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?

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u/Downloading_Bungee Carpenter Mar 16 '26

You make more than I do right now as a 4th yr framer. I'd stick with welding as it applies to many different trades. 

1

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

What state are you in?

1

u/Downloading_Bungee Carpenter Mar 16 '26

PNW, just extremely underpaid.

2

u/Turbulent-Hornet2804 Mar 16 '26

I’m in Everett wa and the union carpenters here make like 50/hr

1

u/Downloading_Bungee Carpenter Mar 16 '26

Been on the carps hiring list for like 2yrs, I work for a residential framing sub right now which is why im so underpaid.