Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary by state
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists is a professional role in the Protective Service job family, focused on Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialistss do
Typical education: High School Diploma
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.
Top skills:Critical ThinkingSpeakingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningComplex Problem Solving
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS
2,400 workers
$71,500
Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,300 workers
$85,500
State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,120 workers
$55,500
Other Services (except Public Administration)
50 workers
$48,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists pays 1% above the average across 24 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $68,000).
