Career Change Inquiry
- Thread starter lrodptl
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brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
I tell people all the time this is America, people make a decent living doing all sorts of work from pumping sewage out of backyards, to repairing computers.
Those that make good money work hard, are honest and perform good work in afield they are knowledgeable in.
I tell people all the time this is America, people make a decent living doing all sorts of work from pumping sewage out of backyards, to repairing computers.
Those that make good money work hard, are honest and perform good work in afield they are knowledgeable in.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
I would have said go for it 15 years ago.Made big $$$$ back then.Now at least where i am the pay is rather poor in relationship to cost of living and inflation.You will need to be a helper for about 4 years then hold journeyman lic for couple more in most places to even take masters test.Others here might disagree with me but in fl the construction buisness has turned poor with imigration allowing others to do work here and they will work for far less so wages have gone south
I would have said go for it 15 years ago.Made big $$$$ back then.Now at least where i am the pay is rather poor in relationship to cost of living and inflation.You will need to be a helper for about 4 years then hold journeyman lic for couple more in most places to even take masters test.Others here might disagree with me but in fl the construction buisness has turned poor with imigration allowing others to do work here and they will work for far less so wages have gone south
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Not exactly a ringing endorsement! I've worked very hard on aircraft for 20 years for a major airline. We've fought tooth and nail for our wages,pension,work rules,health care etc. Approx 200,000 airline workers and 40000 mechanics are on the street. Hard work and honesty don't always feed the dog. I was hoping electrical work could be a safety net. Are there more electricians than work? A lot of union electricians are on the street. Can they make a legitimate living on there own? Competetive? How competetive? Is the potential growing or contracting? I hear both. I'm just looking for answers. I have my HVAC license and hate the work. I have a B.S. in Avionics but would have to move. Just trying to get a practical education.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement! I've worked very hard on aircraft for 20 years for a major airline. We've fought tooth and nail for our wages,pension,work rules,health care etc. Approx 200,000 airline workers and 40000 mechanics are on the street. Hard work and honesty don't always feed the dog. I was hoping electrical work could be a safety net. Are there more electricians than work? A lot of union electricians are on the street. Can they make a legitimate living on there own? Competetive? How competetive? Is the potential growing or contracting? I hear both. I'm just looking for answers. I have my HVAC license and hate the work. I have a B.S. in Avionics but would have to move. Just trying to get a practical education.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
The problem in Fl and perhaps other places is that large companies are taking over the residential new homes.They have learned that cheap kids out of high school can be taught to be installers not electricians and will gladly work for $8 to $10 an hour and follow a layout per house showing what wires go to what boxes and how to splice,allmost like they do a mobile home.It is hard for a small company or even a large one to pay journeymans wages and win the bid.We have a few companies that wire thousands of tract homes a year.There profit per house is low but make up for it in volume.While you could become an electrician and get a license it will take years.There is a place for service techs but unless you own the company it will not pay great.With a hvac license i would think you could make far more money.They do simple package unit change outs and clear $1,000 for simple 4 hour jobs.Hire a few workers and just run the company.Or maybe learn computer repairs.
The problem in Fl and perhaps other places is that large companies are taking over the residential new homes.They have learned that cheap kids out of high school can be taught to be installers not electricians and will gladly work for $8 to $10 an hour and follow a layout per house showing what wires go to what boxes and how to splice,allmost like they do a mobile home.It is hard for a small company or even a large one to pay journeymans wages and win the bid.We have a few companies that wire thousands of tract homes a year.There profit per house is low but make up for it in volume.While you could become an electrician and get a license it will take years.There is a place for service techs but unless you own the company it will not pay great.With a hvac license i would think you could make far more money.They do simple package unit change outs and clear $1,000 for simple 4 hour jobs.Hire a few workers and just run the company.Or maybe learn computer repairs.
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Jim, as you and Allen know, Fl is definitely not the place to relocate to if you think your going make a great living considering wages verse cost of living, not to mention that in central to south Florida the aquifer is contaminated with sewage and yet 1000's of homes are being built instead of considering a moratorium until a better solution can be found
Having a gung ho attitude, as well as the right experience to offer a company can get someone to a higher scale, but until the state or local areas mandate a license to apprentice ratio, there will always be a low average pay scale.
BTW, Just so we're clear on things, I'm not saying N.C is rolling in the higher than average pay category for tradesmen either.
As Brian says, working hard can make a person successful no matter what they do.
Roger
[ October 02, 2004, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
Jim, as you and Allen know, Fl is definitely not the place to relocate to if you think your going make a great living considering wages verse cost of living, not to mention that in central to south Florida the aquifer is contaminated with sewage and yet 1000's of homes are being built instead of considering a moratorium until a better solution can be found
Having a gung ho attitude, as well as the right experience to offer a company can get someone to a higher scale, but until the state or local areas mandate a license to apprentice ratio, there will always be a low average pay scale.
BTW, Just so we're clear on things, I'm not saying N.C is rolling in the higher than average pay category for tradesmen either.
As Brian says, working hard can make a person successful no matter what they do.
