Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
A program focusing on the application of fire science, firefighting and investigation to the prevention, control and mitigation of wildland fires and the analysis of causes. Includes instruction in fire science and behavior, wildland environments, meteorology, wildland fire hydraulics and dynamics, water and chemical supply systems, wildland firefighting operations, airborne firefighting, firebreak engineering, communications systems, wildland arson, forensic procedures, wildland fire prevention, investigation techniques, case management and preparation.
- Schools offering
- 15
- Annual completions
- 52
- Typical degree level
- Associate's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $80k
About this major
A program focusing on the application of fire science, firefighting and investigation to the prevention, control and mitigation of wildland fires and the analysis of causes. Includes instruction in fire science and behavior, wildland environments, meteorology, wildland fire hydraulics and dynamics, water and chemical supply systems, wildland firefighting operations, airborne firefighting, firebreak engineering, communications systems, wildland arson, forensic procedures, wildland fire prevention, investigation techniques, case management and preparation.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighters | $60k | +3.4% | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists | $52k | +14.6% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$80k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$75k
Bachelor's
$86k
Top colleges for Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster, CA | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs, CO | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College | Ruidoso, NM | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield, CA | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Reedley College | Reedley, CA | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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