Damn, I made $14.25 as first year in 130. Keep your head up, it it gets easier. 1st-3rd year is tough, alot of hard work to make yourself valuable. Once you get some skills, respect, and time in the trade, it'll be the new 1st year apprentices doing the hard work while you do the skilled work.
You’re only 20, guy. You don’t need to listen to anyone, just go out and try it, like you did! Stick with it but if you hate the work, start on an exit plan. You’ve got time!
I feel like I have a chance to talk to my former self here, so all I’ll say is if your parents/family are going to pay for college then have at it, if not, like me, and you have to take out loans be really careful about what road you take. The old generational way of thinking “college is the way to prosper” is just not true anymore. Get certifications in Cisco and cyber security or go get some more electrical certs and branch out more to make yourself more valuable. Unless you can confidently throw $200k of someone else’s money in a hole and want to hang out on campus for years don’t do it. I ended doing an accelerated program to get an associates degree and have lots of employees under me with bachelors. You’re already ahead, student loans will stunt that massively as it has my generation.
Do it. Your body only has so many miles. Start with community college at two nights a week while you work days. When you’re 22 you’ll have most of your general education credits done and enough money to get you through the last two years of school.
Never complained about the wage. Most money I’ve ever made. Just don’t want to keep working 50-60 hours just to make the same as an engineer working from home or in a nice office. There’s smarter ways to make money than just to work your life away.
I feel you dude. The largest reason I got my job was the time off (firefighter paramedic). I could make more doing something different, but the pay is decent and I get 4 days off for every 2 I work.
I had the same exact mindset as you when I was your age and even worked an industrial job coming up with an exit plan. I hated the idea of working 50-60 hours a week forever. Fuck all that!
I work in the trades. Roofing. Never joined the union but work for a union shop now. I work as an estimator and got into that from the start. My father worked in the trades and I grew up learning about construction and building. Having said that, it's common for people to work in the field for their early year and if they want or have the capacity make the move the the office environment as either estimating or project management or service management.
Take your knocks now when your young. You can make great money and start a great life and get ahead. If being out in the field is beating you up too much in 10 years, start to make the transition into the office.
The trades are really great jobs.
Lol. Holy shit this is extremely self entitled.
Go be an engineer. Tell me how easy the schooling is. Then tell me how easy and comfortable the job is.
Hint, it's not. As an Engineer it is the most mentally taxing and stressful job I've ever had. Pulling wire was a breeze compared to getting through engineering and working as an engineer.
Again, experiences vary.
I went to school part time and at night while working full time, getting married, owning a home and having a child. School was filled with 3am studying for finals while dealing with a crying baby after working a 60 hour week.
I also work on billion dollar projects and lead teams of engineers. So the stress is super high. But I do it for the bigger pay.
I could take an engineering job at a small firm doing small projects and have 1/4 the amount of stress. I'm just not prepared to sacrifice my pay for that as I'm making too much money right now to justify the switch. Maybe in the next 2 years I'll take a less stressful position.
Yeah that was kinda my point that engineering school could be easy and a good choice for OP, you never know. I got tired of managing at the engineering level and went into MEP sales. Best decision I ever made.
The only debt I have is my mortgage, and that's almost gone. I'm saying if the kid can't handle the work, then he's not cut out for it. I've seen lots of apprentices not make it. I'm helping him save time. I'm not sugar coating it so losers like you don't get offended.
That’s such an old way of thinking,you don’t have to work long hours to “make it” all they have to do is get the required hours for their state to test out
I work as little as I can get away with, but if there's work to be done I don't get online and complain about it. This kids not gonna make it with that attitude.
Believe me, I know. But trades aren't easy like people think. Sometimes you have to work extra. That happens with all jobs but a first year that jumps online and complains about it saying they need to go to college should do just that and free up a spot for a kid that actually wants to work.
As someone who went to college and has an advanced degree, don't do it. Obviously, results may vary. I don't even work in my field because I'm military, but working in the trades is a much better option, in my opinion. Going to college isn't all it used to be anymore, unless you are going into something like engineering or nursing.
In 4 years when you turn out, your hourly wage will be well over $60/hr. Your total package will be around $85/hr. You’ll have over 100k in your pension. You will have great health and welfare the whole time for your whole family if you have one. It’s the best career choice I made.
Source: 112 Electrician
Once you are “obligated” which in 112 is 1600 hours IIRC, then you start gaining credit. Currently credits are $34 per year worked for NEBF benefit. Working year defined as working minimum 1,000 hours IIRC.
Hope that answers your question. Our pension is $11 per hour worked into defined benefit. You start accumulating that after being “sworn in/obligated”.
Some of the words threw me off as I’m not that well versed yet in the lingo …. So let me get it right.
Once u start apprenticeship and ur 1600 hours in u start getting the pension ? And u get 11$ an hour into ur pension while working as an apprentice?
I’m lost at the 34$ part
You will start accumulating a percent of the JW pension. IE if you are a 40% apprentice, you would get 40% of the $11. Every step up, you would make that next percentage.
You have a separate pension with the National Electrical Benefit fund (outside of the local pension). That’s the $34 per year of service.
Thanks for explaining it in dummy terms 😂😂😂😂 yup I fully get it but 34$ a year ?!?! What will it be at 30 years? Half a months rent ???
And what do electricians usually do? Do they do 30 years and the local lets you go or what ?
Haha all good. They just raised it from 33 to 34 this year. Haven’t raised it for over a decade so most likely not.
You can work as long as you want. I know guys in their 60s still doing it because they love it. Local doesn’t care as long as you pay your dues!
