Thinking about a new career path.

[Stomper]

I am 31 years old and have had the same type of job for 11 years and at the same company for 7 years. I have a warehouse job I receive raw grains and flour. I'm just not satisfied at the end of the day I don't feel like I have really used my brain much.

I keep getting told to go in to a skilled trade. I have been thinking about maybe plumbing. I hear there is a lot of demand for them right now so sounds like a good place to start.

Who works a trade and loves there job? Why? I would love to here from y'all and kinda help talk me in to it.

Dude,

I have been in HVAC for 27years. There is a SEVERE shortage of skilled labor in the trades. I used to LOVE installing when I was younger, but the real money is in the service/repair aspect of the trade and it doesn't beat one's body up as much.

I have a Class-5 boiler license, a LEB electrical license, a myriad of other certifications, and I work on everything from the big-boy chillers to the big-boy boilers and EVERYTHING in between ranging from reach-in coolers to automated building environmental control systems (those diverse skills equal awesome pay). I get tired and worn out at times, but I'm seldom bored.

I'm the HVAC service foreman for our Company that does >$80 million in annual gross sales (sometimes >$100 million) and I work an average of 2300-2500 hours a year (I'm paid hourly) and I EARN well into six-figures a year (not even counting my pension and benefits package). My cars and Harley are paid for, and my house will be paid off in about 7 more years. My next career phase (and challenge) is moving into management (from the office) when my boss (the service dept. manager) retires.

If things don't "change" I can punch out by the time I'm 62 and draw my full pension and do something else that interests me. The cool thing is that over time, MILLIONAIRES now seek out my professional input and make serious decisions based upon what I say.... THAT's respect, and it's actually kind of humbling.

If you have decent HS transcripts with at least one year of algebra (and you can tolerate more than a few "lefties") you can apply at our trade union, United Association Local 290 in Tualatin, . We have an accredited 5-yr apprenticeship program that gives you an associates degree when you're completed.

Keep in mind, pay and benefits are awesome but they don't just "give" you that money... you have to bring something to the table and EARN it.




Go check it out.

UA Local 290 | Serving Oregon, SE Washington & Northern California

 

[308]

^^^That's for sure, and its my job to design things for you to fix right after the warranty expires. You're welcome

 

[Sandaholic]

I have a buddy that is a plumber. He told me that the average age for journeymen is 55 and they are having trouble getting young men into the apprenticeship program. You work full time and go to class two nights a week for 4 years. You can make $100,000 a year. Prevailing wage jobs are $58/hr. It can be hard dirty work. I was a HVAC guy and was never out of a job. HVAC can be a lot more technical and typically pays less IMO.

Thats no lie. Few years ago I was on a job in central Oregon there were probably 12 of us. I was the baby on the crew at 36........blew my mind. Couple guys in their 40's but the bulk were in their 50's and 60's. Couple over 70! On an underground job no less. Hopping in and out of ditches, running a shovel at times.

 

[No_Regerts]

Ever thought of going into the medical field? Big shortage of male RNs. You can make great money while working less than full time.

 

[Stomper]

(Snicker).... male nurse.... (snicker, snicker) don't you have one that makes you a sammich and grabs your arse when you bring perps into the ER for BAC's?

 

[Stomper]

^^^That's for sure, and its my job to design things for you to fix right after the warranty expires. You're welcome

Look.... it's the birth of ANOTHER design "engineer"!

 

[308]

Look.... it's the birth of ANOTHER design "engineer"!

Well I do know what I'm doing. At least that's what I tell myself

 

[AK0perator47]

Having done various different trades and looking at the fact that I am getting older I suggest picking one, getting licensed and certified be like the rest of us monkeys. I have just applied for an electrician apprenticeship program. 5 years for high voltage journeyman and the pay scale is going up $15 more per hour over the next 5 years. I should have just picked one years ago and just stuck with it.

What happens when you are a knucklehead that knows it all. Just ask me I'll tell you!

Service and repair is where it's at though. You make a great wage and you are in and out without wasting a bunch of energy. Crawl spaces suck! If you want to stay clean don't pick a skilled labor profession. The difference between a low voltage electrician and high voltage, besides possibly frying yourself, is about $15-$20 per hour. High voltage can also install low voltage but not the other way around. Don't be discouraged by some jack wagon saying that he read something online or did a Google search. They always think they know better. Truthfully, if they want to waste time and money, let them. Just laugh because you know better.

Anyway good luck and remember that engineers are just like architects, everything looks great on paper but in practical applications and service afterwards they both USUALLY have NO clue.

 

[AK0perator47]

Oh and most importantly, get to know and help the other skilled tradesmen on the job sites. It makes it so much easier and A TON of FUN running the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC the right way and watching the architects face change different shades of red! Because he didn't think of it and it works better than his layout!

