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📹 How To Start In The Skilled Trades | Who Makes The Most Money| THE HANDYMAN |
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This is an exceptionally concise, accurate, and reality based analysis of the industry. It will help hundred of young people truly understand what they need to do to make a living in the construction trades. The funny thing … everything you stated is also valid in the lower to mid tier of the IT and IS industries. Thank you. I am going to make sure I send this to a few young men and women I know.
Plumbing saved my life . Have 3 kids and I am 27 years old. I’ve worked for warehouses, Restaurants, concrete, Tile and honestly plumbing was what did it for me . Been in the trade 10 months exactly bought my tools the first month I started it was tough it was hard it was nasty but now I work smarter I gained the trust of my journeymen and other techs and took something I liked and put it into my own craft it’s gotten to a point where we rough a house I’m doing my own thing and the journeyman is doing another you gain that confidence. Please choose a trade and I promise you your life will change forever not only in your financial status but your mental too . Love the website just subscribed!!
My outlet into the handyman field was when I started pushing a mower down the street when I was 16. Built it into a three fleet truck and trailer setup by the time I was in my 20s. That was my jumping off point with my clientele. As for the handyman aspect, I bought my first house when I was 24. For the past 7 years, I treated my house as the guinea pig. How do I fix this, how do I upgrade, etc. I was fortunate to have help from friends in the trades to guide me here or there. Within the last two years, I’ve gained the confidence to market myself to my clientele base that I offer handyman and trade repairs. I love it because I really invested about the last 15yrs into this type of work. My recommendation to anyone is patience and a willingness to learn, even if it takes years. All my knowledge was basically YouTube, books and trial and error. It’s been successful for me.
I’m 20 and got into plumbing because my father is in the trade. He’s licensed and has the experience which has served me really well for the past 5 months. I’m very much still new to the trade but it definitely feels like the best decision I could’ve made. I’d like to urge other young guys who’re unsure of what they want to do to try out the one of the big 3 (electrical, plumbing and hvac). Sure, you do a bunch of heavy lifting and of perusal at first but around the third month you’ll actually start grasping the basic concepts and it’s all uphill from there.
My church deacon hired me $4 an hr to help build cement forms and clean up after. I worked 16 hours a day every summer starting when I was 13. (I was 200 lbs and near 6ft tall.) I was a rich young man in 1983. Paid cash for a Yamaha 400 when I turned 14 and no longer had to walk to work or ride that evil school bus for an hour a day.
Exactly what happened with me, started making “rustic furniture” in my garage and selling it on Facebook marketplace. Then a year later went to trade school for 2 years majoring residential remodeling and learning basically how to build a house from the ground up. Talked through my family and found someone who was in construction and now I work for him. Started doing small shit and now doing more and more. Never the same stuff and I love it. Side jobs are also important to talk about. Also a article on taxes would be helpful and I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts.
My dad was a plumber in Laguna Beach, California for 36 years. Everyday I ask myself why I did not follow in his footsteps. All that money and time wasted on college, stockbroker licenses, etc. He died in 2002 and the majority of the people who attended the funeral church service were his customers. I used to work with him in the 70’s, 80’s. and 90’s. And all of those kids who gave me a hard time in middle school saying things like “your dad just sticks his hand in toilets all day long”, and other nasty things. I never saw him do that. Really wonder where those people are now at age 55. Please do not put down this career. You will make a lot of money.
I’m a Low Voltage Tech apprentice. Started at age 51, and i LOVE IT. About 8 months into it atm. I’m a high school grad, with an Associate’s in Network Admin. Problem is i have a very old drug felony, (age 21) and can’t find work in that field. Had a lot of other jobs, including the military. Currently making 25 an hour, and will top out at about 85k per year as a journeyman. Talk about being a late bloomer 😂
Im a framer and i would say its a great trade to start out in and potentially branch out later. With framing you gain alot of basic knowledge that would help you in basically any other trade, especially ones who come directly after framing (hvac, plumbing, electric) and even gain a little knowledge into those trades. And if you want to do remodels, framing is also a great place to start. But you definitely dont want to be framing your whole life, not enough money for too much work
I am an electrician from Ghana 🇬🇭 West Africa. So I went through apprenticeship training for 5 years without pay but something small to support me in feeding whiles at the job. I graduated in 2010, worked for few private companies that doesn’t pay you for your worth but I did it all for the experience. Now I have my own small electrical company, have 3 apprentices that I take good care of, and though from a 3rd world country I make some good money. I’ve never regretted going on the path of artisan.
Started in construction at $12/h out of highschool. Spent some time finishing, siding, framing. Eventually committed to framing custom homes, now im 24, self employed and picking up 40k-60k contracts. Other trades make better money, but being able to build my own house start to finish will pay off in the long term.