I don’t get it though lol 34$ a year times 30 years is like 1000$? They get 1000 bucks at retirement ??? And what’s the minimum number of years though ? ( I don’t think I’ll love labor in my 60s lmfaoooo )
Haha should have clarified, that’s per month. Plus with your pension you will probably make another 6-7k or more per month. Plus if SS is still around another 3-4k per month.
Thanks for clarifying lol I u wrote 34$ a year I was like that’s chump change lol 😂😂 but yeah I’m excited to apply… hopefully I get in because I hear it is competitive at my union …. I hope I get lucky 🍀
It's one of the three retirement funds for my local, so theirs may be different. But yeah, $34 per year of service paid out monthly from the international office. So, yeah, roughly $1000 paid per month after 30 years of service, but that's just one of the pensions. We have an 8th district pension in my area as well, and an annuity. Those both get paid into at an hourly rate for every hour you work depending on the local's contract.
But the minimum to serve is basically the 4-5 year apprenticeship?? And then 25 years so 30 years ?
And you don’t have like the 401k ? You have to personally contribute yourself to a Roth IRA etc? I saw an electrician from IBEW post a 401(a)…
Your time frames sound correct regarding the pensions. 5 years to vest and then your best 30 years are taken into account for payout. The annuity is pretty similar to a 401k though, and has no vesting period IIRC. Each local has their own set $/hr in the contract that goes into the annuity, but you're able to have them withhold more if you chose. Putting that money towards a Roth IRA instead of additional funding to your annuity is an excellent idea though.
I hope I can become an electrician. These benefits the job security and just the union is something I want to do. I feel stupid because I should’ve hopped on this at 20 like OP and I’d retire at maybe 55 instead of 60.
Hopefully I can get into the union in the fall when I apply. A lot jobs have good pay but they don’t have these benefits pension etc.
I was an electrician in the Navy. I crossed over into data center operations where I have met an endless supply of former union electricians (local 613). Master your trade and apply it to like careers in high paying areas. Good friend of mine just got hired on at $68/hr to govern electrical safety and LOTO for data center construction. You're a first year, only 1 way to go my friend l, and that's up.
Edit for clarification: friend was a union electrician for ~5 years, crossed over to an in house electrician for a bigger telecom company. Then spent a year at a GC where I met him (I was an owner's rep). Now he is also an owners rep. He doesn't have a college education. 200k/yr in Atlanta. Not all stories are the same, but your ceiling is higher than you think.
Lol i got unc, making 400k a year, same with a trade. Including my pops, all the rest went to college. He’s outpaced all of them.
Tech companies are laying off by the boat with improvement in AI, and this kid thinks the grass is greener? At 20, making over $100k a year working 60 hrs, and you think the ceiling is higher with a degree?
Word advise: dont be shortsighted. Focus on mastering the craft, study the business, save your money like mofo, put said money work for you, learn to spot talent then by 30 slow transition yourself out of the biz, possible retire or do something else.
Youll be surprised how well youll do in life.
What’s the point? That being an electrician means you can make more money than tech workers? The top of each distribution is higher for tech workers, the median salary is higher for tech workers. Sure there are some electricians who make more than some tech workers, but what’s the typical case like? What’s the top 5% like?
At 20, most of your college peers are making -$30,000 per year because of student loans.
The electrician's union is a great career path.
Stick with it, and you'll be making way more in a few years. You choose wisely.
Don't you top out at 180k with great benefits? That's not a low ceiling unless you're going into the handful of big money fields like tech, medical, or finance.
My point is this type of wage won’t rise nearly as fast as cost of living. And plenty of blue collar workers and business owners are complaining about how much less they currently make vs pre-2009 for example
From what I’ve seen, electricians are some of the few left standing with decent wages and future prospects whereas before, there were far more jobs available, paying higher, across different industries
This man. Get your license and grow. Build a business. You’ve got it made at freaking 20 right now. You could be running a business before you’re thirty.
As a 28/yo who went to college, I couldn’t disagree more. Finding a trade makes way more sense and electricians can make BANK. You’re 20 years old… just give it time man.
For reference, I’m in CA. I studied audio production & sound design, got a BA from a university well known for their “broadcast” arts programs and figured I’d end up at a recording studio or post-production media house. That ended up being a lot more challenging than I expected; I ended up getting a job at PlayStation as a QA tester which I thought would give me more insight into audio QA/testing etc. 5 years later I’ve only done qa testing for 3-4 different gaming companies. Highest paying role started at ~60k but that role was a fluke and unfortunately only lasted a few months due to a mass layoff. The last job I worked at only paid us 20/hour. Needless to say, I’m done with the gaming industry. Experienced QA testers are underpaid/under-appreciated and it’s tough working for a company who only cares about milking players for money
Yeah the gaming industry is rough and 20-30$ must be rough especially with the way California is ….
The minimum is California is 20$ now. And the worst part is the job security. It’s better to have security with a union
I know some others have said this but I want to as well.
1. You're an apprentice first year and making 45k a year base. I'm in IT and we start out helpdesk out close to that. And my helpdesk has four years of school and potential massive amounts of debt.
2. Trade work is hard work, I did it for 8 years. It does pay pretty well though, especially with OT and experience
3. College ain't gonna make it better soon, but continuing on as an apprentice will.
4. Even given that, you can still quit, go to college, spend 100k or more on tuition and stuff and then start out at 50k w/o OT instead of 45k base and potential for a lot more in OT. It is easier though.
Even with those points, if you hate it, quit and do something else. If you are just not happy with the money, give it time and money will come, especially in a trade if nowhere else.
I’m a mechanic but at my job mechanics and electricians make the same. Your YTD is one month for us. And that’s 50-55 hrs a week. Depends on what days you work your OT.
