How to Become an Aerial Firefighter

Aerial firefighting pilots work in dynamic environments to carry out challenging but important missions.

Andrew Chen

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 08:47 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

[File image: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Aerial firefighters are professional pilots who play a crucial role in wildfire suppression by surveying fires, transporting personnel like smokejumpers, and deploying water or fire retardant from various specialized aircraft, including air tankers and lead planes.
Becoming an aerial firefighter is not an entry-level position, requiring extensive flight experience—often thousands of hours—beyond basic commercial pilot certification, along with potential multi-engine ratings and specialized training for challenging conditions.
Aerial firefighters are employed by government agencies or private companies, with US Forest Service pilots earning between $74,431 and $140,317 annually (2024), while private sector compensation varies widely, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands for experienced captains.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Wildfires are extremely dangerous and have devastating impacts on communities. Large wildfires have become increasingly common in recent years, leading to a greater demand for firefighting resources.

Aircraft play an important role when it comes to wildfire suppression. Their ability to view a fire from the air and drop water or fire retardant is a major asset during firefighting efforts.