Find Trade Colleges
What Does it Take to Be a Forest Firefighter?
Forest Firefighter Job Description Control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.
Life As a Forest Firefighter: What Do They Do?
- Transport personnel and cargo to and from fire areas.
- Establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.
- Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear, and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.
- Participate in fire prevention and inspection programs.
- Fell trees, cut and clear brush, and dig trenches to create firelines, using axes, chainsaws, or shovels.
- Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every Forest Firefighter Should Know
These are the skills Forest Firefighters say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Forest Firefighter Job Titles
- Forestry Fire Aid
- On-Scene Supporter
- Forest Firefighter
- Forest Fire Suppression Specialist
- Fire Management Specialist
What Kind of Forest Firefighter Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 327,300 jobs for Forest Firefighter in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,600 new jobs for Forest Firefighter by 2026. There will be an estimated 24,300 positions for Forest Firefighter per year.
The states with the most job growth for Forest Firefighter are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Forest Firefighters Salary
The typical yearly salary for Forest Firefighters is somewhere between $25,170 and $88,920.
Forest Firefighters who work in New York, New Jersey, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Forest Firefighters make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,740 |
| Alaska | $51,110 |
| Arizona | $45,150 |
| Arkansas | $37,800 |
| California | $81,580 |
| Colorado | $61,160 |
| Connecticut | $63,630 |
| Delaware | $48,800 |
| Florida | $53,340 |
| Georgia | $38,060 |
| Hawaii | $62,670 |
| Idaho | $40,490 |
| Illinois | $56,710 |
| Indiana | $49,460 |
| Iowa | $43,970 |
| Kansas | $37,930 |
| Kentucky | $33,520 |
| Louisiana | $30,600 |
| Maine | $36,750 |
| Maryland | $61,780 |
| Massachusetts | $60,080 |
| Michigan | $45,440 |
| Minnesota | $37,690 |
| Mississippi | $30,370 |
| Missouri | $51,100 |
| Montana | $49,230 |
| Nebraska | $47,880 |
| Nevada | $66,830 |
| New Hampshire | $48,640 |
| New Jersey | $76,530 |
| New Mexico | $36,590 |
| New York | $73,710 |
| North Carolina | $35,500 |
| North Dakota | $42,980 |
| Ohio | $46,310 |
| Oklahoma | $43,450 |
| Oregon | $66,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,090 |
| Rhode Island | $55,240 |
| South Carolina | $36,300 |
| South Dakota | $44,710 |
| Tennessee | $40,280 |
| Texas | $52,520 |
| Utah | $37,960 |
| Vermont | $37,070 |
| Virginia | $51,510 |
| Washington | $73,850 |
| West Virginia | $36,820 |
| Wisconsin | $40,310 |
| Wyoming | $43,810 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Forest Firefighters
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Forest Firefighters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Corel WordPerfect
- Fire incident reporting systems
Becoming a Forest Firefighter
Individuals working as a Forest Firefighter have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Forest Firefighter?
Where do Forest Firefighters Work?
Below are examples of industries where Forest Firefighters work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Forest Firefighter in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.