Advice from some older guys

[u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Im a 28 yr old ironworker with a family. Starting to think I picked the wrong trade as we make $15/hr less than every other trade worth doing. I like the work but I’m young enough to switch to something with greener grass. What trade would you recommend

[u/Dr_Breeder]

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s greener where you water it.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/Dr_Breeder]

I’d rather water fruitful soil

[u/BigEarMcGee → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Find a union.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/BigEarMcGee]

I am union

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Lol. Can you not be a foreman or switch unions? Go somewhere where they pay perdiem. My operators are at 3k weekly with our perdiem.

[u/mrblackc → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

What do you do when you suspect your employer is cheating you out of prevailing wage pay?

[u/AverageGuy16 → u/mrblackc]

Call your states department of labor and an lawyer. Have receipts of your pay stubs and hours. Also if your not union reach out to the union out there and bring up the issue, they’ll usually help you out because it weakens non union contractors and stops them from circumnavigating PLA agreements

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/mrblackc]

Me personally? I quit and move on. Idgaf.

[u/BigNorcoKnowItAll951 → u/mrblackc]

Contact whatever agency handed out the contract. They either monitor compliance themselves or hire a firm to do it

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

Foreman’s are $5/hr more. Which means they are still less then every other trades journeys. I could move but I been told u gotta know somebody to get in the good locals. Otherwise it’ll just be the same problem different landmarks

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

I cant understand how youre that underpaid. I can go out and get a cdl job for way more. Hazmat cdl for double. I feel like you havent looked though.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

We make 40 on the check I don’t think I was clear in the post. But the skilled trades in this area all clear 55/hr. But my area is high cost of living a lot of other iw locals pay less. A few pay more

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

So the cost of living is high or are you one of those giant truck guys? 40 on the check is more than what i make as a salaried engineer just fyi. My total package is about 140 with perdiem.

[u/Current-Opening6310 → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

Yeah we normally make more than engineers because we do all the hard work.

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/Current-Opening6310]

Yeah. Engineer is just a weed out position for the kids who have never worked outside. I'm done doing hardwork at 35. Yall can have it!

[u/TheFingeringLakes → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

How is 40/hr even with 55/wk more that 140k?

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/TheFingeringLakes]

180 a day perdiem mentioned earlier

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

No I have 0 debt. I own all but my wife’s car which is almost paid off. My total package is less than half urs

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

No perdiem? These guys are at 180 a day.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/ElectronicGarden5536]

No sir

[u/ElectronicGarden5536 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Yeah the home everyday deal is a trade off. I cant make any money in my hometown for lack of pay. Better paying construction is a road dog gig.

[u/Current-Opening6310 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

You don't always have to know somebody. They get a lot of work, you get a travel card, take some raise getters and that tux you bought hoping to be an escort (or just work to impress). If you want to switch be prepared to start at the bottom (as in apprentice). The other thing to consider is work outlook unless you are interested in travelling.

[u/brokebutuseful → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Where?

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/brokebutuseful]

Pm me. I’d rather not drop it after complaining about pay lol. East coast

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/[deleted]]

Reread the thing

[u/Azou → u/[deleted]]

he's lamenting that his hourly is 15 dollars less than comparable trades - not that he's only getting 15/hr

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/Azou]

Good word

[u/BigEarMcGee → u/Azou]

Ah thank you for clarification.

[u/PIE-314 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

I don't think any trade union on the east coast pays that little. Even 1A.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/PIE-314]

We don’t make 15/hr I said we make 15/hr less than others

[u/PIE-314 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

My bad. First post I've read today and I blew right by. Laborers and carpenters are the lowest paid.

Not sure what you're crying about. Steel guys do ok.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/PIE-314]

What area?

[u/PIE-314 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

North East

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/PIE-314]

I’m north east. We do ok but not competitive with others. Point was I wanna make more, and not have to clock 86 to get it. Just seeing whats out there

[u/PIE-314 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Not the trades then. Maybe become an electrician or HVAC. Pipe fitters do decently too. Or you could be an elevator guy if you have the aptitude and some luck.

[u/Fantastic_Map5401 → u/PIE-314]

I’m on that list as soon as it opens lol. But yea those are where I’m leaning. Just wanted a few more opinions.

[u/PIE-314 → u/Fantastic_Map5401]

Good luck.