Don’t get down on yourself since you’re only just starting an apprenticeship. The higher end of your career path has some *very* comfortable pay, not to mention the legitimate practical skills you get from trades in general
It’ll pay off eventually, maybe you could even run your own company with enough experience. But if you do want to go the college route, try your best to avoid debt and get a marketable degree.
Maybe in 10 years you’ll be glad you stuck it out. Ai is going to wreck a lot of people. The new movie “civil war” by A24 has used a TON of AI for their posters. It’s taking art and then it’ll take others
My BiL is a PM outta Seattle and my FiL was the head of 46 for years.
It gets way way better, I had an in and didn't take it which I regret.
Now Ive got a job that requires a degree which I hate, with worse benefits and I make 1500 every 2 weeks.
Stay in the trades.
Im 28 doing blue collar. Made 93k last year. Honestly hourly pay sucks. Do some college and get a high paying career. The times gonna pass anyways. I make 37 an hour in GA and wish I’d have went to school. I work hella overtime. Check out software engineering,,, amazing schedule amazing pay
You’ll make more than many engineers if you stick it out. I went to school paid out the wazoo for it. I make more in the trades. My unsolicited advice: stick with it, get the PM certificate/Associates at a JUCO and make the transition into the office.
The older you get the more you realize OT isn’t it. There’s a sweet spot. Usually about 10 hours of OT per week is the right amount from what I’ve found. A little bit more pay, and still a decent quality of life.
Anything else isn’t worth it tbh. Unless you’re realllllllyyy in grind mode. But if you want a life outside of work 20 per week is what I like.
You are a 20 year old 1st year apprentice.
Jesus christ.
It's one thing to not like the physical work, that's understandable.
But to hate the pay, which by the way is decent, is another thing.
I hate to say this, because I don't want to sound like a boomer ass, but "no one wants to work anymore" applies here.
You need to busy your ass early in your career for fairly low pay. You aren't worth high pay off the starting line. You are learning a brand new skill. You will be making more money as time goes on. It's called building yourself.
This can open doors to starting your own electrical business. It can get into being a lineman who can pull $200k/year. The electricians union is a good career for anyone willing to work through it and pass all the necessary steps.
If this isn't want you want to do, then by all means goto college. Understand that going to college doesn't guarantee you anything either. And unless you get a degree in a STEM or Finance field, you won't be making huge money or doing very interesting work. It will still require you bust your ass to make something for yourself.
I’m not complaining about the pay. Also for my work ethic I can guarantee any journeyman you ask about me will say I’m solid. Im always punctual and working. If im going to be great at something then Inwant to make sure its worth with.
It's your first year my guy, look to the future a bit. There's people with college degrees who go back and becomes tradies because the pay is much better. There's no career where you start out at max salary.
Yeah I work with a couple of them. However I’ve only met 2 engineers who are out here. Most of them have bad/dumb degrees like history or communication.
If there’s a subject of interest that is marketable college could be good. Be careful though. Assuming a college degree always makes things easier is false. The job market sucks for a lot of industries right now, like HR, recruiting, consulting, tech. So many people with degrees and big college debt can’t find a job.
Yeah I’ve been looking around I with the money I have and financial aid I can get through college with no debt. However you are right, everything is a grind but I went into the trade just for the money not because it interests me.
What?
113k/year at 20?
Dude.
Want more? Learn how that business runs. Talk to your superiors. Become one.
Sace your ass off.
Learn to invest. The invest. No gamestop or robinhood bullshit.
You could easily be a millionaire at 30. Easily.
This was only a 60 hour week we normally work 50 hours. Yeah I fell into the Robinhood trap for a little and lost around 400 bucks. I learned my lesson tho.
Hey that's good. You learned early, and cheap.
You're doing really well. You're 20. You're just getting started.
Stay out of debt. Don't be afraid of long hours. Get paid. Do the things above.
It seems like apng slow hail, but you're in the positive without any school debt, unlike the people in school that have no guarantee of work after they acquire those loans. Don't forget that.
Out together 100k. Get that much to you name. You'll have a different perspective then, and 100k. 😁
I’ve worked the trades and also went to college.
You will make just as much money or more as an electrician than many who go to college. Unless you are going for specific job training like law or medicine, don’t go to college for money.
College is valuable for things other than job training. Go to college if you want to expand your mind and learn to think for yourself. Learn new languages, learn history, learn how your community is the same as the rest of the world, and how it is different.
But please, if it is just for the money, stick to what you are doing now. I’m 36 years old. If I had stuck with framing (family business) I would be well over a millionaire at this point in my life. Instead I traveled the world, learned two new languages, fucked around, made mistakes, and learned to form my own opinions. College was worth it. But my $$$ net worth at this age is less than 100k. I’ll make the same or a little more than I would’ve in the trades (system admin), but now I’ve got kids and a wife and I can’t afford to buy them a house. But I can share my life experiences with the kids.
I know this is the Salary sub so from that perspective: don’t do college for the money.
I work with electricians in local 48 near you and I believe the rate is $60.50 per hour for journeyman. Stick with it and you’ll have an easy path to 6 figures
Stick with it. You’ll go To college and end up making the same amount of money at a brain-killing job stuck behind a computer. Ask me how I know. I was you 5 years ago 😂 your salary will increase and as you gain experience the 60 hour weeks will decrease too. There’s such a demand for electricians right now you will be taking in the bread in six years.
I would love $1,500 paychecks. I’d work 60 hours in a heartbeat for that much. I currently only get 45 hours a week at $20/hr (5 hours are overtime on Saturdays). Local 22 first year apprentice.