I’m 25 now but ive been working in metal work since I was 16 to get out of being homeless. Started pushing Brooms, then moved to lay out. Uncertified repair welding for the shop, then eventually on customer jobs. I’ve bounced from shop job to shop job since. I’m going to welding school now for my certifications because my family needs more money with our new baby boy. I think it’s dedication. Do something you love. Welding does that for me.
I’ve been a floor installer for 11 years. I’m 28 now. I made the mistake of working in a family business I can’t get out of now. Word of advice, if you’re thinking about working in a small-mid size family biz GIVE YOURSELF A TIMELINE, make it clear to the family what your goals and intentions are. I make decent money but for my experience and work ethic I should be making double my monthly income easily. Love for family outweighs money.
My kid hated school, so he joined the Navy when he graduated. Four years working in an office for the Navy taught him he didn’t want an office job. After he got out, he spent a year working for UPS. Uncle Sam sent him to a 10 month trade school for HVAC. Got a job right away doing industrial refrigeration at $25, with lots of overtime and occasional prevailing wage jobs. He’s 25, has no debt and a good pile of cash in the bank. He knows where he’s going now, and he didn’t have to mortgage his future to find out.
This is a great article for anyone considering trades as their Career. Great advice and appreciate you sharing your experience. I think you hit the “Nail-on-the-head” with your comment on value. In my opinion, the best thing you can do to start, is to show your value. Be respectful, be punctual, show interest, try hard, make your mentor/supervisor/boss’ job easier with your help. They will value that, and typically honour it by sharing their knowledge. Once you gain enough knowledge and experience to be certified and provide value to customers without your mentor/supervisor/boss’ support you are in your career. You can continue to learn and improve skills to stay competitive, desired and fulfilled.
I got my first job as an electricians helper calling every company in the area and badgering them till I got a job. Bought a bunch of tools(not all ones I needed lol) and got my first job cause someone took a chance on me. No experience but I worked hard and did what I was told. Got called “shithead” for the first few months but the guy quit after I started responding “what do you need fatass?” Gotta have thick skin in the trades
I joined a pipefitter union apprenticeship after I graduated welding school. By my second year I started welding. The rest is history. 55 bucks an hr and 20-30 hours of overtime a week if want it. Not everyone’s path but I enjoy it. Can be stressful at times needing to make xray welds in hard to get places. Benefits are: 3 pensions, 401k, vacation and holiday pay, great medical and dental. Best part is you don’t need to know anything to start.
Doing a career change at 28, im going into a pre employment electrician course, its around 5k for 12 weeks and will get me a job either starting out as an apprentice but still might have to push a broom for a year. Totally worth it for me considering here in alberta journeyman electricians can make 110k a year working in industrial up in northern alberta
I’m a semi-retired Computer Software Engineer approaching 77 years old. I still work part time as a cashier for a fast food restaurant and actually like my job but there is never enough money to pay for everything. So I’ve been learning how to do everything within reason for myself. Youtube is a big help for sure and I save tons of money by doing it myself where possible. Right now I’m rebuilding a 40×10 foot redwood deck. I knew I needed some help (two heads are better than one) and hired a handyman. We just got started today and the project is going well. Had I known what I do now I might very well have gone into one of the trades. I definitely do think very highly of those who chose that path and wish all you young guys and gals the very best.
I’m almost a year into my electrical apprenticeship and I’ve been slowly buying all the tools. My boss said don’t worry about it other than the basics, but now I have pretty much everything that I need to rough a whole house on my own and when the time comes, he can count on me to get something taken care of my own. And most importantly I can do side jobs no problem.
I started as a groundskeeper at an apartment complex making $10/hour. Worked my way up to an HVAC tech within 2 years making $17/hour. Got my skill set to where I wanted it and then applied for an HVAC service tech position at a local company. Been with them 3 years making $32/hour. Soon, I’m going commercial making $50/hour or go out on my own. I can fix anything in a house. Water heaters, appliances, you name it. Apartment training is a highly underrated means of getting into the trade.
Started as a plumber apprentice in 93. Have a master license in Texas and Oklahoma. Made good money. Started over as an inspector, worked up from there and now making good income as a senior building inspector. Not as much as when i was self employed as a plumber, but when you factor in my health, dental, vision, and retirement its very close. My son makes 6 figures as a roofing superintendent. Never roofed in his life. Friend from church making 6 figures as superintendent for production home builder. Had no experience when he started.
