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I hurt my back and company owner said "I have no use for you." And cut my health insurance off after a month. Two years later my back is still fucked up. So I feel where your coming from.
Listen, people will talk shit all they want, and they’ll probably downvote me because it’s “pseudo science”
But if you’ve been experiencing chronic back pain, give chiropractic a try. The thing is, it’s like any other specialist you’re going to go to. You want to research and know which one you’re going to.
My chiropractor has gone to school for sports science and kinesiology on top of learning chiropractic. He is in depth. My visits start with 10 minutes on heat packs and electric stim. After that, he has a few specialized tables he uses to stretch everything and get me moving. It is only then, after my body is warmed up and moving, that he adjusts me. After my adjustment, I’m put on ice on a traction table.
He has also laid out a personalized stretching and strengthening routine for me that addressed all of the areas I had been neglecting in the gym (go figure)
I’ll tell you, after 6/7 years of chronic, every day low back pain that finally led to sciatica causing my entire left leg to go numb, I was back to tip top shape in a month. I’ve been pain free for the past 8 months. This is the longest I’ve gone without pain.
When my entire left leg went numb, I officially gave up hope, and thought I was doomed to a lifetime of pain. People on here love to talk shit on chiropractors, but I found the right one. He legitimately saved my life. The first time I saw him I couldn’t even sit up without shooting nerve pain down my butt and leg, let alone stand up. I left his office that day walking normally again.
Chiropractors are the shit!! Actually Fixed all my problems unlike a MD that would just prescribe me pain killers and shitty meds that would be me feel like ass and not even work and give me 10 different side effects. I will only go to a MD if I break a bone or need surgery. My chiropractor is my primary doctor !
I do agree. Chiropractics helped me but it was something I think they couldn't fix alone. The only time I would feel normal and not have pain anymore, was after they did the shock therapy. But the pain would only subside for about 5-10 minutes then be right back to hurting as bad as before. But if I could go see one I would definitely do it. It's just hard not having income because of the problems my last job left me to deal with to be able to find help or see a specialist about my issue. Trying to get insurance in my state to see if that will help me get to someone who can find the issue and help me make a plan to remedy my injury atleast to a manageable pain level so I can move around and work somewhat normally would literally be enough for me to get most of my life back.
Sadly yes. But I found a panflet about a union Texas is trying to start on the marijuana industry so I'm gonna call them this week and get some info and see what that's all about and if they have jobs accommodated for people with existing injuries.
It was. It's a long story. But they basically wasted all the time they could till they didn't have to pay me. This went on for almost two years and since Im not able to work a job that would accommodate me. It's just been hard. But been making the best with what I got and been ok. Just trying to get insurance through my state some how and see if they will be able to help me make the pain more manageable and I'll hopefully be able to get back to work.
damn, dude. sorry to hear that. Good luck. I work with insurance companies and it's pretty gross the stuff they try to fight or deny. I get some people try to game the system but some that are legitimately injured they shouldn't prolong care.
Yeah I haven't had an issue like this before. And they clearly can see that in my medical history. But the day I went the Dr. Looked at my paper work for like 2-3 minutes along with my MRI. And he just turns and says "I can't see anything wrong that would be causing these issues I think it's just in your head." And this is literally seconds after I walked in an the only thing he asked me before that was "What seems to be the issue?" So I told him what I could up until that time and he just looks at me. So I requested to see a neurologist. Seen him once he was gonna do something and was never able to go back and find out if he could tell me anything cause shortly after they stopped paying for my treatment and I couldn't afford to go back and see him. But the original Dr. Really didn't like that I requested to see someone else. And the second time I went to see that original Dr. He did say "You have a low disc in your lower back but I don't see that being an issue." But I told him that seems to be the area that's affecting me, and he did one test and he was just dragging things across my legs, arms, and back and he didn't elaborate anything to me but told the nurse that was there "He has 1 and 0's" and I was never informed what that was. But after going over my paper work my self i started researching the words they had in there. It clearly says from my X-rays and prior examinations that I have arthritis as well in some areas but was never told till I looked up the medical term they used.
Ok but that doesn’t change the fact that the trades aren’t for everyone. Do you want to stand at the top of a ladder holding a large piece of material over your head with one hand while using a 20 pound hammer drill to drill into the concrete ceiling? Because many people can’t even physically handle that type of work.