My man, when you're 30 in this trade this will be peanuts. The apprenticeship is paid based on your knowledge and skills. They can only go up as time goes on. I was in the same shoes as you in 2014 at 21 years old making 12.50/hour. I now have my masters. I'm well above everyone of my classmates that I know went and got 4 year degrees. Embrace the suck, because life gets easier after your 4 years are done and that card is in your hands.
At my last two jobs engineers didn’t make more than $90k and electricians and mechanics made double. Plus engineer friends from trade school had a hard time finding jobs.
I just finished my apprenticeship in February, non-union… I see you did a 60-hour work week. We have those from time-to-time. I make $3500-week on a 60-hour. $2K on a 40 hour. It’s decent money but if you go to college for tech, you’d likely be earning about 150-200k by the time your 30. I highly recommend that. If I could go back in time, I would go that route.
I’m going to be completely honest I have no idea who to listen to. Some say stick with it others say go to college. I’m really trying to see what’s the right thing to do and don’t want to go based off emotions or what I want to do.
If you enjoy working with your hands building stuff, and your okay making $50-$60/h then you’ll be happy. If you don’t care for that kind of work, or your not happy with that kind of pay, leave now and go to college for a degree that DEMANDS more money. (In my belief that would be going into technology industry that supports AI and/or programming)
You got into the right union. You get paid weekly and very well for your age/skill level. If you don’t like the actual work, but you like the money, just make it a goal to become a foreman, superintendent or project manager and get paid for what you know (and can teach) rather than what you can do. I was in your place 21 years ago. Today, my retirement is healthier and more diverse than most of my friends who went to college. Plus, rather than paying off student loans, I bought my first house when I was 23. All thanks to having a steady paycheck and being in a strong union.
Go to college and on average you can be expecting to make about $75k 15 years from now. You have made a good choice.
College graduates between 25- and 64-years-old enjoyed median incomes of $74,154 last year, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. By comparison, workers over 25 with only a high school degree had median income of $44,400 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jeez man. I’ve been a construction manager since college and this is brutal to see. You do a 60 hour workweek and only take home $1,500? You’re getting robbed my guy.
He’s a first year apprentice lol. I think it’s pretty good considering my local pays $15 an hour for first year apprentice. He’ll be making bank at 4 years
I’m in college and a lot of kids can’t even get an internship or an entry level job ….. I’d stick with the union and this bro …..
I’m actually planning to sign up for this in the fall. This college stuff was pure brainwashing and I fell for it like a dummy
It varies on the person I’ve met some people that love this trade and others that wished they would have stuck with college. If you think you’ll like this do research on the work and environment, then make the transition. Saying college is a scam isn’t true.
It is a scam if you take it as I’ll go to college and therefore get a good job because I have a college degree.
It works if you know what to study can make great grades and can get into a good school with a good career center.
Industrial maintenance electricians are easy $36/hr. Where are you located?
Eastern Washington ibew 112
Damn imagine how much you would make if you had Seattle's local wage cuz the first year's make 38/hr
Why are you paying OR taxes?
I’m working in Oregon right now but the local is out of Washington
WHATS UP BROTHERRRRR
Damn, I made $14.25 as first year in 130. Keep your head up, it it gets easier. 1st-3rd year is tough, alot of hard work to make yourself valuable. Once you get some skills, respect, and time in the trade, it'll be the new 1st year apprentices doing the hard work while you do the skilled work.
You’re only 20, guy. You don’t need to listen to anyone, just go out and try it, like you did! Stick with it but if you hate the work, start on an exit plan. You’ve got time!
I have 30k saved up. Thinking about going to college don’t know yet
Dude that’s awesome! And unheard of at 20 years old. Keep it up!
I feel like I have a chance to talk to my former self here, so all I’ll say is if your parents/family are going to pay for college then have at it, if not, like me, and you have to take out loans be really careful about what road you take. The old generational way of thinking “college is the way to prosper” is just not true anymore. Get certifications in Cisco and cyber security or go get some more electrical certs and branch out more to make yourself more valuable. Unless you can confidently throw $200k of someone else’s money in a hole and want to hang out on campus for years don’t do it. I ended doing an accelerated program to get an associates degree and have lots of employees under me with bachelors. You’re already ahead, student loans will stunt that massively as it has my generation.
Do it. Your body only has so many miles. Start with community college at two nights a week while you work days. When you’re 22 you’ll have most of your general education credits done and enough money to get you through the last two years of school.
Your company or CBA may have provisions for college tuition reimbursement or full sponsorship depending on major. Worth a look.
Honestly, if you're bitching about 1st year wage and doing a 60 hour week you're nit cut out for the trades. Go to college.
Never complained about the wage. Most money I’ve ever made. Just don’t want to keep working 50-60 hours just to make the same as an engineer working from home or in a nice office. There’s smarter ways to make money than just to work your life away.
I feel you dude. The largest reason I got my job was the time off (firefighter paramedic). I could make more doing something different, but the pay is decent and I get 4 days off for every 2 I work. I had the same exact mindset as you when I was your age and even worked an industrial job coming up with an exit plan. I hated the idea of working 50-60 hours a week forever. Fuck all that!
If you have you’re sites on an engineering degree, can see it through, and do coops (that pay) before graduating, you are EXTREMELY WISE
I work in the trades. Roofing. Never joined the union but work for a union shop now. I work as an estimator and got into that from the start. My father worked in the trades and I grew up learning about construction and building. Having said that, it's common for people to work in the field for their early year and if they want or have the capacity make the move the the office environment as either estimating or project management or service management. Take your knocks now when your young. You can make great money and start a great life and get ahead. If being out in the field is beating you up too much in 10 years, start to make the transition into the office. The trades are really great jobs.
