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3471When Sarah Myers was working seasonal forestry jobs at $15 an hour, she had no idea she’d one day be making over $90,000 a year managing public lands in South Dakota.
The 33-year-old federal employee now earns $92,000 annually, combining her $77,000 base salary with $15,000 in wildfire-related overtime.
From Temporary Gig to Dream Job
Myers lives in Hot Springs, South Dakota, a small town surrounded by prairie and forest. She says it’s exactly where she wants to be.
“I thought it would be a temporary stop, and then it ended up turning into my dream job, dream house,” she said in a CNBC Make It video.
She manages reforestation projects, habitat improvement, and wildfire support. Timber sales, she explained, are just a byproduct of the forest work.
Her overtime hours come during wildfire season, where she helps by managing data and maps for crews on the ground.
Myers has lived and worked in 18 states. Early on, she packed up everything she owned every six months to chase short-term forestry gigs.
“It was exciting at first, so it didn’t scare me away,” she said. But eventually, the instability wore her down. Securing a permanent role was a turning point. “It made the potential of making this a career feel real.”
She now shares a home and joint finances with her partner, who also works for the federal government.
They manage utilities and mortgage payments together, but keep grocery bills and personal spending separate.
She has no student debt thanks to help from her family and keeps about $20,000 in savings.
Her biggest splurge? Food. “I splurge on food, so whether that’s going out to eat or buying the nice cheese and the nice bread,” she said.
She also likes hosting friends for dinner parties.
YouTube Viewers: Supportive, But Worried
The video struck a chord with viewers, many of whom praised Myers for her work ethic and life choices.
“You’ve created a wonderful life for yourself — connecting the dots between what you love, work, and home,” one commenter wrote.
Another said, “Your commitment, resourcefulness, and tenacity have served you (and us) well. I’m grateful to have you and your colleagues tending our natural resources and public lands.”
But not everyone was celebrating. Many viewers zeroed in on one part of Myers’ story: her dependence on the federal government for job security.
“When she said she depends on the federal government for job security… y’all check on Sarah,” one comment read.
Another viewer echoed the sentiment: “My literal first thought was, ‘I hope she still has her job.'”
The fear isn’t entirely unfounded. Myers admitted she’s nervous about job stability, especially since her backup plans also rely on government work.
“That’s my concern right now—my plan B, my plan C, plan D, are all related to the federal government in some way,” she said.
Federal Job Cuts Fuel Anxiety
That concern is playing out across the country. Federal workers are scrambling for work as agencies targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) face deep budget cuts under the richest person in the world, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump’s supposed cost-cutting push.
According to Indeed, job applications from employees at agencies like the USDA, USAID and CFPB jumped over 50% in February alone.
They’re now 75% higher than in 2022. The federal government shed 10,000 jobs in February, with more layoffs expected.
“It’s not a good time to be looking for a job,” said Cory Stahle, an economist at Indeed, in an interview with NBC News.
He pointed out that while many of these workers have advanced degrees, job postings requiring higher education have slowed down compared to those requiring less.
Workers from agencies under DOGE scrutiny—such as the Department of Energy, EPA, NIH and FAA—have flooded the job market at levels not seen in past transitions. And searches for jobs in fields like “horticulture” and “employee relations” have spiked, reflecting the types of roles being cut.
A Job With Purpose
Still, many saw Myers as an example of financial responsibility and career fulfillment. She contributes to retirement, avoids debt, and tracks her spending carefully.
“I think my idea of being rich is just not having to worry about money,” she said. “Having that comfort and that stability where you could take a hit, you could take a surprise bill, or you could book a vacation on a whim.”
For Myers, it’s not just about the paycheck. It’s about stewardship. “I love the sense of history you get in the forests,” she said.
“There’s a real responsibility not just to our generation but for the next 2 or 3 generations in the future that will be affected by the decisions that we’re making now.”
Despite the concerns swirling in the comments—and in the broader federal workforce—Myers seems to have found her place — and purpose — in the forest.
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