Also called: Faller (Fire), Chainsaw Sawyer
Uses a chainsaw on the fireline to cut down trees and brush, clearing the way for crews.
Sawyers lead their hotshot or hand crews, cutting through thick brush and dropping dangerous burned trees, while a swamper clears the cut branches behind them. It's skilled, physical work.
Federal and contract seasonal pay plus hazard pay and overtime. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 0.5 years after high school. Wildland firefighter training plus sawyer certification.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Forestry, Fire Science.
Growing about average. Grows with fire seasons.
Low risk for 10 years. Saws get better but felling burned trees safely on a fireline stays human judgment.
Classes: Small engines CTE, PE / strength training, Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-2011.
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