Smoke jumpers are an elite group of firefighters who are specially trained to parachute into remote areas to fight wildfires. They are often the first responders to wildfires, and their work is essential in containing and extinguishing these fires. Smoke jumpers are paid a salary for their work, and this salary is determined by some factors, including experience, training, and location. Let us know more detail about ‘Salaries For Smoke Jumpers’.
Salaries For Smoke Jumpers
So check out this article if you want to become a smoke jumper and learn about the average salary for these workers.
The smoke jumpers in the US, on average, earn $48,192. Although the average is $48,192, on an individual basis, salaries fall between $23,010 and $148,530. The average salary per month is $4016, per week is $1004, per day is $200.8, and per hour is $25.1. Based on grades, the step 1 salary is around $52,490 per year and the grade 10 salary is around $148,530. The locality pay is 35% in California, so based on that, the salaries get pushed in the same ratio for grade 1 to $61,860 per year, and for grade 10 to $155,500 annually.
Salary Determinants
The salary of a smoke jumper is determined by several factors, including experience, training, and location.
Experience
The salary for a smoke jumper is $25 per hour, but this can be increased based on experience and training. For example, a smoke jumper with 5 years of experience can expect to earn a salary of $30 per hour, while a smoke jumper with 10 years of experience can expect to earn a salary of $40 per hour.
Location
The location of the wildfire also plays a role in determining the salary of a smoke jumper. If the wildfire is in a remote area, the smoke jumper may receive a hazard pay bonus of $2 per hour. The states where smoke jumper works have a major role in determining the salary based on state locality pay.
Allowances
Diem Allowance
Smoke jumpers are paid an hourly wage in addition to a daily allowance for food and lodging while battling a wildfire. The per diem allowance is $25 per day, and it is used to cover the cost of meals and lodging while the smoke jumper is working.
Allowance for Travelling
Additionally, smoke jumpers are given a travel stipend to help with the cost of getting to and from the incident. The travel reimbursement, which is calculated at $0.50 per mile, is used to defray the cost of getting to and from the wildfire.
Skills for Smoke Jumpers
Smoke jumpers are a special breed of firefighters who are trained to parachute into remote areas to fight wildfires. They must possess a high degree of skill and be in outstanding physical shape to perform their duties successfully. There are two main skills that smoke jumpers must possess: physical fitness and firefighting expertise.
Physical fitness
Physical fitness is essential for smoke jumpers because they must be able to hike long distances carrying heavy equipment. They must also be able to labor for extended periods in hot, demanding environments. In addition, smoke jumpers must be able to parachute into remote areas, which requires a high level of physical fitness.
Firefighting expertise
Firefighting expertise is also essential for smoke jumpers. They must be able to formulate a strategy to put out a fire fast and accurately. They also need to be able to use firefighting equipment effectively and efficiently. In addition, smoke jumpers must be able to communicate effectively with other firefighters and with the people who are evacuated from the area.
Job Outlook
Between 2020 and 2030, this profession’s employment opportunities could increase by 8%. Comparable to other professions, this percentage is satisfactory.
Salaries for Smoke jumpers
Based on Experience
Each of the 15 grades that make up the smoke jumper job description is further broken down into 10 steps. The jumpers of each step are paid different salaries based on the experience they have gained in this profession. The pay of step 1 of the grade 1 employee will be less than step 2 or step 1 of the grade 2 employee. Each step on average has a difference of $1000. Jumpers with each step ahead have more experience than their previous step holder in the same grade. For instance, the grade-5 pay for smokejumpers increases to $34,129 annually for step 5 and tops out at $39,149 annually for step 10.
Based on location
- In the US, a Smoke Jumper makes an average salary of $48,192. In Long Beach, California, the typical Smoke Jumper earns $48,192. The average salary for Denver, San Francisco, and Houston combined is the same as this pay.
- The average Smoke Jumper salary in Fresno, California is $46,024, which is 5% less than the $48,192 national average. The combined average salary of Seattle, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Portland, OR is 5% higher than this pay.
- Toledo, Ohio’s average Smoke Jumper salary is $49,879, which is 3% more than the $48,192 national average. The combined average salary of Portland, Houston, and Atlanta is 3 percent lower than this pay.
- Buffalo, New York’s average Smoke Jumper salary is $49,638, which is 3% more than the national average.
- The combined average salary of the other metro areas Portland, OR, Los Angeles, CA, and Atlanta, GA is 3 percent higher than this pay.
- In Boston, Massachusetts, a Smoke Jumper typically earns $48,192. This payment is equal to the sum of the average salaries in the nearby metro areas of Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Los Angeles, California.
- In Seattle, WA, a Smoke Jumper makes an average salary of $48,192. This salary is equivalent to the sum of the average salaries in other major cities like Boston, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City.
Conclusion:
Now we’ve learnt about ‘Salaries For Smoke Jumpers’, Smoke jumpers are an essential part of the firefighting team, and they are paid a salary for their work. The salary of a smoke jumper is determined by some factors, including experience, training, and location. In addition to their hourly salary, smoke jumpers also receive a per diem allowance for food and lodging, as well as a travel allowance to cover the cost of travel to and from the wildfire.
FAQ’s
- What percentage of tax applies to smoke jumpers?
An estimated average federal tax on the salary of a smoke jumper would be 22% annually.
- What skills should a smoke jumper possess?
There are two main skills that smoke jumpers must possess: physical fitness and firefighting expertise.
- What do Smoke Jumpers in the US receive as a salary?
The lowest and the highest salary in the United States is $23,010 and $148,530 per year respectively for smoke jumpers.