I know let's just get the plumber to put a clean out right next to the HVAC return. That always works out great! Stupid arse hat!

 

[11Charlie]

Go become POTUS then we can have someone on the inside!!!!

 

[Argonaut]

I was a self employed Oregon contractor that did custom remodeling and new home construction for over 30 years.
I basically did everything starting from the ground on up to the roof.
Concrete work was the hardest and electrical wiring was the easiest. Plumbing was in the middle.
If I had to pick one trade, I wouldn't pick plumbing.

One of my sons does that now in the Bay Area. He was an apprenticed electrician but has been a general doing the kind of work you did for 10 years, Very high quality work for selected customers. Million dollar remodels. I am sure he is making 400,000 a year with few employees.

 

[peternov01]

I'm a rig welder, for those that don't know what that is i have my own truck and tools and go do jobs on a bid basis. i've done erection, tilt-ups, mechanical construction, and oil industry, everything from banks, sam's clubs, frito lays plants, food processing, windmills to pipeline, oil or water tanks, co-gen plants, chemical plants, refineries, cement plants, and i could go on. I started in 91' and stopped in 2012. the hours suck but i was making 10k a month clear in 91'. If you are willing to put in the time and learn the trade, and i mean all of the welding processes from tig to stick get certs in all you can and be willing to travel from one side of the country to the other. Own a ton of equipment. It is a great job. I had a lot of fun and got to see a lot of places. and there is always work in the oil fields and in food processing plants when times are lean. BUT if i could go back and knew what i know now i would go into healthcare and have a nice cushy job inside where it is never 120 outside and i'm in a ditch in leathers having to air arc out someone's mess so i can fix it. Or doing tube turns in the rain with makeshift tarps trying my best not to get shocked. Oh and to you know still be able to hear out of my left ear and be able to see w/o glasses or any number of burns, broken bones and other things that happen.

 

[AK0perator47]

Go become POTUS then we can have someone on the inside!!!!

I would run if I had a degree. When asked about why I did certain things... simple answer, because it felt good!

When I don't win, we are selling a book and movie rights. Gotta gets our scratch somehow!

 

[jsparks747]

You could become a river pilot on the Columbia!

 

[jsparks747]

All things aside, there is good money in HVAC and systems professions. I doubt you would want to move but there are some great jobs up in Port Townsend, mainly marine systems and shipwrighting but there is some good money to be found in it, $100,000+ A year. It requires a good amount of math and a lot of brain to do but it is a interesting field.

 

[etrain16]

Been in the electrical trade for 25 years. Still hold my journeyman wireman license, but I've been out of the feild a while now. My installer career led me to a career designing electrical systems, managing projects, estimating and programming systems. I think it's a great career path whether you go inside wireman (5 years) or Low Voltage (4 years). Personally, both routes are worthwhile, though there seem to be more opportunities for inside wireman than for LE's. IW also pays more. Either way, you can make good money, get good benefits, use your brain, build things you'll be proud of and have opportunities available to you in many places. Licensed IW's and LE's are always in demand. And remember, Inside Wiremen can also do the same work as LE's - but will be paid more to do it. I see it quite often in our own company when we don't have enough LE's and we put IW's on the project.

Lots of good trades out there, but fair warning, trades like painters, dry walkers, iron workers, masons, etc. can be much harder on your body and may leave you with a shorter career. Just something to think about.

That said, listening to @Stomper's thoughts, I may just have to make a career change and become a tin knocker

 

[Member 34319]

The most enjoyable thing I've done for money was drive.

If you can get a class B CDL and find a local line haul.

Go big and get a class A and make even more money.

I found my favorite was delivery. Local routes.

I liked the solidarity of driving, combined with the interaction with my customers a prefect balance.

 

[snarlingdog]

Ever thought of going into the medical field? Big shortage of male RNs. You can make great money while working less than full time.

When I first started thinking about changing jobs RN was something I seriously considered but then it boiled down to keeping a cool head even when people are in your face and that sounds like a bad spot for me some people just rub me the wrong way....

 

[snarlingdog]

This is great stuff guys. Thanks a lot on the personal input. Its probably a good idea to do a math brush up since I only have to do pretty basic math these days. But Im willing to do that if it means a career that I feel good about getting into.

 

[USMC1911]

If your thinking about electrical trade, inside or outside all I can say is go union. I'm an Ibew 125 lineman apprentice and LOVE the daily challenges that come with it. 1st year as an apprentice I made over 110k not including benefits. Like everyone else has said make sure your algebra is on point most apprenticeships require a college level algebra class within the last 2 years to even apply.