Stay informed with our newsletter.
.webp){kind=spacer}
EN
A 33-year-old forester shares his inspiring journey from earning just $15 an hour to making $92,100 in one year. Highlighting his career transformation, he explains how he found his ideal position in the forestry industry, experiencing job satisfaction and financial success. His story reflects the potential for growth and opportunity in the field, offering motivation to others looking to make a career change or advance in their chosen profession.
This article is part of CNBC Make It’s Millennial Money series, which explores how individuals worldwide earn, spend, and save their income.
Sarah Myers has always had a deep appreciation for nature.
Growing up between Vermont and New York, the 33-year-old spent summers hiking, camping, and canoeing in the Adirondacks with her family. When choosing a career, she knew she wanted to work in land management.
Now a forester, Myers is responsible for maintaining forest growth, overseeing timber sales, and managing wildfires during fire season.
“I love the history in the forests,” she shares. “These trees have stood for generations and will continue to do so long after me.”
In 2024, she earned $92,100 working in federal land management. She resides in Hot Springs, South Dakota, with her partner. Here’s how she built her career in nature and manages her finances in the Midwest.
Breaking into the forestry field was not easy.
Myers holds a bachelor's degree in natural resource management from Cornell University and a master’s in geographic information science from Penn State. While studying at Cornell, a mentor advised her that securing a federal position would likely require six to eight years of seasonal work.
That prediction proved accurate.
Between 2013 and 2017, Myers took on five seasonal forestry roles, each lasting four to six months. She worked across the Northeast, the northern Great Plains, and even spent a winter in Alaska, earning around $15 an hour. Her responsibilities included assessing tree species, age, and height.
“Seasonal work is tough because you never feel settled,” she explains. “You live out of a suitcase and whatever fits in your car.”
In January 2018, she secured her first permanent forester role in Colorado. By September 2022, she was promoted to her current supervisory forester position.
As a supervisory forester, Myers is involved in planning projects and budgets for tree planting, ensuring young trees grow healthily, and overseeing commercial timber sales. During fire season, she maps wildfire locations, tracks firefighter positions, and organizes supplies.
She finds immense satisfaction in her work. “It feels like the perfect role, blending all my experience and knowledge,” she says.
Myers’ annual earnings fluctuate based on overtime. In 2024, her base salary rose to $77,390, with an additional $14,710 in overtime during fire season, totaling $92,100.
She shares a home with her partner of 10 years, who also works for the federal government and earns a similar income.
In February, Myers’ expenses included:
In 2022, Myers and her partner purchased a three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom home for about $300,000. She covered the $65,000 down payment using a mix of savings and inheritance.
To manage expenses, they contribute to a joint savings account. Myers deposits $1,200 monthly, slightly more than her partner, to ensure a buffer for unexpected utility costs.
Beyond shared expenses, she independently covers groceries, phone bills, gas, and savings. They don’t meticulously track individual contributions. “We’re not nitpicking or counting pennies,” she says.
A notable expense in February was a $440 Apple Music bill - she still uses iTunes and purchased a significant amount of new music.
Myers maintains multiple savings accounts, including:
Although financially comfortable, Myers acknowledges the impact of inflation.
“We can manage our mortgage and home expenses,” she says, “but saving for big purchases or vacations is more challenging.”
Job security is another concern. If they lose their federal positions, transitioning to state or nonprofit land management could be difficult due to reliance on government funding.
As a result, Myers and her partner are considering future career shifts. “Our ultimate financial goal is to retire early and start a small business,” she shares.
One idea she’s passionate about? Returning to the Northeast to establish a maple syrup farm.
“As a child, I made maple syrup for fun,” she recalls. “I’ve always dreamed of owning a sugar bush and producing syrup, maybe alongside a small farm.”
For questions or comments write to contactus@bostonbrandmedia.com
Source: cnbc
.jpg)