Roger
[ October 02, 2004, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Roger, the part that hurts is wages have only raised about 10 % in last 15 years.There was a time when we earned a good wage here.All i will say is visit our area and take a good look at the workers and the reason to low wages will be crystal clear.While your at it look at the poor quality of work too.
Roger, the part that hurts is wages have only raised about 10 % in last 15 years.There was a time when we earned a good wage here.All i will say is visit our area and take a good look at the workers and the reason to low wages will be crystal clear.While your at it look at the poor quality of work too.
Re: Career Change Inquiry
I have been in this trade for 15 years and have friends working in it from Rhode Island to Florida and California to Washington D.C. and I will tell you straight. Your better off finding something else to do for a living. The wages for Professional Electricians have not kept up with inflation. As others have said, many larger companies would rather hire illegals or high school kids to work for nothing. The other problem is that there are to many Electricians in the US and that puts downward pressure on wages
I have been in this trade for 15 years and have friends working in it from Rhode Island to Florida and California to Washington D.C. and I will tell you straight. Your better off finding something else to do for a living. The wages for Professional Electricians have not kept up with inflation. As others have said, many larger companies would rather hire illegals or high school kids to work for nothing. The other problem is that there are to many Electricians in the US and that puts downward pressure on wages
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Jim,
The quality of work was higher when I left according to the people I stay in touch with, even though some want to apply modern codes as a reason to criticize the older wiring.
It amazes me that the ease of aquiring a contractors license is still so easy, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it just three years experience?
Roger
Jim,
Jim, I'm a fourth generation Floridian, and left in 89, probably about the time you and Allen were arriving, so I know what the wages were in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and the surounding counties, and since I have friends and relatives still working in the trade in these areas, I know what they are today.
The quality of work was higher when I left according to the people I stay in touch with, even though some want to apply modern codes as a reason to criticize the older wiring.
It amazes me that the ease of aquiring a contractors license is still so easy, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it just three years experience?
Roger
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Within the last 6 years have at least 3 years of proven management experience in the trade or, within the last 8 years have at least 4 years as a supervisor or, within the last 12 years have at least 6 years of comprehensive training and tecnical education in the trade, or within the last 12 years been licensed for at least 3 years as a professional engineer, or have a combination of any of the above totaling 6 years.
A registered contractor must meet the requirements of the local administrative code which is generally a total of 6 years verifiable experience.
Remember that this is only to qualify for the exam. You still must pass the exam and meet all the other criteria.
Actually, its not quite that easy. Per the FL Statutes 489.511, a person who is to be a certified contractor must have the following experience.
Within the last 6 years have at least 3 years of proven management experience in the trade or, within the last 8 years have at least 4 years as a supervisor or, within the last 12 years have at least 6 years of comprehensive training and tecnical education in the trade, or within the last 12 years been licensed for at least 3 years as a professional engineer, or have a combination of any of the above totaling 6 years.
A registered contractor must meet the requirements of the local administrative code which is generally a total of 6 years verifiable experience.
Remember that this is only to qualify for the exam. You still must pass the exam and meet all the other criteria.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Roger :i came to Fl in 73 did not start wiring for a living till 82.Am told that many old timers got licensed rather easily 40 years ago.Some are still out there.I took my masters back in 96 and at the time had held journeymans license for at least 4 years.I won't say the masters was easy but did pass with 76% on second try.I have gave some thought to retesting as i had let it lap,big mistake.If i really thought the agrivation of owning a company again was worth it maybe i would do it.I have seen how hard it is on small companies and the only way they can make it now is to do remodels,service changes,service calls.To even think of bidding on new homes is not possible anymore.I would be working for $10 an hour to win the bid considering the price break i would not get that huge companies have.At my age im looking forward to retiring from this field soon.To be honest big orange almost pays as much as i earn and has benifits.Some that work there find side jobs and could easily out earn me .Very few men make more than $17 hour and if there getting that they are top men with years at the company and run crews.I am thinking very hard on going to big orange or get back into computer repairs.I do not see why anyone today would look as a career to be an electrician.
Was told friday by a drywall/framing leader that his company knows that many of there guys lack a real green card and often as many as 10 guys at differant companies use the same name,card,and social security number.They work cheap so they let it slide
[ October 02, 2004, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
Roger :i came to Fl in 73 did not start wiring for a living till 82.Am told that many old timers got licensed rather easily 40 years ago.Some are still out there.I took my masters back in 96 and at the time had held journeymans license for at least 4 years.I won't say the masters was easy but did pass with 76% on second try.I have gave some thought to retesting as i had let it lap,big mistake.If i really thought the agrivation of owning a company again was worth it maybe i would do it.I have seen how hard it is on small companies and the only way they can make it now is to do remodels,service changes,service calls.To even think of bidding on new homes is not possible anymore.I would be working for $10 an hour to win the bid considering the price break i would not get that huge companies have.At my age im looking forward to retiring from this field soon.To be honest big orange almost pays as much as i earn and has benifits.Some that work there find side jobs and could easily out earn me .Very few men make more than $17 hour and if there getting that they are top men with years at the company and run crews.I am thinking very hard on going to big orange or get back into computer repairs.I do not see why anyone today would look as a career to be an electrician.
