CFChooseField
Public Safety

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
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Median pay

$52,380
Median annual pay for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

14.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

2,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience; Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Learning Strategies
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Administration and Management
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3Education and Training
  4. 4Personnel and Human Resources
  5. 5Public Safety and Security
  6. 6Law and Government

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Far Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Stress Tolerance
  3. 3Self-Control
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Leadership Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  2. 2Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  3. 3Performing General Physical Activities
  4. 4Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  5. 5Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  3. 3Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6E-Mail

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

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Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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