Life As a Forest Firefighter
Forest Firefighter Example Control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.
What Do Forest Firefighters Do On a Daily Basis?
- 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.
- Observe forest areas from fire lookout towers to spot potential problems.
- Maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters.
- Inform and educate the public about fire prevention.
- Perform forest maintenance and improvement tasks, such as cutting brush, planting trees, building trails, and marking timber.
Featured schools near , edit
Skills Needed to be a Forest Firefighter
Below is a list of the skills most Forest Firefighters say are important on the job.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles
- Fire Management Specialist
- Forest Firefighter
- Smoke Eater
- Wildland Fire Fighter Specialist
- Water and Fire Technician
Job Outlook for Forest Firefighters
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 327,300 jobs in the United States for Forest Firefighter. 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.
Do Forest Firefighters Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Forest Firefighter ranges 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Forest Firefighters Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Forest Firefighters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Corel WordPerfect
- Fire incident reporting systems
How do I Become a Forest Firefighter?
What education is needed to be a Forest Firefighter?
What work experience do I need to become a Forest Firefighter?
Who Employs Forest Firefighters?
Below are examples of industries where Forest Firefighters work:
Related Careers
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor 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. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.