helper rate

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Vinniem

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Central Jersey
I'm considering hiring a helper. he has basic electrical knowledge, 1 year of vo-tech experience and one year of hands on experience working for another contractor. he currently makes 10/hr.

Just wondering what others in new jersey are paying.
 
Last summer I hired a helper who had no electrical experience, though he had some general construction experience. I gave him $13 per hour, and quickly realized I was paying him too much. Six months later I felt he was probably worth $13/ hour, and he left me for a better opportunity. This summer I again hired a helper who had no experience and gave him $12 per hour. Not sure if he was worth it or not, because he left me after 5 days.
You're hiring a guy with some experience. I'd probably still start him at $12 for the 1st threee months or so.
 
Helper Pay

Helper Pay

I see the question and reply both are from NJ. My question is...What does a journeyman get per hour in your area? A year of experience and a year of school sounds pretty good - $10-$13 per hour does not sound like wages are very high in your area. I can't imagine a helper would not be looking for something better the same day he went to work for you. I retired from the business, bought a motel in Alaska, and pay my housekeepers $11 hour. Now, wages are probably pretty comparable here to NJ for electricians, I know they are not for the unskilled....But I would not wish to take advantage of anyone. What kind of life would you have in NJ on $10-$13 per hour.
My 3 son's are electricians, and are good...and receive top pay. My grandson is a 2nd year apprentice in Washington state and receives $15 per hour. Talking on the phone to him the other day I asked what j-man on his job get paid, and if he thinks he should get a raise. If he thinks he should, and does not get one, it is time to find another job....
 
RHJohnson said:
I see the question and reply both are from NJ. My question is...What does a journeyman get per hour in your area? A year of experience and a year of school sounds pretty good - $10-$13 per hour does not sound like wages are very high in your area. I can't imagine a helper would not be looking for something better the same day he went to work for you. I retired from the business, bought a motel in Alaska, and pay my housekeepers $11 hour. Now, wages are probably pretty comparable here to NJ for electricians, I know they are not for the unskilled....But I would not wish to take advantage of anyone. What kind of life would you have in NJ on $10-$13 per hour.
My 3 son's are electricians, and are good...and receive top pay. My grandson is a 2nd year apprentice in Washington state and receives $15 per hour. Talking on the phone to him the other day I asked what j-man on his job get paid, and if he thinks he should get a raise. If he thinks he should, and does not get one, it is time to find another job....
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The last kid I hired had just graduated high school the week before starting with me. I think $12 per hour is probably a good start for a kid in that position.
 
JES2727 said:
The last kid I hired had just graduated high school the week before starting with me. I think $12 per hour is probably a good start for a kid in that position.
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when i was in tech school, i worked for an electrical contractor for a whopping $7.50 per hour. after school, i split with him.
 
kypredsfan said:
when i was in tech school, i worked for an electrical contractor for a whopping $7.50 per hour. after school, i split with him.
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When was that?
Last week, last year...?

W/o a time reference the fugure is meaningless.


Back in 1988 - with about 2 or 3 years experience) I was getting $10/hr here in NJ. For this $10 I was expected to:
"Run" the crew (2 - 3 other guys, experience unknown) as the owner was MIA. "Running" the crew consisted of reading the prints, ordering material, laying out the work to the crew, etc on an oil-to-gas conversion in the "projects".
When I first stated in '86/'87 I was getting $6/$7 hr.
 
I am in New Jersey, all our apprentices, are in the State Labor Department apprentice program, 4 years in class training, and 4 years on the job trainning, when they start out we submit a wage schedule, and their paid on that schedule. For example: they may start at $12.00 then every 6 months receive an increase, until they reach the last day of their apprentice program, when they reach the journeyman pay scale, right now in Jersey that can be from $19 to $24 on average.

A helper, is not an apprentice, if he is not enrolled in a certified program, the pay for a helper, can be any number you pick.

Many EC's USE! helpers, to avoid the progressive pay, and trainning costs.

IMO, After investing both time, and money in mentoring an apprentice, it pays to offer the decent wage.
 
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