Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Also called: Forest Fire Inspectors
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Also called: District Ranger, Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer, Fire Management Officer, Fire Management Technician, Fire Observer, Fire Operations Forester
Median pay
$56,870
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,420 – $105,460
People employed
2,780
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 5.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 6.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists pay by state
Annual median pay by state (15 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary in every state →
What forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists do
- 01Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
- 02Conduct wildland firefighting training.
- 03Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
- 04Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
- 05Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
- 06Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Public Safety and Security
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
- Forest and Conservation Technicians90% · −4%
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers86% · +64%
- Transit and Railroad Police78% · +59%
- Airfield Operations Specialists75% · 0%
- Fish and Game Wardens75% · +30%
Change into forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Forest and Conservation Technicians90% · $54,560
- Forest and Conservation Workers85% · $43,680
- Airfield Operations Specialists75% · $56,850
- Fish and Game Wardens74% · $74,060
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers72% · $33,580
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
- Fire Science/Fire-fighting
- Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.