Originally Posted By: MTeague
I agree that the construction life takes its toll on some people. Some of them are nothing short of pure roughnecks when it comes drugs. If they are welding pipe and only making in the %15-$18 range: 1) They're not much of a welder. 2) They need to drag up and go somewhere else. Pipe Welders in the Decatur area along the river make anywhere from $23-$26


Not trying to be a jerk but $23-$26 per hour is not $70K unless they are working a lot of overtime. $26 per hour is $54,080 per year in a 2080 hour work year. Pipe fitters make good money, and boiler makers make better money but both usually travel 90% of the time. I know there are some guys at Nucor that make really good money welding and other places like that, but they are the one in a 1000 guys.

Here's the cold hard truth about working in a trade job. You're most likely gonna top out at $20 or less per year. If you work up be a foreman, add $5 to that.

A really smart businessman told me something 20 years ago that has stuck with me. He said, when you work for someone else, you're only going to make as much as money as they'll let you make. That sucks, but that's just the way it is.

I worked for somebody else for 19 years after college. Then the Good Lord smiled on me and my brother and I were able to buy our business. The guys at my shop that have been there for more than a year make good money. I know we pay a good bit more than the average for our area. We've got some good guys and we take care of them.

I pay myself the same dang thing I made when I worked in the chicken business. LOL But I love every minute of it.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14