Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary in the U.S.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in the U.S. earn a median of $56,870 a year ($27.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,460 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $66,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| 25th percentile | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| Median | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| 75th percentile | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,460 | $50.70 |
| Average (mean) | $66,640 | $32.04 |
Half of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,739.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,369.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,187.31 |
| Weekly | $1,093.65 |
| Hourly | $27.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| California | $97,370 | 480 |
| Utah | $90,020 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $75,480 | 90 |
| Oregon | $73,530 | 140 |
| Maine | $68,310 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $61,700 | 310 |
| Arizona | $58,570 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $57,380 | 140 |
| Florida | $51,690 | 100 |
| Colorado | $50,170 | 210 |
| Georgia | $48,010 | 350 |
| Idaho | $47,050 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $43,310 | 140 |
| Alabama | $37,430 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $31,720 | 100 |
Best-paying metro areas for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,320 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,460 | 130 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $102,480 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $96,380 | 40 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $90,020 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $80,100 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $77,420 | n/a |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $72,850 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $58,240 | 100 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $51,260 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $50,170 | n/a |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $42,160 | 50 |
Metro areas with the most forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 130 | $105,460 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 100 | $58,240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 60 | $80,100 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 50 | $42,160 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 50 | $102,480 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 50 | $107,320 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 40 | $51,260 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 40 | $72,850 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 40 | $90,020 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 40 | $96,380 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,040 | $50.98 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 | $45.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,530 | $44.96 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,540 | $20.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,940 | $26.90 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,970 | $37.49 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists make in the U.S.?
The median salary for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in the U.S. is $56,870 a year, or $27.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in the U.S. earn at least $105,460 a year. The top 25% earn $81,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,420 a year, and a quarter of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists earn $43,760 or less.
How many forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists work in the U.S.?
About 2,780 forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.