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
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 pay by experience level
Entry level$36,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$45,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$59,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$84,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$109,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+14.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
300
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
2,400 workers
$71,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,300 workers
$85,500
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,100 workers
$55,500
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
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 2% below the average across 28 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $70,500).
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