I’m a painting contractor in a state with few foreign born workers. Most of my work is in vacation homes near a ski resort. I’ll pay an 18 year old with no experience $15/hour. I give him (or her) a list of hand tools he is expected to have within 4 weeks. When he has those tools I give an instant $1.00 raise. If he doesn’t have them on Monday of his 5th week he’s fired. From there the pay only goes up. My two top workers earn $35/hour. I charge more than my competition because I can complete more demanding jobs and I pay more because I want quality workers.
Great article brotha, local 1 carpenter 10 year journeyman here trying to make the jump to residential self employed. You gave great advice. never turn down an opportunity, don’t think of it as sweeping/loading while your there soak up all you can and alway ask what’s next. One thing everyone can control is effort and focus. Phones don’t go in tool belts kids
I started out as a commercial electricians helper right after High School with my pops telling myself I was going to take a year off of school and then go back to pursue computer engineering….15 years later I am a Licensed electrician, a Sr Industrial Electrician for the Government, and I just started my small electrical company. Needless to say, I am happy as hell I didnt go back to college…
Right now is the BEST time to get into a skilled trade. I would advise electrical, hvac, or plumbing. I started with zero experience in HVAC 8.5 years ago. I went from $12 an hour to $21 per hour in 3 years, and then opened my own business. I did that for 4 years and sold my company to a local competitor, moved out of state, and am now changing careers again. A career in HVAC has boosted my life into bigger and better things that I never thought possible. I’m a 10th grade drop out, did some time in the military and sales, and now I’m 35 years old and moving on with plans for early retirement. If you are reading this and under the age of 25, please do yourself a favor and go into the trades for the next 5-10 years!
Drywall is so much fun…especially when your building is 11 stories high and the crane can only reach the 7th floor. Humping up 4 floors of wallboard, one sheet at a time up the fire stairwell will make you think twice. Especially when the electricians are perusal and wondering who you pissed off in a former life. LOL
I work as a diesel field engineer . Basically a glorified heavy equipment /heavy duty diesel mechanic . I made 230k last year working in the refineries fixing my companies pumps and trucks . During turn around we make 95 an hour and 12 hours minimum. I do work a lot of overtime and weekends but I’m only 24 and single . Only went to trade school for 11 months .
I’ve always told my kids find a career you enjoy and take pride in doing..Sure making a living is important but money doesn’t make you happy..Ive worked for the very wealthy, none had love as a family, too busy worrying how to make more money..My boss told me he doesn’t have kids, he has employees..how sad..
These are very valuable info for anybody who wants to get rich. Unfortunately, most people who will watch this article will not really be able to apply the knowledge embedded in it. We may not want to admit, but as Warren Buffett once said, investing is like any other profession– it requires a certain level of expertise. No surprise that some people are losing a lot of money in the bear market, while others are making hundreds of thousands in profit. I just don’t know how they do it. I’ve got $150k set aside to put in the market.
I’m an old guy. Done many things. Have a 4 year academic degree but never reached where I wanted in life. At 39 years old, I’m starting the millwright and machinist foundation program (6 month program). I’m nervous but I am really excited to start something new. I’m not sure it’s all young people that can start a trade. It’s never too late to learn.
My advice to the younger guys (and gals) figure out real quick if you like working inside all day. That is essentially an office setting or lab work. If you enjoy working with your hands, solving puzzles and are good at handling changing plans, give the trades a try. As a father of two, I am suggesting that my kids learn at least one trade and at the very least take some business classes at a JC at a minimum. I have a four year degree, which I use only because it helps me on the financial side of the business. I was lucky growing up that my Dad had some knowledge of construction and taught me some of the basics. I did odd jobs in college and through many twists in my career path, ended up doing commercial work and then ended up as the Plant Ops Manager if senior living community. 5 years ago I went out went own… no real documented work experience according to the state (maintenance doesn’t count in the Golden State). I wouldn’t recommend anyone do what I did on purpose, but I would recommend that if you have a proficiency at building or fixing things, look at the trades. Oh, but you can’t be afraid to get dirty, sweaty, and bloody. Great article and topic as always.
Journeymen Electrician here. I’m one of those 9% that didn’t finish high school. The strategy mentioned, I found a job that had multiple trades and I got in as a laborer. I didn’t know what I wanted to do yet. I was 18. I looked closely at the trades around me, and as I made a name for myself there, I got the opportunity to become an apprentice electrician. Ive been doing electrical now since 2009 and I obtained my Journeymen ticket in 2014 with a 98% average in my class. You MUST put in the work and you MUST have a good attitude. You can achieve your goals with not the best education. (I was young and dumb) BUT I learned eventually 😉
Started as a painter. I do a little of everything now. I became a master painter before I branched off to other things. I think it’s handy to have the skills because it’s the last thing people see. So if you have to tear into a wall to fix some electrical or some plumbing, it’s really nice to be able to leave it looking like you Weren’t even there… There’s my two cents
I am 24, have been in the HVAC industry for 5 years. All around, commercial always pays better than residential. If you have no certificates, and no experience, then you need to be willing to show that you will be willing to work your ass off. Show that you deserve the position more than the guy in line behind you who did in fact go to trade school, or has 8 years experience. An awesome work ethic will go a long, long way.
