Ask a tradie how often clients don't pay their bills.
Ask a tradie how many paid sick days they get.
The trades are one way to make a living wage, but they definitely aren't an easy way to do it. There are some union jobs, but largely the trades require you to run your own business in one way or another. Even your average car mechanic employed by a garage has to provide their own tools at HUGE cost.
I think a lot of people don't realize just how hard it is to be in the trades.
The ones who make Real Money in the trades are mostly in sales & management before their career's too far along (either very high-up in some larger firm, or running their own thing with employees). Their knees tend to be OK.
[EDIT] Actually, that kinda goes for tech workers who aren't in the top part of the trimodal comp graph, too. You either move into management or start your own thing, if you want Real Money (else you'll see a bad mid-career plateau).
Comments
Talk to a tradie who was around in 2008.
Ask an older tradie how their body is doing.
Ask a tradie how often clients don't pay their bills.
Ask a tradie how many paid sick days they get.
The trades are one way to make a living wage, but they definitely aren't an easy way to do it. There are some union jobs, but largely the trades require you to run your own business in one way or another. Even your average car mechanic employed by a garage has to provide their own tools at HUGE cost.
I think a lot of people don't realize just how hard it is to be in the trades.
"Just be an electrician! Look how well they're paid!"
Sure, be an electrician. But first try working an 8-hour day with your arms above shoulder level half the time.
Show me a sparkie that only works an 8 hour day, it's 12 hours standing on cold concrete.
Yeah it’s not the 8 hour days that you are thinking of. Blue collar workers work terrible hours and have mostly been robbed of holidays and weekends
The ones who make Real Money in the trades are mostly in sales & management before their career's too far along (either very high-up in some larger firm, or running their own thing with employees). Their knees tend to be OK.
[EDIT] Actually, that kinda goes for tech workers who aren't in the top part of the trimodal comp graph, too. You either move into management or start your own thing, if you want Real Money (else you'll see a bad mid-career plateau).