Sarah Myers spent her childhood exploring the forests of Vermont and New York. Today, at 33, she has transformed her passion for nature into a career that brought her an income of $92,100 last year.
Myers lives in Hot Springs, South Dakota, where she works as a supervisory forester. Her role involves everything from ensuring healthy forest regeneration to managing wildfire resources. Curious about how she jumped from seasonal jobs at $15 an hour to a permanent government position? Let’s dive into her story.
How six years of seasonal forestry work led to permanent success
Myers studied natural resource management at Cornell and later earned a master’s in geographic information science. Right after graduation, she navigated five seasonal forestry roles across different states, measuring tree species and managing conservation projects.
“Seasonal work is hard because you’re not settled anywhere,” she recalls. By 2018, her consistent field experience landed her a long-term position in Colorado. In 2022, she made another leap to her current supervisory role, where she oversees commercial timber sales and helps coordinate firefighting efforts.
Managing monthly bills, groceries, and discretionary spending without overthinking finances
In 2024, Myers earned $77,390 in base pay plus $14,710 in overtime during wildfire season. She shares expenses with her partner, who earns a similar salary. Below is a snapshot of her February spending:
| Category | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Food (groceries, dining out) | $1,360 |
| Housing & utilities | $1,200 |
| Discretionary | $1,167 |
| Savings & investments | $1,052 |
| Insurance | $531 |
| Gas | $119 |
| Phone | $97 |
| Subscriptions & memberships | $11 |
She contributes $1,200 to a joint account for household costs, leaving extra for unexpected bills. Does she worry about splitting every single expense? “We’re not nitpicking and we’re not counting pennies,” she says.
Who might face a penalty if expenses go unpaid? The answer is clear: late fees or penalties fall on anyone missing those critical bills, but Myers plans ahead to avoid that scenario.
Why early retirement and a maple syrup dream remain her focus
Though comfortable now, Myers stays mindful of inflation and potential job changes in the federal system. She keeps multiple savings accounts, an emergency fund, and invests in a Thrift Savings Plan to maintain financial security. Ultimately, she dreams of retiring early to start a small business tapping into her childhood passion—producing maple syrup on a farm in the Northeast.
From hauling suitcases between seasonal gigs to mapping out wildfires and planning forest regeneration, Myers has built a fulfilling career one step at a time. She credits determination, strategic budgeting, and a love for the outdoors as the keys to her success.