Started construction in commercial low voltage/data at $18, (I was started at a higher rate as I had experience running wire with satellite installation). Hit some slowdowns in work and got wind that the cabinet guys were looking to hire some on site assemblers. It was piece rate, which I prefered over hourly (learned that with satellite). Averaged around $35/hr or so, eventually moved into doing cabinet installs, now averaging $50+/hr.
This is great for young people to know. I personally started as a janitor’s kid, and had no skills in construction. I went to trade school… first for auto body repair. Then I realized I needed more money than that trade pays. SKIP THAT. I went to trade school at 21 years old to be an electrician, and learned quickly that I knew nothing when I started working as an apprentice in a local union. But they worked with me and I eventually learned. Went to class one day a week. Still made multiple times the money as body repair. My 20th year in the trade I earned $270k doing service work at odd hours for a contractor. I enjoy the service aspect of the trade.
I’m glad my dad showed me what hard work is and the essential skills in life. I’ve hung and finished drywall, cut and laid tile, paint, EIFS/STUCCO, laying and tacking shingles on roofs, and some plumbing/electrical. We’re just a hard working middle class family 💪 I’ll be sure to pass these traits on down the line
Once had a woman say to me she thought my prices were too high and she was going to check my competition. I said,” Look lady, I’m a plumber. There is no competition”. Told another person please decide whether they wanted their plumbing more than their money, or their money more than their plumbing because there’s people in line behind them. Had another person call who said they had an easy job and it shouldn’t cost much. I said then you do it and hung up. These were some of the rude customers When you’re a plumber, more often it’s not how much do you charge, but how quick can you get here. It’s a profession like law or medicine. You can’t have civilization w/o a code of conduct, prevention and control of diseases, or potable water with sanitary waste disposal.
Started working for someone else. Slowly bought my own tools (power + hand tools). Spent a.lot of time after work perusal YouTube, IG, reading forums to keep learning new things I could try on the job while someone else paid me (even if I fucked up lol). Eventually started looking and getting my own jobs. Most important tho, showed up everyday and didn’t act like I knew everything. My advice would be no matter what you do, at least finish high school. it’s the easiest thing in the world to do and is like the bare minimum everyone should have. Honestly having business/financial skills + knowledge would be beneficial too. Especially if you want to keep progressing in your career or even if you want to be self-employed.
I’m 26 years old and I’ve been in the physical therapy field for the past 4 years. I decided I’ve had enough and applied at 6 different electrical companies, I got 4 call backs, 2 interviews and I landed my first job as an Electrician helper on track to my apprenticeship. I’m really looking forward to this new career!
Wish I had YouTube and you, in the 70″s to give me your insight, and education on the trades when I was a young man trying to get I to the Electricians Union…Ended landing an apprenticeship in the Carpenters Union, and had a great run as a Commercial Carpenter for 27 years!….Love perusal your website…keep them coming…
After working in an office for 10 years as a drafter, I needed a change and settled on HVAC. Got in to trade school half way through my first semester started as a install helper. Worked my way up to a service tech over the next year while finishing my AAS and made more money in the first year then I did as a designer after ten years of experience.
I’m proud to say I’ve done framing, roofing, painting, cabinets, concrete, and drywall. The most rewarding thing I’ve ever done was get into construction. Even when the money was low I was proud to do the work. I was thankful to have a good teacher and now I’m running my own thing. It’s something new every day. I see it in my head before I can put it on paper. I’ve branched out into all kinds of work and I can pay my bills. I just keep my head down most of the time and get to it.
Seems like some good information in this article and I appreciate it. I’ve been feeling more and more lately that a skilled trade is the direction I should go. I’m 25 and I’ve worked mostly in fast food jobs and I just yearn to find something I can become good at and work hard towards, and to have a future to show for it. Dying to move out on my own too.
