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Forest fire prevention specialist: pay, job outlook and how to get started

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$56,870median pay per year, or $27.34 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $35,420lowest 10% earn less
  2. $43,76025th percentile
  3. $56,870median
  4. $81,50075th percentile
  5. $105,460top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists had a median pay of $56,870 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 13.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the all-occupations rate[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+13.1%[2]
Openings per year
400[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do forest fire prevention specialists make?

The median pay for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists was $56,870 a year, or $27.34 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $66,640 a year, or $32.04 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,420 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $105,460[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][10] $35,420 $17.03
25th percentile[4][10] $43,760 $21.04
Median[1] $56,870 $27.34
75th percentile[4][10] $81,500 $39.18
90th percentile[4][10] $105,460 $50.70

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part-time and full-time. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. This is a small occupation, with about 2,780 people in these jobs[12].

Pay by state and city

BLS published state figures for 15 states[13]. California had the highest median at $97,370, followed by Utah at $90,020 and Louisiana at $75,480[13]. Mississippi had the lowest at $31,720[13]. Some of these states have only 40 to 50 jobs, so treat single figures with care[13].

California had the most jobs at 480, followed by Georgia (350), Oklahoma (310), Colorado (210) and Arkansas (140)[14].

For metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had a median of $105,460 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had $58,240[15]. Los Angeles had 130 jobs and New York had 100[16].

Show median pay in 15 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$97,370480
Utah$90,02050
Louisiana$75,48090
Oregon$73,530140
Maine$68,31060
Oklahoma$61,700310
Arizona$58,57040
New Jersey$57,380140
Florida$51,690100
Colorado$50,170210
Georgia$48,010350
Idaho$47,05050
Arkansas$43,310140
Alabama$37,43040
Mississippi$31,720100

How to become a forest fire prevention specialist

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education, with less than 5 years of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. The details below come from a BLS profile of fire inspectors, which covers a wider group of occupations[17].

Employers may prefer a 2- or 4-year degree, such as one in forestry or forest management[22]. Postsecondary education can sometimes replace work experience[22]. Candidates usually must pass a background check, and employers typically want a valid driver's license. Citizenship and certification may also be required[23]. Licensing and certification rules vary by state or locality[24].

In an ONET survey of 21 workers, 32% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 24% a bachelor's degree and 18% an associate's degree[25]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Three, which it describes as medium preparation[26].

What forest fire prevention specialists do

O*NET says the job involves enforcing fire rules, checking forests for fire hazards and recommending prevention or control measures[27]. Tasks include[28]:

Where they work

The profile for the wider group says forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists travel to natural settings such as forests and fields and spend much of their time outdoors[29][30]. Fire inspectors in general may work in areas with poor airflow and breathe smoke and fumes, and some wear protective gear[31].

The profile says full-time work is typical for fire inspectors, and some put in more than 40 hours a week[32]. Schedules may include evenings, weekends and holidays because inspectors must be ready when fires occur[32]. Local government (excluding education and hospitals) was the largest employer of fire inspectors, at 45% in 2025[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 13.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,000 to 3,400 jobs, a gain of 400[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. BLS names one factor: increasingly destructive wild land fires are expected to raise demand for fire prevention[34].

About 400 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs that open when people retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.3% of workers leave the labor force and 6.8% move to a different occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay above the all-occupations median, at $56,870 against $50,980, with a wide spread from $35,420 to $105,460[1][4][5]. The entry path asks for a high school diploma, related experience and moderate-term training[7]. Projected growth is well above the all-occupations rate, but the occupation is small, with about 400 openings a year[2][3][6]. The work is outdoors and schedules can include evenings, weekends and holidays[30][32].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a forest fire prevention specialist make an hour?
The median was $27.34 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $17.03 and the 90th was $50.70[10].
What education do you need to be a forest fire inspector?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as typical entry education, plus related experience and on-the-job training[7].
Are forest fire prevention jobs in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 13.1% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 400 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for forest fire prevention specialists?
California, with a median of $97,370, followed by Utah at $90,020[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in the US was $56,870 per year and $27.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists is projected to grow 13.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,000 to 3,400 jobs (a change of +400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: 10th percentile $35,420, 25th percentile $43,760, 75th percentile $81,500, 90th percentile $105,460. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 400 openings for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists was $66,640 per year and $32.04 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: 10th percentile $17.03, 25th percentile $21.04, 75th percentile $39.18, 90th percentile $50.70. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,780 people were employed as Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists jobs: California 480; Georgia 350; Oklahoma 310; Colorado 210; Arkansas 140. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $105,460; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $58,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 130 (median $105,460); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 100 (median $58,240); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 60 (median $80,100); Fort Collins-Loveland, CO 50 (median $42,160); New Orleans-Metairie, LA 50 (median $102,480); Oklahoma City, OK 50. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Fire Inspectors" covers Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 33-2022.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 32%, Bachelor's Degree 24%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 18%, Some College Courses 18%, Post-Secondary Certificate 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 33-2022.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET description of Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of fire inspectors in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 45%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: Demand change - share increases as increasingly destructive wild land fires will increase the demand for fire prevention. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: 3.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.