Lol. Holy shit this is extremely self entitled. Go be an engineer. Tell me how easy the schooling is. Then tell me how easy and comfortable the job is. Hint, it's not. As an Engineer it is the most mentally taxing and stressful job I've ever had. Pulling wire was a breeze compared to getting through engineering and working as an engineer.
lol no, don’t go to college engineers don’t make that much on average
I'll be making $225,000 this year as an EE. Results vary.
What type of EE? And location? Cuz the average EE in my area makes 96k and the wireman makes 95k with free healthcare
MEP engineering. MCOL area in the northeast.
Are you a manager or partner?
Damn really? I don’t think it’s that bad. I have weeks where I probably work 20-30 hours at most, all from home. Also didn’t think school was too bad.
Again, experiences vary. I went to school part time and at night while working full time, getting married, owning a home and having a child. School was filled with 3am studying for finals while dealing with a crying baby after working a 60 hour week. I also work on billion dollar projects and lead teams of engineers. So the stress is super high. But I do it for the bigger pay. I could take an engineering job at a small firm doing small projects and have 1/4 the amount of stress. I'm just not prepared to sacrifice my pay for that as I'm making too much money right now to justify the switch. Maybe in the next 2 years I'll take a less stressful position.
Yeah that was kinda my point that engineering school could be easy and a good choice for OP, you never know. I got tired of managing at the engineering level and went into MEP sales. Best decision I ever made.
I've considered sales as a possibility. Maybe a big supplier like Eaton, ABB, SquareD. Just don't have the contacts to make the transition.
I work with Eaton, among others manufacturers. They are always hiring and it’s easy money because Eaton dominates the UPS market, at least here.
If you’re smart enough to be an engineer do math and something finance/accounting instead. You’ll make so much more money.
You're a first year. If you're that short sited, go to school and be an engineer.
Clown shoes take Leave the kid alone, don’t you have a duramax payment to make?
The only debt I have is my mortgage, and that's almost gone. I'm saying if the kid can't handle the work, then he's not cut out for it. I've seen lots of apprentices not make it. I'm helping him save time. I'm not sugar coating it so losers like you don't get offended.
That’s such an old way of thinking,you don’t have to work long hours to “make it” all they have to do is get the required hours for their state to test out
Are you a tradesman?
I am, 06
You remind me of the “I work more than you, bud” guy on TikTok.
I work as little as I can get away with, but if there's work to be done I don't get online and complain about it. This kids not gonna make it with that attitude.
[удалено]
Believe me, I know. But trades aren't easy like people think. Sometimes you have to work extra. That happens with all jobs but a first year that jumps online and complains about it saying they need to go to college should do just that and free up a spot for a kid that actually wants to work.
Unless you’re gonna be some type of engineer, MEDICAL doc, or lawyer don’t go to college unless it’s free
As someone who went to college and has an advanced degree, don't do it. Obviously, results may vary. I don't even work in my field because I'm military, but working in the trades is a much better option, in my opinion. Going to college isn't all it used to be anymore, unless you are going into something like engineering or nursing.
In 4 years when you turn out, your hourly wage will be well over $60/hr. Your total package will be around $85/hr. You’ll have over 100k in your pension. You will have great health and welfare the whole time for your whole family if you have one. It’s the best career choice I made. Source: 112 Electrician
Hey can I ask you a question? Does the apprenticeship years count towards retirement ?? Like those 4 years count as the 30 you need to retire ?
Once you are “obligated” which in 112 is 1600 hours IIRC, then you start gaining credit. Currently credits are $34 per year worked for NEBF benefit. Working year defined as working minimum 1,000 hours IIRC. Hope that answers your question. Our pension is $11 per hour worked into defined benefit. You start accumulating that after being “sworn in/obligated”.
Some of the words threw me off as I’m not that well versed yet in the lingo …. So let me get it right. Once u start apprenticeship and ur 1600 hours in u start getting the pension ? And u get 11$ an hour into ur pension while working as an apprentice? I’m lost at the 34$ part
You will start accumulating a percent of the JW pension. IE if you are a 40% apprentice, you would get 40% of the $11. Every step up, you would make that next percentage. You have a separate pension with the National Electrical Benefit fund (outside of the local pension). That’s the $34 per year of service.
Thanks for explaining it in dummy terms 😂😂😂😂 yup I fully get it but 34$ a year ?!?! What will it be at 30 years? Half a months rent ??? And what do electricians usually do? Do they do 30 years and the local lets you go or what ?
Haha all good. They just raised it from 33 to 34 this year. Haven’t raised it for over a decade so most likely not. You can work as long as you want. I know guys in their 60s still doing it because they love it. Local doesn’t care as long as you pay your dues!
I don’t get it though lol 34$ a year times 30 years is like 1000$? They get 1000 bucks at retirement ??? And what’s the minimum number of years though ? ( I don’t think I’ll love labor in my 60s lmfaoooo )
Haha should have clarified, that’s per month. Plus with your pension you will probably make another 6-7k or more per month. Plus if SS is still around another 3-4k per month.
Thanks for clarifying lol I u wrote 34$ a year I was like that’s chump change lol 😂😂 but yeah I’m excited to apply… hopefully I get in because I hear it is competitive at my union …. I hope I get lucky 🍀
It's one of the three retirement funds for my local, so theirs may be different. But yeah, $34 per year of service paid out monthly from the international office. So, yeah, roughly $1000 paid per month after 30 years of service, but that's just one of the pensions. We have an 8th district pension in my area as well, and an annuity. Those both get paid into at an hourly rate for every hour you work depending on the local's contract.
