r/Wildfire • u/mastr_shifoo • 2d ago
Electrician
Im an inside wireman apprentice in Ca currently earning 45 an hr take home and im in my 2nd year. At 5 yrs ill be taking home 70+ and hr.dependent on area of project. Once journeyed out id be somewhere in the 80+ and with potential to get 120/hr…would leaving this career for wildland be a wise choice? In not exactly sure how much yall make but im assuming more than my potential. Let me know your thoughts . Thank you
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u/Kindly-Coyote-9446 2d ago
Imagine leaving a journeyman trade to work as a GS-3.
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u/mastr_shifoo 2d ago
Excuse my ignorance ..i really didn’t know electrical made more than wildland ..perhaps since i perceived it as much more physically dangerous i assumed wages were great.
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u/Kindly-Coyote-9446 2d ago
I’m not sure what different state or local crews make, but despite what you hear in the news Fed pay is pretty dismal.
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u/FeralHunny 2d ago
I’m step 5 in Oregon and make 22/hr. Not bad but lacking in other areas (no H pay and the boot stipend is an effing joke)
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u/Spell_Chicken 2d ago
Is that an ODF rate? What's "step 5" even mean? Are you FF1/IC5 on your module? What qualification or experience level is required for this Step 5?
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u/FeralHunny 2d ago
I’m an FFT1 and first year WWFF. I do have my Bachelor’s so I think that largely is responsible for my starting wage. I’m not sure if “step” is the right word- maybe rate? Idk whatever the “GS” equivalent is for ODF lol I’m familiar with FS pay scales but the ODF shit is all phrased so confusingly
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u/gOt_TheE_TiZz 2d ago
Please fucking don’t my guy. If you’re wanting to jump to Wildland fire at least get into Calfire.
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u/mastr_shifoo 2d ago
Damn i thought yall were more solid then cal fire..its hard to know the wages for calfire since i get so much misinformation regarding categories…
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u/gOt_TheE_TiZz 1d ago
Understandable my guy. But seriously don’t do feds. Invest in going to a FF1 academy and get all your shit and then decided where you wanna go. At that point municipal departments are where you wanna be at
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u/Dumpster_Zen 2d ago
Our big raise just happened though! 🤣🤘
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u/mastr_shifoo 2d ago
That shits confusing me ..how tf u get to the 90s wages?
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u/Dumpster_Zen 2d ago
Like 30 years of service? Haha I dont know.
Im at 9 years and make 27 an hour. So... math?
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u/mastr_shifoo 2d ago
Bro you deserve more! Are you planning to make this lifelong? Whats ur plans if not?
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u/Dumpster_Zen 1d ago
My plan is to foster a healthy work environment, make good memories, stash away what I am able to, live like a dirt bag in my car. Grind out as much overtime as I can in the summers, have an enjoyable 4 months off with my family friends. Continue that cycle until my masters is finished. Get a job as a janitor in antarctica for a contract or two. Then use my degree to teach elementary school.
But in reality... who knows! Maybe ill just cash out and move to Chile.
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u/mastr_shifoo 1d ago
Bro thats awesome ..it seems your super determined and everything you said is super realistic..you got it! Lol funny u say live like a dirt bag in car lol im currently doing that rn ..its only for a few days and ill be able to go home and spend with my family..best of luck to ya…and remember to always stop and smell the roses ..live in the moments
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u/mastr_shifoo 2d ago
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u/Impossible-Heat-9630 1d ago
Yes we know other trades get paid more. What the fuck is your problem?
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u/mastr_shifoo 1d ago
I dont have a problem..i had a doubt regarding occupations and wanted clarity ..wanted to know if id be short changing wages if i went full fledge wildfire
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u/Impossible-Heat-9630 1d ago
Why even ask dude? Most of your question was just bragging about how much you make doing what you already do. The answer is obvious and if you have to ask, you lack the critical thinking skills to be doing either job.
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u/mastr_shifoo 1d ago
Bragging!! You took my questins as bragging..its the honest truth ..perhaps change the lenses you view things from cause it wasnt bragging its putting it out there so i can get first hand opinions on reddit from men and woman in this field….perhaps your seeing it from an envious point of view ….
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u/trinitytreetime 2d ago
Dude I'm a 5th year journey man level firefighter for the feds I make 26 an hour