Infrastructure Bill's Short-Term Pay Raise for Federal Firefighters Set to Start

In a statement released last month, the White House outlined modifications to federal wildland firefighter pay and benefits as mandated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58). Federal wildland firefighters will receive a temporary annual compensation increase of $20,00 or 50 percent of their base salary (whichever is less) effective July 3, 2022, followed by a retroactive pay increase to October 1, 2021.

A fact sheet issued by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) noted a series of three retroactive payments within the next three pay periods as of July 12, 2022.

Furthermore, OPM announced it has created a new wildland fire management occupational series for firefighters, which officials say will give federal firefighters a better career ladder and make it easier for agencies to recruit new firefighters. Listed as GS-0456, the new series will replace the Forestry Technician or Range Technician roles currently used. The new series will include a position definition, titling, an overview of wildland firefighting resources and skills, occupational information, and duty illustrations.

“OPM is proud to [take] the necessary step of creating a wildland firefighter occupation series—something that hasn’t existed for 50 years and is especially crucial at a time when our federal wildland firefighters have taken on longer, more complex, and more dangerous fire seasons,” stated OPM Director Kiran Ahuja.

There is a 12-month implementation period for the new occupational series. Currently employed Federal firefighters can decide whether to join the series or not.

“Today’s new steps, already paid for by the bipartisan infrastructure law, will temporarily put back pay into firefighters’ pockets, increasing their biweekly checks by up to 50 percent of their annual base salary for two years,” President Joe Biden told reporters following the White House statement. “But we know there is more work to do, especially as climate change fuels more wildfires. I will do everything in my power, including working with Congress to secure long-term funding, to make sure these heroes keep earning the paychecks—and dignity—they deserve.”

Over the past decade, USDA and DOI officials have struggled with retention and recruitment of federal wildland firefighters with low wages and minimal benefits as fire seasons worsen.

The White House did not mention a new permanent pay scale other than a goal of a long-term solution, although OPM can modify the new series to reflect compensation adjustments.