Salary guide
Forest Fire Prevention Specialist Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What forest fire prevention specialists earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median forest fire prevention specialist salary in the U.S. is $56,870 per year, or $27.34 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $35,420, while the top 10% earned more than $105,460.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Forest Fire Prevention Specialist pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,420 | $17.03 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $43,760 | $21.04 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $56,870 | $27.34 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,500 | $39.18 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $105,460 | $50.70 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $43,760 | $56,870 | $81,500 |
| Per month | $3,647 | $4,739 | $6,792 |
| Every two weeks | $1,683 | $2,187 | $3,135 |
| Per week | $842 | $1,094 | $1,567 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects forest fire prevention specialist pay
- Required credentials (HAZWOPER, CSP, state inspector or operator licenses)
- Government versus private-sector employment
- Hazard level and emergency-response duties
- Industry (construction, energy, chemical and federal contracting)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a forest fire prevention specialist
- Get credentialed: NWCG Basic Wildland Firefighter (S-130/S-190), Annual fireline safety refresher (RT-130), Fire prevention technician qualification.
- Build specialty experience: Lead prevention programs.
- Move up: roles such as fire investigator or prevention officer and fire management specialist typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Forest Fire Prevention Specialist pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of forest fire prevention specialists to change by +13.1% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 33-2022 (“Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Forest Fire Prevention Specialist salary FAQ
How much does a forest fire prevention specialist make per hour?
The median hourly wage for forest fire prevention specialists was $27.34 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $17.03 and the top 10% earned about $50.70 or more.
How much does a forest fire prevention specialist make a month?
At the median annual wage of $56,870, that works out to about $4,739 per month before taxes, or about $2,187 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a forest fire prevention specialist?
New forest fire prevention specialists often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $35,420 and the 25th percentile was $43,760 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can forest fire prevention specialists earn more?
Common ways include earning NWCG Basic Wildland Firefighter (S-130/S-190) and Annual fireline safety refresher (RT-130), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as fire investigator or prevention officer.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-2022 (Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.