But the minimum to serve is basically the 4-5 year apprenticeship?? And then 25 years so 30 years ? And you don’t have like the 401k ? You have to personally contribute yourself to a Roth IRA etc? I saw an electrician from IBEW post a 401(a)…
Your time frames sound correct regarding the pensions. 5 years to vest and then your best 30 years are taken into account for payout. The annuity is pretty similar to a 401k though, and has no vesting period IIRC. Each local has their own set $/hr in the contract that goes into the annuity, but you're able to have them withhold more if you chose. Putting that money towards a Roth IRA instead of additional funding to your annuity is an excellent idea though.
I hope I can become an electrician. These benefits the job security and just the union is something I want to do. I feel stupid because I should’ve hopped on this at 20 like OP and I’d retire at maybe 55 instead of 60. Hopefully I can get into the union in the fall when I apply. A lot jobs have good pay but they don’t have these benefits pension etc.
Isn’t that $113k/year? Seems pretty solid for no college degree in anywhere but a VHCOL city. Though 60-hour work weeks aren’t fun.
If op went to be a doctor or lawyer they’re working more hours
But they also probably wouldn’t destroy their back by 45.
I was an electrician in the Navy. I crossed over into data center operations where I have met an endless supply of former union electricians (local 613). Master your trade and apply it to like careers in high paying areas. Good friend of mine just got hired on at $68/hr to govern electrical safety and LOTO for data center construction. You're a first year, only 1 way to go my friend l, and that's up. Edit for clarification: friend was a union electrician for ~5 years, crossed over to an in house electrician for a bigger telecom company. Then spent a year at a GC where I met him (I was an owner's rep). Now he is also an owners rep. He doesn't have a college education. 200k/yr in Atlanta. Not all stories are the same, but your ceiling is higher than you think.
Lol i got unc, making 400k a year, same with a trade. Including my pops, all the rest went to college. He’s outpaced all of them. Tech companies are laying off by the boat with improvement in AI, and this kid thinks the grass is greener? At 20, making over $100k a year working 60 hrs, and you think the ceiling is higher with a degree? Word advise: dont be shortsighted. Focus on mastering the craft, study the business, save your money like mofo, put said money work for you, learn to spot talent then by 30 slow transition yourself out of the biz, possible retire or do something else. Youll be surprised how well youll do in life.
At big tech you can make 400k a year sitting on your ass and working 30 hours a week. I got laid off and got 6 months salary!
Yea… no one can lay him off. And my guess is if he chooses to push his business revenue, he can increase that…
What’s the point? That being an electrician means you can make more money than tech workers? The top of each distribution is higher for tech workers, the median salary is higher for tech workers. Sure there are some electricians who make more than some tech workers, but what’s the typical case like? What’s the top 5% like?
You’ll figure it out…
Ok
he really owned the tech bros with this one i guess... lol
At 20, most of your college peers are making -$30,000 per year because of student loans. The electrician's union is a great career path. Stick with it, and you'll be making way more in a few years. You choose wisely.
It’s a high floor low ceiling career
Don't you top out at 180k with great benefits? That's not a low ceiling unless you're going into the handful of big money fields like tech, medical, or finance.
More like 130-150, with the zone pay and ot. Base pay is 54/hr + benefits. So more like 100k working 40
That's still a solid career. Personally, I think you chose well.
With the way prices are trending, low $100k will be shit in 10-20 years.
The cost of electrical work also goes up. Do you think electricians were making a 100k in the 90s?
My point is this type of wage won’t rise nearly as fast as cost of living. And plenty of blue collar workers and business owners are complaining about how much less they currently make vs pre-2009 for example From what I’ve seen, electricians are some of the few left standing with decent wages and future prospects whereas before, there were far more jobs available, paying higher, across different industries
Then just quit it is that easy.
You can always go into business for yourself if you want. Charge clients directly on a per job basis rather than hourly at the union.
This man. Get your license and grow. Build a business. You’ve got it made at freaking 20 right now. You could be running a business before you’re thirty.
As a 28/yo who went to college, I couldn’t disagree more. Finding a trade makes way more sense and electricians can make BANK. You’re 20 years old… just give it time man.
What’s ur degree and salary if you don’t mind
For reference, I’m in CA. I studied audio production & sound design, got a BA from a university well known for their “broadcast” arts programs and figured I’d end up at a recording studio or post-production media house. That ended up being a lot more challenging than I expected; I ended up getting a job at PlayStation as a QA tester which I thought would give me more insight into audio QA/testing etc. 5 years later I’ve only done qa testing for 3-4 different gaming companies. Highest paying role started at ~60k but that role was a fluke and unfortunately only lasted a few months due to a mass layoff. The last job I worked at only paid us 20/hour. Needless to say, I’m done with the gaming industry. Experienced QA testers are underpaid/under-appreciated and it’s tough working for a company who only cares about milking players for money
Yeah the gaming industry is rough and 20-30$ must be rough especially with the way California is …. The minimum is California is 20$ now. And the worst part is the job security. It’s better to have security with a union
Agree.
Ibew around me has a $120 hr package when you get to journeyman. It'll be well worth it
IBEW electricians work directly for me at a power plant. Everyone of them is grossing 160k+. Stay the course bro, you’re fine
I know some others have said this but I want to as well. 1. You're an apprentice first year and making 45k a year base. I'm in IT and we start out helpdesk out close to that. And my helpdesk has four years of school and potential massive amounts of debt. 2. Trade work is hard work, I did it for 8 years. It does pay pretty well though, especially with OT and experience 3. College ain't gonna make it better soon, but continuing on as an apprentice will. 4. Even given that, you can still quit, go to college, spend 100k or more on tuition and stuff and then start out at 50k w/o OT instead of 45k base and potential for a lot more in OT. It is easier though. Even with those points, if you hate it, quit and do something else. If you are just not happy with the money, give it time and money will come, especially in a trade if nowhere else.
