Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Forest Fire Inspectors

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.

Salary
$52130
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

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.

  • 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.
Read more about what does a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$49610 per year

Average hourly wage
$24 per hour


Forest Fire Inspectors with little to no experience tend to make between $26660 and $32310 while the more experienced ones can earn over $64400 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $39 $82,000
TX $31 $63,470
OR $30 $62,630
CO $21 $43,650
AR $17 $35,620

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Forest Fire Inspectors are CA, TX, OR, CO and AR.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Forest Fire Inspectors what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Fire Science/Fire-fighting
Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
Read more about how to become a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Salary is below average

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
72%


70% of Forest Fire Inspectors said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.



Learn more about Forest Fire Inspectors

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Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

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