I started as electrician helper in the construction trades at 19 Just retired . After 40 yrs on the job . Made my way from FL TO NYC . Got myself in local 3 . At 23 . Worked through all the booms & busts . Lots of OT . I have pension medical and a large 401 . We now all know that collage is clearly not for everyone ! . I made way more $ then all my collage friends and retired when I turned 60 . I’m not saying it was easy . But I loved it. 40 yrs flew by . So best of luck out there to all my trade brothers . Pick a trade you enjoy it . You can make as much as you want . If your a good journeyman mechanic. 🇺🇸
Got my first handyman experience as the broom boy/truck loader for a friend of a friend. Once I was confident to accept jobs on my own, quickly went from charging $20/hr to $50 over the course of 2 years of weekends and evenings working during college. Now that I bid by the job, I generally take home $1500 for a long weekend of work with 1-2 helpers. Main tip/takeaway? Carefully choose what city or even ne neighborhood to work in. In large cities there is always work to be found, every hour of every day, so this is good for people who are fully self employed doing this as their main job. In mid-high income suburban areas, the jobs are harder to find but so are the contractors, allowing you to charge more as a side-hustler.
Such a great article Handyman. My family is in the demolition and excavating business. I went into medicine and became a hospital physician, but often regret not going into a trade. There are very few independent docs out there who can work for themselves now. Will be sure to show my 15 year old son this article. Merry Christmas.
Been in in the commercial fire sprinkler trade for 25 years. Joined the union 6 years ago… The way I see it, I wasted 19 years not being in the union, I’d have a huge pension by now! But let me say this- NOT ALL UNIONS ARE GOOD! But mine is, and had I known my retirement didn’t follow, or was smart enough to research for myself, I’d be eligable for retirement right now had I been union. Union dues are around 120 from each check, and my pay is still within the top 3 trades wherever I go. Take all the negative info with a grain of salt, not all of it is lies. But in my experience, my family has a better life for it.
Attended trade school for air conditioning and refrigeration and major home appliances a year after graduating high school, 1981. I worked on and off in the field for many years before going to work for the federal government. I worked building maintenance then went into management, construction management and building maintenance management as well as vocational training instructor eventually retiring with a good pension. To supplement my retirement I do residential painting and HVAC as well as some electrical work. All because I learned the HVAC trade way back when. I learned that most people hate to paint and are willing to pay almost anything so they won’t have to and that’s where I come in. My mother always told me to learn a trade; no matter what profession you go into you can always fall back on your trade and she was right. Thanks mom.
Commercial Fire Alarm is always looking for people. There are many companies willing to train and the money is good. After 3 months you can go after what’s called NICET certification for level 1 and then at 2 years you can go for level 2. Most companies will pay for the test and once you have a couple years in and nicet certification you can basically write your own ticket in the business. I went to trade school for electronics, had no experience and now I’m 12 years in and I love it. Great pay and benefits. Alarm companies will provide you with a vehicle, phone, laptop/iPad. It falls under the electrical trade so electrical knowledge is helpful.
Great information for guys trying to get started. I am not involved in the building trade directly but i have worked on many building sites as a Welder/ Fabricator. Getting started is tough. The saying you Need to Crawl Before you can Walk, pretty much covers it. Take the crap jobs to get some experience. Like it or not you Need to do this IF you plan to get anywhere without the help of Mummy or Daddy putting a good word in with a family friend or relative. Once you have some experience then start to find more of what you’re looking for. Either that or go to Night School and learn the trade your interested in. After you have experience in either way, you can start looking for decent work with decent pay. Don’t just sit around complaining about. Every Employee Needs Me to Have Experience. Think about in reverse ? Would you employee yourself with NO experience ????
Immigrated from Russia years ago, started in construction and studied for home inspection. As a home inspector made 180k first year, 320k second year (not counting houses I flipped) and ended up owning excavation company making up to 2 millions a year and still doing wholesales and flipping houses. There’s no bad or low pay trades. It all depends on your personal ability to organize yourself and business you do. I know one couple who do flooring only, and they make hundreds of thousands a year. I know a countertop contractor who started as an installer and now produces countertops, sells and installs them (of course he built a great team). And many more cases. And non of them born here in US. God Bless America! Not to offend but you people haven’t seen shit and don’t know what the struggle is. All the opportunities been given to you by the fact you born here. So use them! Good luck construction brothers!
True say, I am turning 35 in May. I am son to a carpenter/ craftsman and a beautician, and I, a lifelong visual artist, went to both art high school and college, though after 2 recessions and a global crisis, the art I do is like a side hustle to the work I am missing to really get ahead. I started up temp work with an agency in my area October 2022 and ended up on a construction site as a detail laborer. I did such a great job that the client left great reviews and rated me so highly, that the agency selected me to a skilled trades labor program. I chose carpentry, as I do love to work with my hands and don’t mind the outdoors. I am working through the program and cant wait to start building up my skills, hopefully to later take on welding, then get to plumbing (because electrical escapes me). 🙏🏾 I am still invested in my art, as its my passion craft, I revolve around my studio set in an storage center, work part time as a sound install tech, and live out of my van so I can stay on the move to where the work is. See you at the top! Greetings from Miami, FL
15 year non union pipefitter here. My welder friend brought me in as a helper. I learned everything I could. Moved up to top pay in 1 year. Now I’m in quality control. Certified Welding Inspector. I’ve been on the road the entire time. Been a lot of places and seen lots of things. Made lots of money.
