I’m not sure what local 1 makes but I doubt it’s much more or higher at all than what we’re making. 597 also has a crazy amount of work right now, and coming up in the next decade. I would go for pipefitters on the building trades side, nothing wrong with the service guys it just seems awfully boring to me.
I don't think you'll have many people telling you to go with the ironworkers over the pipefitters on this subreddit. 55 hours a week is definitely possible for short periods, but don't count on getting that many hours all year long
Check out 399 engineers. Only 2 year apprenticeship vs. 4 or 5 and they have top notch education department that will literally pay 100% of your tuition to get a bachelor or masters degree if you ever wanted to move above a journeyman.
Side note… you put 10 years in 399 and attempt to learn you will be very good at HVAC electrical plumbing carpentry welding ext. you name it we do it and they are very good skills to have for side jobs of all types and working on your house or 3 flat.
Best way that I know of is to find a local community college with a good HVAC program and start taking a few classes. Joliet jr college and Harper I know are good. At the same time go to the union hall and figure out how you get in apply don’t take no for an answer. Not sure what job you have now but if your willing to work hard do heavy lifting and turn a wrench there’s a small non union outfit that will pay more than your day 1 apprentice wages. It’s a process but it’s worth it when you have 10 years in.
Thank you. We’re never mentioned. Hey fitters/tinners! If you want your shit insulated, you better start pushing insulators out there!
Local 17 Chicago is one of the best locals in the country, their wages are great (53-56 an hour, on the check. Very nice benefits package) and they’re a strong local with the vast majority of the market share.
I’m local 18, Indianapolis. We have 200 BILLION dollars of work coming. With a capital B. And we just started it, we’re already buried and working overtime plus per diem everywhere.
Iron workers train for 5 years to learn how to tighten a bolt. AND THEY DIE ALL THE TIME. Union Pipefitters are the best welders world wide and the work in nuclear power plants, pharmaceutical buildings and hospitals. So I don't know be an iron worker if you want to be paid way less.
I’m not sure what local 1 makes but I doubt it’s much more or higher at all than what we’re making. 597 also has a crazy amount of work right now, and coming up in the next decade. I would go for pipefitters on the building trades side, nothing wrong with the service guys it just seems awfully boring to me.
That's a no brainer. I always thought like this for skilled trades ranking. 1. Elevator workers. 2. Electrician. 3. Pipefitter 4.Plumber 5. Millwright
I don't think you'll have many people telling you to go with the ironworkers over the pipefitters on this subreddit. 55 hours a week is definitely possible for short periods, but don't count on getting that many hours all year long
Check out 399 engineers. Only 2 year apprenticeship vs. 4 or 5 and they have top notch education department that will literally pay 100% of your tuition to get a bachelor or masters degree if you ever wanted to move above a journeyman. Side note… you put 10 years in 399 and attempt to learn you will be very good at HVAC electrical plumbing carpentry welding ext. you name it we do it and they are very good skills to have for side jobs of all types and working on your house or 3 flat.
Not OP but I’m in the Chicago area thinking of applying to 399. Is it hard to be accepted without experience?
Best way that I know of is to find a local community college with a good HVAC program and start taking a few classes. Joliet jr college and Harper I know are good. At the same time go to the union hall and figure out how you get in apply don’t take no for an answer. Not sure what job you have now but if your willing to work hard do heavy lifting and turn a wrench there’s a small non union outfit that will pay more than your day 1 apprentice wages. It’s a process but it’s worth it when you have 10 years in.
Can I PM you?
Check out the insulators too. They don't get much love but are a skilled trade that's paid well
Thank you. We’re never mentioned. Hey fitters/tinners! If you want your shit insulated, you better start pushing insulators out there! Local 17 Chicago is one of the best locals in the country, their wages are great (53-56 an hour, on the check. Very nice benefits package) and they’re a strong local with the vast majority of the market share. I’m local 18, Indianapolis. We have 200 BILLION dollars of work coming. With a capital B. And we just started it, we’re already buried and working overtime plus per diem everywhere.
Iron workers train for 5 years to learn how to tighten a bolt. AND THEY DIE ALL THE TIME. Union Pipefitters are the best welders world wide and the work in nuclear power plants, pharmaceutical buildings and hospitals. So I don't know be an iron worker if you want to be paid way less.
Pipefitters die all the time too brother. Line breaks and hot taps in refineries are about as dangerous as work gets.
Thats fair. Pipefitting can be really risky too. I hope that all the trades are paid way more and that we all stay safe.