Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Median pay: $56,870/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +14.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — much faster than average.
About 300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
• Conduct wildland firefighting training.
• Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
• Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
• Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
• Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
• Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
• Compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.
What's the median pay for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?
The median pay for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists is $56,870 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?
Employment for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists is projected to change +14.6% from 2024 to 2034 - much faster than average.
What education is typically required for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?
About 300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.