You nailed both pathways. Time in any trade school will always be a good base for field experience. I had my dad the master carpenter and later as a construction superintendent as a mentor throughout my childhood. Priceless. My interests during my teen years diverted to highway construction so his golden advice was to go get my engineering degree then I would have choices in careers as I was already skilled at carpentry to sail through apprenticeship. Best advice ever. Post college I worked highway construction, framed houses and had 30 year career as a professional engineer. My 22 ounce Plumb hammer was always nearby on weekends. I am the proud son of a skilled tradesmen and still miss my mentor 40 years after his passing. God Bless America.
Pick something you think you might enjoy, work for next to nothing at first, show up on time, agree to work late or weird hours, be willing to travel, do your best work, ask questions of those with more experience until they’re sick of you, build your network (including office people, especially those in sales), don’t bad-mouth other people’s work, acquire the various state licensing and keep a smile on your face. / 38 years in commercial electronics (1986 to 1998 as an employee), self-employed since
I can’t believe how many people think that construction workers are uneducated and therefore make an unrespectable income. Some of these trades like electrical construction, plumbing, and heavy machine operating sometimes pay equal to or more than some college degree especially if they’re union. However being self employed is always better… Thanks for the article.
I have worked in every residential construction trade but plumbing, heating and HVAC over a 40 year period on both coasts as well as 4 years in New Zealand. I’m 57 today and I’m still banging it out most days! The bad hip hurts at the end of most days but I love this gig and the freedom and the pay! I will always work, until I cannot.
In HVAC, our greenies start out doing maintenance. When i started, i went to tech school for a year while also working at burger king. Got a federal grant to pay for it and tools to start with. Learned a ton. Knew more than some of the older techs who didnt go to school, but i had no experience which is where they ate me up.
Advice on getting started in the trades, the best case is to grow up around this type of work, working with your hands, working with tools, working with friends who use tools. If you don’t have this type of experience then find a carpenter or plumber or electrician you can work for as a helper, and be totally reliable, hard working, and willing to learn.
In my experience as a Canadian Electrical Apprentice, Journeyman, Electrical foreman and now supervisor. If you choose skilled trades as a career path early enough there are many provincial programs in place at a high school level that are teaching the curriculum of basic electrical of a college level. For example in Ontario, the OYAP – “Ontario Youth Apprentice Program”. All in class and coop hours are counted toward your apprenticeship. Get started early and you can be making more money than a Doctor before they can even qualify as an intern.
I’ve been doing HVAC for 25 years. If your a young guy in the Southeast part of the country you can go to any of your local companies and ask if they are a hiring. You can start out in residential new construction or residential change outs as a gopher and get all the training you need. Some companies give tool allowances. You could also try and become an entry level maintenance technician which has sales opportunities. My company hires green techs from time to time and pays for their schooling while they work.
My first job was rewiring my grandmother’s house using a how to book. When the inspector came by to look at the work, he questioned me as to how I thought I could do such a job. He told me I got a few things wrong, but he said if he told me what they were, I wouldn’t learn anything. He pulled the current NEC out of car and gave it to me. Next visit, he passed the job. I went on to work on helicopters in the Air Force in Tucson, but I did a ton of side jobs all over town.
Not in construction at all, I’m in oil production. What I can tell you is apply for every job you can that you are interested in. No one would give me a shot at first but I didn’t hold that against the companies. I just wasn’t a good buy for them. Having no experience and an unknown work ethic. I finally got a job as a backhoe spotter. Making 8.50 an hour. I watched the. Backhoe dig or break cement for 12 hours a day for 9 months. And I gave it my all. They finally saw I was committed moved me up to a different kind of crew with a welder and crane and picked up some skills there. Kept doing that and now I run an oilfield lease. My key take aways are don’t get stagnant. Keep working hard and whatever job you have, even if you aren’t wanting to do that forever, learn everyday. Did I want to run a backhoe forever when I was 18, nope. But I learned to run it in case my operator was ever off so my boss had a back up. Did I want to weld or run a crane? Not really. But I learned to cut, weld, and run the controls in a pinch. Just to show my bosses I was willing to work and learn.