Was told friday by a drywall/framing leader that his company knows that many of there guys lack a real green card and often as many as 10 guys at differant companies use the same name,card,and social security number.They work cheap so they let it slide
[ October 02, 2004, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Electricians should not be doing dangerous work. We can and should be shutting off the power.
I agree with Roger about the ratio issue. I live in a State that has a ratio, one apprentice maximum for each licensed electrician on the job.
This IMO keeps the wages fairly high.
Police, Firefighters and Soldiers all do dangerous work.
Electricians should not be doing dangerous work. We can and should be shutting off the power.
I agree with Roger about the ratio issue. I live in a State that has a ratio, one apprentice maximum for each licensed electrician on the job.
This IMO keeps the wages fairly high.
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
What shinning endorsements for a field that NEEDS GOOD QUALITY electricians. OK so you do residential electrical work move to a portion of the business that requires something more than a tract house requires. You have to carve a niche in a field where the big boys can't hurt you.
Big companies (in my experience) have trouble with quality and technical work. Do something that requires speciality. Do something where a big company may have trouble such as top quality or customer relations.
In Washington DC wages are 30 plus an hour 6.00 in benefits, plus truck, vacation and holidays.
I know electricians that are one man companies and do only basements and make quite a good living.
One friend has been in the same new neighborhood for several years based upon customer referrals. He does other jobs but this place keeps him hopping.
This is a good trade where you can make a good living, if your willing to look outside the box. In thirty plus years I have missed only 5 days due to unemployment and those five days I took off to see friends, when I returned I had a job waiting for me.
What shinning endorsements for a field that NEEDS GOOD QUALITY electricians. OK so you do residential electrical work move to a portion of the business that requires something more than a tract house requires. You have to carve a niche in a field where the big boys can't hurt you.
Big companies (in my experience) have trouble with quality and technical work. Do something that requires speciality. Do something where a big company may have trouble such as top quality or customer relations.
In Washington DC wages are 30 plus an hour 6.00 in benefits, plus truck, vacation and holidays.
I know electricians that are one man companies and do only basements and make quite a good living.
One friend has been in the same new neighborhood for several years based upon customer referrals. He does other jobs but this place keeps him hopping.
This is a good trade where you can make a good living, if your willing to look outside the box. In thirty plus years I have missed only 5 days due to unemployment and those five days I took off to see friends, when I returned I had a job waiting for me.
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Well in Mass. you will need 600 hours classroom and 8000 hours in the field to test for your Journeymans lisc. School you can do at night or go to trade school full time. After you get your lisc. you can go into business. Were you approaching electrical on a part time basis or full time? Part time could be a long haul with your other work. I'm really only familiar with work in my area but it seems that everyone I have spoken with that works in Mass. says good help is very hard to come by. There seems to be a need - as far as wages I would guess they vary by area. Go out and check around your local area - visit some local shops and see whats up then compare it to what you are doing now and decide. I've found the trade to be a very good career.
Well in Mass. you will need 600 hours classroom and 8000 hours in the field to test for your Journeymans lisc. School you can do at night or go to trade school full time. After you get your lisc. you can go into business. Were you approaching electrical on a part time basis or full time? Part time could be a long haul with your other work. I'm really only familiar with work in my area but it seems that everyone I have spoken with that works in Mass. says good help is very hard to come by. There seems to be a need - as far as wages I would guess they vary by area. Go out and check around your local area - visit some local shops and see whats up then compare it to what you are doing now and decide. I've found the trade to be a very good career.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
The idea of one journeyman to one helper would make my pay check a lot fatter,but that wont happen in an area that doesnt even care if any of the men carry a card.The master pulls the permit and everyone works under him.GC,EC and developers will not let this change.If starting monday they needed even 1 journeyman to 3 helpers construction would come to a grinding halt.Maybe 10% could pass the test right now.And Pasco County as of my last check does not even have journeymen cards
The idea of one journeyman to one helper would make my pay check a lot fatter,but that wont happen in an area that doesnt even care if any of the men carry a card.The master pulls the permit and everyone works under him.GC,EC and developers will not let this change.If starting monday they needed even 1 journeyman to 3 helpers construction would come to a grinding halt.Maybe 10% could pass the test right now.And Pasco County as of my last check does not even have journeymen cards
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Career Change Inquiry
Jeff: i am confused
are you saying you can pull permits and be in buisness with only a journeymans card? Do they have masters ?
Jeff: i am confused
are you saying you can pull permits and be in buisness with only a journeymans card? Do they have masters ?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Career Change Inquiry
A Mass. Journeyman can be an EC, but they are limited to one apprentice working for them.
In order to grow beyond that you need to get a Masters.
Yes you can pull a permit with a journeymans card and proof of liability insurance.
A Mass. Journeyman can be an EC, but they are limited to one apprentice working for them.
In order to grow beyond that you need to get a Masters.
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