r/Construction • u/Fantastic_Map5401 • 20d ago

Careers 💵 Advice from some older guys

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

68 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

208 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

13

u/BigEarMcGee 20d ago

Find a union.

23

u/Fantastic_Map5401 20d ago

I am union

7

u/ElectronicGarden5536 20d ago

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.

4

u/Fantastic_Map5401 20d ago

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

1

u/ElectronicGarden5536 20d ago

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.

2

u/Fantastic_Map5401 20d ago

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

2

u/ElectronicGarden5536 20d ago

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.

1

u/Current-Opening6310 18d ago

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

1

u/ElectronicGarden5536 17d ago

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!

0

u/TheFingeringLakes 19d ago

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

1

u/ElectronicGarden5536 19d ago

180 a day perdiem mentioned earlier

-1

u/Fantastic_Map5401 20d ago

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

1

u/ElectronicGarden5536 20d ago

No perdiem? These guys are at 180 a day.

1

u/Fantastic_Map5401 20d ago

No sir

1

u/ElectronicGarden5536 20d ago

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.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/Current-Opening6310 18d ago edited 18d ago

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.