My first tile job I kind of BS’ed my way in the door….. lasted an entire 4 hours before the sup let me go (but he was very nice about it). Personally, I think you need a good attitude AND a whole bunch of bravado. One more component that always seems to help is to read lots and in this modern age, watch a lot of high quality articles. This website is obviously a great place to start, but there are many other great websites as well for more specific trades like drywall, etc. Be a sponge and absorb as much information as you can handle. Being a life long learner is the key. Finally, do quality work, even when you are breaking even, or perhaps even losing on the job. Two things happen: you become more proficient AND people recognize that you do good work and will call you back again, or if you are an employee, they will keep you on. That’s my 2 cents worth (or is it a dime these days?). Good luck to all you newbies.
36 yrs old taught my self plumbing back in 2008. Mostly do service. The big money is in service. I charge $189 / hr and I make my own schedule. I awnser my phone when I need some money. I learn that you will never have enough money no matter how much you make so I take most of summer off and work with a customer base of about 200.
Much of the advice here comes with the phrase: “Show up on time and be willing to work hard.” Speaking from experience, that is the best advice possible. Another tidbit I remember when I was starting out: “Your ‘job’ is to make the boss the money. As long as he’s making money, you’ve got a job.” It is true, and your goal should be to one day be that boss that hires others to make you money. Best of luck to all (but again, if you show up and work hard, you take most of the ‘luck’ out of the equation.
Little secret, Insulation makes the most money in construction.while all trades have to invest in different tools and materials. Insulation is simple to install requires the bare minimum of tools and it’s usually the same material per job. Inspection is a piece of cake. And installation doesn’t have to impress anyone because it gets covered by drywall. And because most people hate working with fiberglass it’s a well paid item.
Good article, there is a lot of misinformation about salaries. What I think happens is the Federal Government takes Tim the Electrician and sees he makes $200,000 a year then assumes “electricians make $200,000 a year” but what Tim really is is a business owner, Tim’s employees earn from $20- $50 an hour.
I started out as a groundskeeper at an apartment community right out of high school. Moved up to maintenance technician within a year, got certified in hvac on the companies dime and eventually rose up the ladder to maintenance manager and eventually started doing side jobs on nights and weekends gradually having enough work and customers to quit working for apartments and went out on my own. I learned so much about each trade working in the apartment industry that I felt comfortable enough to take on new challenges independently. Ive been self employed for over 5 years and continue growing and making more and more money on bigger and bigger jobs. Started out hanging flat screen tvs to completely renovating entire home solely on my own.
I’m an electrician technician. I mainly do residential, I run my own van with an occasional apprentice when I have bigger jobs . But I got lucky, I had just got laid off work, and went to a temp agency and since I was one of the only ones there to actually learn and work I was able to start as an electrician helper got hired on eventually became an apprentice, did some school but my company saw that only code classes were really worth anything (unless you’re in commercial) and eventually got with a company who gave me a chance to run my own van and I didn’t let that go to waste. I would come home and take online courses to learn more, (electrician u) awesome YouTube website by the way. But I’m still learning of course but I’m confident in my work and my ability to learn what I don’t know yet
One great thing about skilled trades: you can learn while still in high school and have a marketable skill as soon as you graduate. If you plan to do college it is always best to have that under your belt and work a decent side job while studying. By the time you graduate you’ve got years of work experience and (hopefully) a good education which give you multiple paths of employment.
i love this. I spent working 7 years in the Emergency department as a tech and always thought I was going to be a doctor. Then I recently decided after some soul-seraching, that due to the time, debt, and burnout of this career path, I decided to do a career change and go blue collar. I’m looking into various trades, (electrician, diesel mechanic, etc.) and found this article informative. I may not be a young spring chicken like 18 or 20 and may be starting a career change at age 30 but I’m still very excited to start a new path. thanks for this article
My advice to the kids, get into your local career tech center in high school. Also if you live in a bigger city, work at a factory for awhile. 90% of factories will pay for you to go to college, about 1 or 2 courses a semester. Go for the trades. That’s what i did, now i own my own company and am making well over 350k a year and only growing. Sky’s the limit with talent and ambition.
Great information. I myself am an electrician and tried for months to find a local shop to get hired on with. After being turned down repeatedly, I went a different route and applied at my local union. I received great schooling (working through my union is paying off my schooling), good benefits, and make 40 an hour on the check. That is another route the young greenhorns can take. Some trades and local will actually cut apprentices a check to go to school. Mine didn’t, but I know some electrical locals do
My youngest son joined the service right out of high school. His home air base was Eglin AFB in Florida almost 6years and his crew did the plumbing maint. and repairs for the whole base. Detached to the Army for two tours in Iraq and learned new construction of all sorts traveling all around. After 6 years active he came home, got a job with a large plumbing company for a couple of years and then went on his own with his plumbing contractors license. Few years later has three employees and doing well.
