r/Wildfire • u/mastr_shifoo • 4d 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/mastr_shifoo 4d 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 4d 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 4d 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 4d 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 3d 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/Spell_Chicken 3d ago

... How are you an FFT1 in your first year? That doesn't track.

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u/FeralHunny 3d ago

Oy🤦‍♀️ my bad- i meant FFT2. My brain is mud rn