Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
SOC: 33-2022 O*NET: 33-2022.00
Median Salary
$52,380
per year
Job Growth
🚀 14.6%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
What does a Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,590
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,000
25th percentile
Median
$52,380
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,780
75th percentile
Top Earners
$100,450
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,590
25th
$41,000
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$52,380
Mean: $61,820
75th
$77,780
90th
$100,450
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $66,860 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,000 and $77,780
- •Salary spread is 70.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,780 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,900
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+14.6%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,900
Current
2034 (Projected)3,300
+14.6%
+400
Employment Change
+14.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 14 of 14 locations
Georgia
350 jobs$46,1704.06x
Oklahoma
330 jobs$79,35010.94x
California
290 jobs$90,2900.88x
Colorado
190 jobs$53,5003.70x
Arkansas
140 jobs$42,2606.08x
New Jersey
130 jobs$57,9501.74x
Oregon
110 jobs$70,9103.01x
Mississippi
90 jobs$26,4604.10x
Louisiana
70 jobs$74,6501.90x
Florida
70 jobs$48,9000.39x
Utah
60 jobs$77,4801.87x
Maine
60 jobs$66,3105.08x
Alabama
40 jobs$34,9201.07x
Washington
0 jobs$51,3700.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Coordination
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Instructing
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Learning Strategies
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Coordination
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Instructing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Airfield Operations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare82%
5 shared skills
Museum Technicians and Conservators82%
5 shared skills
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education82%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors67%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Instructing
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Docker
🔥 Hot TechKubernetes
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows Server
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
🔥 Hot TechPuppet
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SQL Server
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Azure software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerShell
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Docker
Kubernetes
Microsoft Windows Server
Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Puppet
Salesforce software
Microsoft SQL Server
Amazon Web Services AWS software
Microsoft Azure software
Microsoft PowerShell
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Management & Supervision (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Administer regulations regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain records and logbooks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Direct maintenance and repair of firefighting equipment, or requisition new equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.47
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.44
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.40
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.36
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.33
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Leadership
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Independence
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Persistence
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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