Also called: USFS LEO, Forest Protection Officer
Patrols national forests, protecting visitors, timber, archaeological sites, and wildlife.
Forest Service officers patrol millions of acres of backcountry, investigating illegal marijuana grows, timber theft, wildfire arson, and looting of Native American sites. Partners can be hours away.
Federal GS pay.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's or experience; FLETC training.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Forestry, Criminal Justice, Natural Resources.
Growing slowly.
Low risk for 10 years. Satellite images and sensors flag illegal grows and fires; backcountry patrol and arrests stay human.
Classes: Earth science, Biology, PE / fitness, Spanish.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.