |
Based on 2,266 job postings related to wildland firefighters, fire prevention was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 45% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for firefighting, fire suppression systems, fire service, fire science and emergency medical services were also highly sought.
As for common skills, operations was the most desired skill found in job postings for wildland firefighters, followed by management, communication, planning, leadership and investigation.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Prevention | 1,022 | 45% |
| Firefighting | 1,021 | 45% |
| Fire Suppression Systems | 740 | 33% |
| Fire Service | 722 | 32% |
| Fire Science | 692 | 31% |
| Emergency Medical Services | 612 | 27% |
| Fire Protection | 595 | 26% |
| Fire Safety | 560 | 25% |
| Incident Command Systems | 550 | 24% |
| Fire Investigation | 500 | 22% |
| NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Codes | 441 | 19% |
| Emergency Management | 430 | 19% |
| Emergency Response | 429 | 19% |
| Public Administration | 351 | 15% |
| Construction | 350 | 15% |
| Fire And Life Safety | 337 | 15% |
| National Incident Management Systems | 314 | 14% |
| Performance Appraisal | 257 | 11% |
| Fire Alarm Systems | 256 | 11% |
| Code Enforcement | 213 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Operations | 1,184 | 52% |
| Management | 949 | 42% |
| Communication | 811 | 36% |
| Planning | 752 | 33% |
| Leadership | 594 | 26% |
| Investigation | 523 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 464 | 20% |
| Writing | 400 | 18% |
| Customer Service | 375 | 17% |
| Budgeting | 288 | 13% |
| Presentations | 268 | 12% |
| Research | 256 | 11% |
| Good Driving Record | 242 | 11% |
| Supervision | 241 | 11% |
| Problem Solving | 234 | 10% |
| Administrative Functions | 218 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 195 | 9% |
| Report Writing | 185 | 8% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 183 | 8% |
| Microsoft Excel | 179 | 8% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about wildland firefighters? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for wildland firefighters.
What do wildland firefighters do?
How much do wildland firefighters make?
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