Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
SOC Code: 33-2022
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists carries a 49% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $52,380 and +14.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 2,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 49% AI exposure, Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists sits 12 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 86% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists has ai exposure of 49%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists (SOC 33-2022) carries an AI exposure score of 49%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 2,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +14.6% change through 2034 - a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $52,380, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
- 2. Conduct wildland firefighting training.
- 3. Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
- 4. Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
- 5. Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
- 6. Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
- 7. Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
- 8. Compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.
- 9. Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
- 10. Educate the public about fire safety and prevention.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Monitoring
- Instructing
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Transportation
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists?
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists has an AI exposure score of 49%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists is projected to grow by 14.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 2,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists?
Key skills for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists include Critical Thinking, Speaking, Coordination, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists earn?
The median annual wage for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists is $52,380, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists?
The typical entry-level education for Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists?
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).