Need advice from someone with a successful construction career.?

Question

Hi, I'm 25 years old, and tired of dead end jobs. I've made the decision that I want to get into a field where I can actually make a good living as well as make a career out of it. And since I can't afford, or have time to go to college right now, It seems that construction may be the way to go, since I hear you can start out at a good wage and move up quick. I don't have any professional experience, just personal building projects. I'm also in great shape from years of playing sports and working out.

So right now I'm looking for any advice for getting into the construction field, for example, the best ways to do it, like finding a regular job, or going through an apprenticeship program. Going union or non-union. I'd like to know what sorts of things to watch out for, or not get suckered into. Perhaps some great companies that hire entry level people. Ways to find a company that offers prevailing wages. Any great advice I'd love to hear.

The primary things I'm looking for are
1) I need to start out making at least $16 an hour, I live in a house, so my bills are a bit higher and that's the minimum I can squeak by on.
2) I'd like there to be great advancement opportunity to be making a great wage after a few years, like $30+ an hour.
3) I'd like a job that is roughtly a 40 hour job, I can work overtime, but I really don't want to be pressured or required to work 50 or more hour weeks.
4) I don't want the work to be extremely backbreaking, I'm in great shape and can lift alot if needed here and there throughout the day, but I don't my job to revolve around grunt work.
5) I'd like to minimize my exposure to hazardous chemicals.

PS: Right now my top choice is applying for a carpenters apprenticeship position, the pay starts at $17 and ends up around $30 at journeyman level in a few years. Any advice as far as if you think this is a good way to go, or perhaps there is something better?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Well not knowing where you live it is hard to give specific details regarding construction careers, But I can tell you about what you need to work as a carpenter.
My husband hires people with no experience and starts them at $15. ph, if they are good workers, and catch on fast and are reliable he gives them a raise after 3 months. We hire people on a cash basis and it is up to them to file taxes etc. The majority of carpenters earn under $30 per hour Foremen, Lead Carpenters etc may get more. if you are working for a company. Self employed Carpenters can earn much more. My husband and I are both Carpenters He is a Master CArpenter and I am a Sawyer. when we work together our net pay per hour is a minimum of $90.00
You are better off looking for a small firm to work with rather than a large one. Smaller co. will teach you whereas larger ones just want people for specific jobs and don't have the need to train anyone. For you to earn more money as a carpenter you will need to go to school, you need to learn about building codes, blueprint reading, and much more even Math. Don't expect to be earning $30 ph within 3 years, a more realistic time frame for reaching that hourly wage would be 10 years. And you will need to know how to build a house from the ground up. doing the work in one thing, BUT knowing what and why and how to build it is another. anyone can nail a 2x4 to something. The trick is knowing what it is for!!

Answer 2

hi, you are so young and you have time,but first if you have big house you can seal it and buy smoll apartment or cando and if you can find two job it will be good for you. you can open asmoll besnuss or you can move to other state like north caloraina. i am sorry my english is not really thats good and i have big problem too i can not find job beacuse i dont have experans any way thank you and take care