I got into the Carpenter’s Union through my dad. I carpooled with him and am inheriting his tools. On top of that, he’s an amazing rocker. I’m learning from someone who kicks butt in the field, but also kicks my butt much harder than anyone else he’s trained. Many people say any dummy can rock, but to rock well and as fast as possible takes practice. I get paid $35 but gross is $20 an hour. Much better than McDonald’s and every other job that’s pushed onto young people. I also lost around 15 lbs of fat after my first 6-8 months rocking. Take care of your health or else you’ll spend all of your time for money, just to spend it on your health. Then you’ll be doing things you don’t want to do not only double time but triple time, plus you’ll have no money in the bank and be undesirable to companies.
I got started 4 years ago I work for somebody for $10 an hour without experience without knowing Nothing After one year He give me $12 an hour after 2 years 15 Hour after 3 years Twenty one hour So if you don’t have tools I think the best thing to do is work for somebody else And you gonna get to experience this is what I did And Now I work for myself
Thanks for the information. Im looking at a career transfer into handyman work and self employment, from law enforcement. Its difficult to make that change at 34 yrs old but your articles are mentally preparing me for that jump. Ive redone my current house ( laundry room and bathroom taken to the studs and moved a wall) but had my electrical and plumbing done by contractors. However i did learn a bit from perusal them. Looks like i may have to find some courses or someone to take me on to learn more.
If I didn’t get into engineering I would unquestionably be an electrician. Seems pretty hard to get into the local unions but once you’re in you’re set. For now I’ll just use my electrical expertise on my properties, and if engineering goes south some day…that’s my fallback plan! I always try and encourage younger guys in my generation to consider the trades.
I started in the trades at 19 without knowing what a plywood was, and stuck with it. I’m 36 now. I have to learn the business aspect of it better to earn more, but the trades have been good. I can fix almost anything, I seem to be some steps behind The Handyman, but its alright, I’ll get there. 36 year old, only debt is a house mortgage.
Licensed master plumber here in Texas. Its definitely a great trade to get into. You can make a nice living after 2 years if you apply yourself. It only goes up from there. HVAC or electrician are also great trades. Just work hard, be a sponge when the older guys are talking and do a liitle more than the other apprentices. It will be noticed. You will succeed.
Excellent presentation. I got into corporate accounting in the same way. I took a 9-month course in accounting in which I earned a certificate. That landed me an entry-level job. I worked hard and I was faithful and kept taking classes to improve my skill level. Eventually, I worked my way up to a cost accounting manager.
I’m Electrician out of CA. I completed a 2-year Electrical Technology program at a Community College. Met a guy going through the same program who already worked for a company. Toward the end of the program, My friend got me a job with his company and the rest is history. It’s been 6 years and I’ve never been out of work. You have to have a good head on your shoulders, be respectful and have at least the hand tools required for the trade.
While in college during summer break had a gig doing light commercial apartment turn overs, the jobs were mainly painting, other jobs were wallpaper removal, vinyl tile, Sheetrock repairs etc. never had done any of them except for painting. So here we go on the job training! Best training there is by the way! The GC(general contractor) we were working for apparently wasn’t paying his other employees, so was run off the properties. I turned to my co-worker and said let’s take this project back! We had a pretty solid idea what the price list was (everything was by the piece) and submitted our own proposal! Within two weeks of being basically fired for no reason of our own doing we were the new GC’s! Running 15-20 crews of 3, 12hrs/day! Needless to say we were banking and on our own @ 20 years of age making over $6000.00/wk after payroll!! So go make it happen! Referrals are the best way to stay in business!! Word of mouth!
One great way to get top notch experience and your journeyman license, in a given trade, is to join a local union. Say what you will about there political structure, there hands on training mixed with class work is unbeatable. You will work with somone everyday who is more thank likely a licensed journeyman or master. You get pay raises every 6-12 months. I did it for a year and a half in the plumbing industry. I was then able to take my experience to a residential plumbing service company and make some bank. Work hard, get good 👍
22 1/2 years in construction now at this point. 18 of that was in commercial with 15 of that in Construction Management. Started off by packing foundation forms, then framing, then installing fixtures for commercial and so on. The best way to move up in construction is to understand that you will get out of it what you put in to it.
Very accurate I had same experience trying to get my first job I’m a licensed electrician self employed own my own electrical company now..when looking for your foot in the door for electrical plumbing ect…lie…lie…lie never tell your employment opportunity that you have no experience just fake it till you make it!!!!