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CAL FIRE (Forestry Fire Pilot, helicopter): pilot minimums, pay and hiring

TypeState wildland fire agency, state-employed helicopter pilots (California)
HeadquartersSacramento, California (715 P Street)
BasesStatewide; 2026 postings were in the Riverside Unit (Riverside County) and Lassen-Modoc Unit (Lassen County)
AircraftHelicopters flown single-pilot (S-70i Firehawk named in the pay differential)
Published pilot minimumsFAA commercial or ATP rotorcraft-helicopter; Class II medical; driver license; 2,000 hours helicopter PIC including 500 mountain PIC (landings above 4,000 ft MSL), 500 turbine PIC, 250 low-level mission PIC, 100 sling-load PIC and 50 in the past year
Published pay$7,948–$10,488/month base plus $2,701–$3,564 extended duty week pay every 4 weeks = $130,489–$172,188/year (CalCareers JC-516161); differentials up to 15% of base (10% S-70i Firehawk and night flying; 2.5% each instructor, flight examiner, maintenance test pilot, chief pilot); $150/pay period with 60 college units
Hiring statusNo open positions shown on CAL FIRE's recruiting page (checked Nov 10, 2026); exam 4551 open until filled. 2026 postings JC-514159 and JC-516161 closed Apr 17 and May 15, 2026.
Careerswww.joincalfire.com/classifications/fire-protection/aviation/forestry-fire-pilot

CAL FIRE's recruiting page still shows an older, lower range ($7,754–$10,232/month; $127,303–$167,998/year); we use the 2026 CalCareers postings. New-to-state hires start at the range minimum.

Source / last checked: www.joincalfire.com/classifications/fire-protection/aviation/forestry-, calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPostingPrint.aspx?jcid=516161, calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPostingPrint.aspx?jcid=514159 · checked Nov 10, 2026. Fields marked "Not published" were not stated on the official source when we checked. Always confirm on the operator's site before applying.

FAQ

What are CAL FIRE (Forestry Fire Pilot, helicopter)'s pilot minimums?

FAA commercial or ATP rotorcraft-helicopter; Class II medical; driver license; 2,000 hours helicopter PIC including 500 mountain PIC (landings above 4,000 ft MSL), 500 turbine PIC, 250 low-level mission PIC, 100 sling-load PIC and 50 in the past year

How much does CAL FIRE (Forestry Fire Pilot, helicopter) pay pilots?

$7,948–$10,488/month base plus $2,701–$3,564 extended duty week pay every 4 weeks = $130,489–$172,188/year (CalCareers JC-516161); differentials up to 15% of base (10% S-70i Firehawk and night flying; 2.5% each instructor, flight examiner, maintenance test pilot, chief pilot); $150/pay period with 60 college units

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