I work in the Alaska mining industry. I sometimes get paid in gold, but the job comes with long hours and grueling conditions.

• Justin Peterson moved to Alaska to pursue mining a little over 20 years ago.
• The industry has similarities to Australia's FIFO work, but the conditions can be rough.
• The hours are long, but the money is good, and some projects will partially compensate you in gold. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Justin Peterson, a 41-year-old gold miner in Alaska who has built a TikTok following of more than 20,000 users. This essay has been edited for length and clarity. Insider verified his identity, employment, and salary.

I moved to Alaska from Oregon to find work opportunities in the mining industry about 20 years ago.