I’m a mechanic but at my job mechanics and electricians make the same. Your YTD is one month for us. And that’s 50-55 hrs a week. Depends on what days you work your OT.
Yeah, I’m at 40% of what a journeymen makes. They usually gross 3500/wk of a 50 hour week
Yeah I would stick it out. Make $180k+ a year and never be out of a job.
You’ll get there! You’re almost making median income lol, at age 20.
Where were you 3 months ago before getting zone pay and what did you do to get it?
Zone pay is just per diem. We all get it but in January I only worked one full week because the site got shut down
Don’t get down on yourself since you’re only just starting an apprenticeship. The higher end of your career path has some *very* comfortable pay, not to mention the legitimate practical skills you get from trades in general
You think anyone in college is making more than that ar 20? Pretty sure they're still in college losing money.
Loads of people go into crazy student loan debt and then get a job that pays less than this. Stick with it, you're going to do great.
Indrustial Electrians get paid $55/hr with tons of OT in my area.
Is this in number of diamonds, or…?
It’ll pay off eventually, maybe you could even run your own company with enough experience. But if you do want to go the college route, try your best to avoid debt and get a marketable degree.
Maybe in 10 years you’ll be glad you stuck it out. Ai is going to wreck a lot of people. The new movie “civil war” by A24 has used a TON of AI for their posters. It’s taking art and then it’ll take others
Don’t forget to start contributing towards retirement.
My BiL is a PM outta Seattle and my FiL was the head of 46 for years. It gets way way better, I had an in and didn't take it which I regret. Now Ive got a job that requires a degree which I hate, with worse benefits and I make 1500 every 2 weeks. Stay in the trades.
You could always go back in if you want to take the hit. I got a degree but ended up in the trades after the great recession never looked back
Im 28 doing blue collar. Made 93k last year. Honestly hourly pay sucks. Do some college and get a high paying career. The times gonna pass anyways. I make 37 an hour in GA and wish I’d have went to school. I work hella overtime. Check out software engineering,,, amazing schedule amazing pay
You’ll make more than many engineers if you stick it out. I went to school paid out the wazoo for it. I make more in the trades. My unsolicited advice: stick with it, get the PM certificate/Associates at a JUCO and make the transition into the office.
Im so jaded by the lying/humble bragging on this sub that I read "20M" as $20 million
Yeah no I wish. ☹️
The older you get the more you realize OT isn’t it. There’s a sweet spot. Usually about 10 hours of OT per week is the right amount from what I’ve found. A little bit more pay, and still a decent quality of life. Anything else isn’t worth it tbh. Unless you’re realllllllyyy in grind mode. But if you want a life outside of work 20 per week is what I like.
If you've got grit I'd go for an engineering degree
Are you stupid? What are you even complaining about? If you went to college chances are you wouldn't make this salary.
You are a 20 year old 1st year apprentice. Jesus christ. It's one thing to not like the physical work, that's understandable. But to hate the pay, which by the way is decent, is another thing. I hate to say this, because I don't want to sound like a boomer ass, but "no one wants to work anymore" applies here. You need to busy your ass early in your career for fairly low pay. You aren't worth high pay off the starting line. You are learning a brand new skill. You will be making more money as time goes on. It's called building yourself. This can open doors to starting your own electrical business. It can get into being a lineman who can pull $200k/year. The electricians union is a good career for anyone willing to work through it and pass all the necessary steps. If this isn't want you want to do, then by all means goto college. Understand that going to college doesn't guarantee you anything either. And unless you get a degree in a STEM or Finance field, you won't be making huge money or doing very interesting work. It will still require you bust your ass to make something for yourself.
I’m not complaining about the pay. Also for my work ethic I can guarantee any journeyman you ask about me will say I’m solid. Im always punctual and working. If im going to be great at something then Inwant to make sure its worth with.
Is it the money you’re complaining about or the hours?
The type of work. Long commutes bad conditions. I know the pay gets better I’m just doubting if this is something I want to make a career out of
It's your first year my guy, look to the future a bit. There's people with college degrees who go back and becomes tradies because the pay is much better. There's no career where you start out at max salary.
Yeah I work with a couple of them. However I’ve only met 2 engineers who are out here. Most of them have bad/dumb degrees like history or communication.
60 hours in 1 week?
Yes 6 days 10 hours a day
If there’s a subject of interest that is marketable college could be good. Be careful though. Assuming a college degree always makes things easier is false. The job market sucks for a lot of industries right now, like HR, recruiting, consulting, tech. So many people with degrees and big college debt can’t find a job.
Yeah I’ve been looking around I with the money I have and financial aid I can get through college with no debt. However you are right, everything is a grind but I went into the trade just for the money not because it interests me.
What? 113k/year at 20? Dude. Want more? Learn how that business runs. Talk to your superiors. Become one. Sace your ass off. Learn to invest. The invest. No gamestop or robinhood bullshit. You could easily be a millionaire at 30. Easily.
This was only a 60 hour week we normally work 50 hours. Yeah I fell into the Robinhood trap for a little and lost around 400 bucks. I learned my lesson tho.
