Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary in California
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in California earn a median of $97,370 a year ($46.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,670 for the top 10%. That is 71% higher than the national median of $56,870. California ranks 1st of 15 states for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,790 | $27.31 |
| 25th percentile | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Median | $97,370 | $46.81 |
| 75th percentile | $124,060 | $59.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,670 | $81.57 |
| Average (mean) | $102,750 | $49.40 |
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 | $8,114.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,057.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,745 |
| Weekly | $1,872.50 |
| Hourly | $46.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,320 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,460 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $96,380 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $80,100 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $77,420 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $97,370 |
| Utah | $90,020 |
| Louisiana | $75,480 |
| Oregon | $73,530 |
| Maine | $68,310 |
| Oklahoma | $61,700 |
| Arizona | $58,570 |
| New Jersey | $57,380 |
| Florida | $51,690 |
| Colorado | $50,170 |
See Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $99,230 | $47.71 |
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $131,210 | $63.08 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in California is $97,370 a year, or $46.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists make in California?
The top 10% of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in California earn at least $169,670 a year. The top 25% earn $124,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,790 a year, and a quarter of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists earn $71,880 or less.
How many forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists work in California?
About 480 forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.