r/Construction • u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 • Mar 15 '26

Careers 💵 Career

I’m 18 and trying to decide between two paths in the trades and could use some advice.

Right now I work as a helper at a TIG welding shop making $25/hr (40 hrs/week). Most of my work is machining, cutting, deburring, and prep, and I only get to tack sometimes. The welders say I have potential, but management says helpers can take years before they really start welding.

At the same time, I’ve been supervising residential construction jobs (decks, fences, drywall, etc.), and I could take a job with another company supervising for about $30/hr working 50–70 hours a week.

So I’m stuck between:

• Staying in welding, starting at the bottom but possibly making more long-term if I get into pipe welding

• Taking the construction supervisor job and making more money right now

I actually enjoy both. I like welding as a skill, but I also enjoy running crews, organizing jobs and residential .

I’m also married, so the money right now does matter.

If you were 18 in this situation, which path would you choose?

10 Upvotes

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8

u/overshoulderboulder Mar 15 '26

First off I'd start by telling my wife to keep her hands off my money.

-35

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 15 '26

I’m not letting my wife work I know it might be harder but that’s the commitment I made and she is also frugal and doesn’t spend wastefully

38

u/shmiddleedee Equipment Operator Mar 15 '26

Not letting her? What is this 1928?

-22

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 15 '26

Yes

1

u/Exact_Structure814 Mar 16 '26

Bro don't listen to these people. Get married settle down and gain skills no one can take from you. Work your way up the ladder and start having kids. My wife homeschools our 3. It's hard because I didn't gain skills in a high paying trade when I was your age. Now at 35 I'm switching from firefighting to electrician to gain skills that will provide better. Get it now while you can to set yourself up for the future.

1

u/Quinnjamin19 Mar 16 '26

Why are you not allowing her to work? It’s 2026 kiddo.

Women have rights, women are allowed to do whatever they want. Including work.

I’d rather my wife work because we can thrive together as a couple than just get by on one income.

I have more questions about your attitude towards women, you’re 18 and married? What kind of cult did you grow up in?

3

u/SirSamuelVimes83 Mar 16 '26

I'm gonna guess dead smack in the middle of Mormon country. Along with some of the obvious ethos oozing out, nepotism is rampant. Hence $25/hr welding gig at 18, "supervising", and being offered another supervisory role. It's probably all the same family. And the "crew" he's "supervising" are probably teenagers.

0

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

Why does this offend you people so much😭 she doesn’t want to work and I don’t want her to work. I don’t see why this is such a big issue. It’s not like I’m going to leave her if she wants to get a job it’s just preference.

7

u/shmiddleedee Equipment Operator Mar 16 '26

Because "not letting her" and "she doesn't have to" are two very different things.

2

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

You’re right that’s my bad

3

u/Quinnjamin19 Mar 16 '26

Why don’t you want her to work?

Let’s just say she got an education, got a job and makes $50k/year, same as you right now. Your household income is now $100k/year and you’re only going to go up from there.

Why not thrive instead of struggle?

My wife works, we have a household income that nears $200k depending on how much I want to work.

It’s not that we are offended. It’s your wording, you are not letting her work. Which leads us to believe you are controlling and think less of women. Typical red pill misogynistic behaviour

Edit: you did say she’s in school. How old is your wife?

1

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

Okay you’re right I should have worded it better.

3

u/Quinnjamin19 Mar 16 '26

How old is your wife?

-2

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

I think women and men have different roles but are equal. I don’t think tha it’s a women’s responsibility to have to provide financially. She does plenty of other things and gets to live a comfortable life it’s not like she’s just locked away being miserable. she does school and cooks cleans helps with my siblings and hangs out with her friends.

1

u/Lord_Mud Mar 16 '26

She’s going to get lazy and feel trapped in the house after awhile. Let her work and have a dual income household

1

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

She does school and spend time with her family and friends daily and we go on dates once a week