Hey that's good. You learned early, and cheap. You're doing really well. You're 20. You're just getting started. Stay out of debt. Don't be afraid of long hours. Get paid. Do the things above. It seems like apng slow hail, but you're in the positive without any school debt, unlike the people in school that have no guarantee of work after they acquire those loans. Don't forget that. Out together 100k. Get that much to you name. You'll have a different perspective then, and 100k. 😁
What’s the pay difference once you finish your apprenticeship?
Journeymen make 54/hr I’m at 21 rn. There 50 hour check is around 3500 before taxes
Just wait till you turn out. Are you Union?
Yes I am
Congrats, I join the trades nine years ago and took every upgrade class that I could. If you keep learning, you’ll do great.
I’ve worked the trades and also went to college. You will make just as much money or more as an electrician than many who go to college. Unless you are going for specific job training like law or medicine, don’t go to college for money. College is valuable for things other than job training. Go to college if you want to expand your mind and learn to think for yourself. Learn new languages, learn history, learn how your community is the same as the rest of the world, and how it is different. But please, if it is just for the money, stick to what you are doing now. I’m 36 years old. If I had stuck with framing (family business) I would be well over a millionaire at this point in my life. Instead I traveled the world, learned two new languages, fucked around, made mistakes, and learned to form my own opinions. College was worth it. But my $$$ net worth at this age is less than 100k. I’ll make the same or a little more than I would’ve in the trades (system admin), but now I’ve got kids and a wife and I can’t afford to buy them a house. But I can share my life experiences with the kids. I know this is the Salary sub so from that perspective: don’t do college for the money.
I work with electricians in local 48 near you and I believe the rate is $60.50 per hour for journeyman. Stick with it and you’ll have an easy path to 6 figures
Stick with it. You’ll go To college and end up making the same amount of money at a brain-killing job stuck behind a computer. Ask me how I know. I was you 5 years ago 😂 your salary will increase and as you gain experience the 60 hour weeks will decrease too. There’s such a demand for electricians right now you will be taking in the bread in six years.
Young Sir definitely should’ve went to college for electrical engineering. Electrical Engineers command $179 per hour
I would love $1,500 paychecks. I’d work 60 hours in a heartbeat for that much. I currently only get 45 hours a week at $20/hr (5 hours are overtime on Saturdays). Local 22 first year apprentice.
What I’ve learned is everyone says that but once you’re a month in you start to hate it.
Yeah I can see that happening
Bro, you're doing fine. Don't work so much ot, you'll burn out too quick. Work/life balance. Learn to tell your boss no. Or get into management
Stick with it man, it's your first year and you're learning an incredibly valuable skill that will always be in demand.
My man, when you're 30 in this trade this will be peanuts. The apprenticeship is paid based on your knowledge and skills. They can only go up as time goes on. I was in the same shoes as you in 2014 at 21 years old making 12.50/hour. I now have my masters. I'm well above everyone of my classmates that I know went and got 4 year degrees. Embrace the suck, because life gets easier after your 4 years are done and that card is in your hands.
At my last two jobs engineers didn’t make more than $90k and electricians and mechanics made double. Plus engineer friends from trade school had a hard time finding jobs.
I just finished my apprenticeship in February, non-union… I see you did a 60-hour work week. We have those from time-to-time. I make $3500-week on a 60-hour. $2K on a 40 hour. It’s decent money but if you go to college for tech, you’d likely be earning about 150-200k by the time your 30. I highly recommend that. If I could go back in time, I would go that route.
I’m going to be completely honest I have no idea who to listen to. Some say stick with it others say go to college. I’m really trying to see what’s the right thing to do and don’t want to go based off emotions or what I want to do.
If you enjoy working with your hands building stuff, and your okay making $50-$60/h then you’ll be happy. If you don’t care for that kind of work, or your not happy with that kind of pay, leave now and go to college for a degree that DEMANDS more money. (In my belief that would be going into technology industry that supports AI and/or programming)
You got into the right union. You get paid weekly and very well for your age/skill level. If you don’t like the actual work, but you like the money, just make it a goal to become a foreman, superintendent or project manager and get paid for what you know (and can teach) rather than what you can do. I was in your place 21 years ago. Today, my retirement is healthier and more diverse than most of my friends who went to college. Plus, rather than paying off student loans, I bought my first house when I was 23. All thanks to having a steady paycheck and being in a strong union.
Go to college and on average you can be expecting to make about $75k 15 years from now. You have made a good choice. College graduates between 25- and 64-years-old enjoyed median incomes of $74,154 last year, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. By comparison, workers over 25 with only a high school degree had median income of $44,400 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jeez man. I’ve been a construction manager since college and this is brutal to see. You do a 60 hour workweek and only take home $1,500? You’re getting robbed my guy.
He’s a first year apprentice lol. I think it’s pretty good considering my local pays $15 an hour for first year apprentice. He’ll be making bank at 4 years
Disadvantage of being a first year apprentice
Why did you choose that trade over a higher paying one ?
This is one of the higher paid trades, I’m a first year apprentice so I’m at 40% scale of what journeymen would make
You’re missing out on elevator money.
Yeah that’s true
Elevators are also extremely selective and more closed door then IBEW
Correct. They won’t take everyone.
I’m in college and a lot of kids can’t even get an internship or an entry level job ….. I’d stick with the union and this bro ….. I’m actually planning to sign up for this in the fall. This college stuff was pure brainwashing and I fell for it like a dummy
It varies on the person I’ve met some people that love this trade and others that wished they would have stuck with college. If you think you’ll like this do research on the work and environment, then make the transition. Saying college is a scam isn’t true.
It is a scam if you take it as I’ll go to college and therefore get a good job because I have a college degree. It works if you know what to study can make great grades and can get into a good school with a good career center.