Gianforte announces firefighter pay increase

HELENA — Together with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte recently announced the state will increase firefighter pay to support, recruit and retain the highly-qualified, highly-trained personnel who protect Montana communities and natural resources.

The wage increase marks the first major pay adjustment of its kind for the seasonal firefighting workforce of Montana.

“Montana’s wildland firefighters are some of the most important and necessary personnel serving our state, especially with recent, more severe fire seasons,” Gianforte said. “This well-deserved pay increase will help ensure our wildland firefighters remain the most skilled and mission capable firefighting workforce in the region.”

Seasonal firefighters in Montana will see a compensation increase of $1.70 per hour, which brings the minimum base pay to $15.50 per hour. The increased wage makes Montana competitive and equitable with other fire protection agencies in the region.

The wage increase has been implemented for the current seasonal hiring effort. Open positions can be viewed at statecareers.mt.gov.