Meet five individuals who, from the outside, seem to have the gig of a lifetime. The share details about their paycheck, plus perks and bummers.
Filmmaker
Sarah Menzies: Let Media, Seattle, WA
The paycheck $40,000
The gig Shooting documentary films and commercial projects (The Mirnavator, Afghan Cycles, A Steelhead Quest); running a production company
Perks Connecting with humans that I’d never meet otherwise; forging intimacy with people through the camera; going to places that I could barely dream of as a kid
Bummers Hustling up work and finding funding; unstable income (and experiencing sweaty fits of anxiety, wondering how I’m going to be able to pay my bills this summer)
Mountain Guide
Hannah Smith: RMI Expeditions & Sierra Mountaineering International, lives out of her truck
The paycheck $25,000
The gig Guiding clients on Denali, Rainier, Mt. Whitney, and Aconcagua; serving as a leader, teacher, coach, counselor, cheerleader, and drill sergeant
Perks My office is a gorgeous mountain; flexible schedule; the people—you don’t become a guide for the climbing, you do it because you like climbing and love people.
ܳThe wear and tear on my body; I deal with a lot of shit, as in literal feces; having to tell people they will not get to the summit they want so badly—it’s hard to crush someone’s dream
Supervisory Park Ranger
Jeremy Martin: Bureau of Land Management, Monticello, UT
The paycheck $45,000
The gig Monitoring natural resources, archaeological sites, trails, and OHV use across 2 million acres of public lands
Perks Working as a steward of the land; exploring, hiking, canyoneering, rafting, and doing the stuff that I would do anyway
Bummers Dealing with human impact; poop and paperwork about poop—I spend an incredible amount of time figuring out how much toilet paper to order.
Freelance Photographer
Matty Wong: Los Angeles, CA & Honolulu, HI
The paycheck $60,000
The gig Shooting for commercial clients in the outdoor and fashion industries (Hydro Flask, Old Navy, Phenix Baits, Brown Folks Fishing); serving as a photo assistant when work is slow
Perks Working with fish (unlike human models, they don’t talk back); opportunity to change perceptions of fishing and the outdoors; being able to preserve special moments in time
Bummers Lots of time staring at a screen; work ebbs and flows; brands sometimes don’t want to pay for professional imagery.
Founder & CEO
Jen Gurecki: Coalition Snow, Reno, NV
The paycheck $25,000
The gig Running a women’s snowsports hardgoods company (Coalition Snow) and media platform that includes a newsletter (Lady Parts), podcast (Juicy Bits), and quarterly print publication ()
Perks Creating something that adds value to people’s lives and challenges mainstream thought on what it means to be a woman outdoors; I get to be creative and problem-solve; serving as a role model and change-maker.
Bummers I’m on 24/7; I spend most of my time behind a computer; it’s stressful to stay cashflow positive; a ton of pressure to say and do the right thing