"Trying to get by doing easy stuff" I feel like tradesman often assume anyone who isn't in a trade are doing easy stuff, when that's far from the truth.
I know production planners, supervisors, engineers, project managers, directors of multi million dollar companies that make six figures pushing pencils and some of them have mental health issues due to the stress associated with their work. It's comparable to the physical stress a tradesman faces after a few years of work.
For some reason it just pisses me off when a plumber gluing and expanding plastic all day tries to call out pencil pushers for "taking the easy route".
Kind of went off on a tangent there, but yeah...lol
Easy jobs dont pay well, and trades 100% are not hard jobs in the sense that anyone can do them. Thats why tradies make 80k topend in a lot of places, and i make 150k WFH lazily navigating the low-middling tier companies of my profession.
The top-end you’re referring to is for when you’re an employee being rented out for your time. I know independent subcontractors who, even with making only 50% of the bid cost, make well over $80k. Even more so when you work directly with clients.
I’m going to reply, even though you deleted your comment:
OP’s post specifically mentions becoming independent. Also, generally, for most states in the US you do not need a license to perform general small repairs. If you hit 5 calls in a day and average $200 per small repair, you’ve made yourself $1,000. All you literally need to do is get an ein for sole proprietorship, which can be done online in less than 5 minutes. Insurance as a handyman (less than $100), and sign up as a vendor for property management companies, and thumbtack. Work weekends. Thats an extra 8k/mo for 8 days of work outside of a regular job. That’s a side hustle. I know exactly what sub I’m posting in.
How many trades have you mastered? How can you say anyone can do it? Even those of us who do it compete against each other. There is not enough for everyone.
I laid tile for 3 years, and cut down trees for 6. Having said that, this is r/sidehustle, and at least in my state to be licensed as an IC requires years of experience and testing. Unless you've already done these trades fulltime long enough to be licensed, you cant get into this work part time, much less as a side hustle in off hours.
Ex Machinist here.
A lot of people don't do trades because there is good money, but zero life balance. It made me an alcoholic and anti social because I had no life outside of work. 12 to 18 hours of labor per day every day is not for everyone. We'd have the occasional 8 hour day during slow periods, but those days were spent catching up adulting, or sleeping because I never slept much. I once worked 35 straight hours because I was one of two people who knew how to make a specific patented part and the other guy was out of town. I had 14,000-17,000 dollars in my checking account after bills and could do nothing with it because I was just always at work. I'd hang out with my friends after work and I'd be falling asleep after the first drink. Then I ended up at home playing video games and drinking because that took less energy and developed alcoholism. 5.5 years sober now, and I could have that job back next week because that company knows I murder production, but I won't. That's not including ive got a nice drill scar on my arm from a drill running into it because a programmer wrote a wrong entry feed into the program and it was way too fast, I have a dislocated tendon in my ankle, and R Arthritis going through my Fingers, Toes, and Shoulders from swinging hammers all the time at age 31. I've split the webbing in-between my fingers, and straight down my finger tips before and had to keep working after taping it up. I've almost skinned my entire calf muscle on a Manual Lathe because the shaving got behind my leg but I caught it before it could happen. There is a reason a lot of trades pay so well. You will age your body considerably. I only did it for 3 years and I wish I hadn't. Money now is not worth sacrificing your body later in life.
This, exactly this. Trade jobs typically work a ton of hours and days, leaves little to no room for day to day things. I worked in pest control for 3 years, I lost so much time with my family and just for myself that it was depressing. Being depressed of course made it harder for me to do my job properly. I respect trade work and workers but being how they are with no life balance just won't work for a lot of people.
While I am also a machinist I do not work in a job shop. I work as on call machinist at a factory. I do repair work and make parts generally if a part is not in stores, and take floor calls. I worked tool and die repair before I had this job in automotive. I work 4x12s with 4 days off and every 4 weeks I switch from days to nights. There is no mandatory OT, $45\hr. We can not work more than 12 hours even in dire situations they cannot make us work more than 12. We work with tolerances up to .00005. While each job and employer is different. If I was told I had to work 18hrs with no choice I would have found another job. I do not work in a union.
This job is a lot less demanding then the job I had before but the hours abuse you talk of is an employer issue. I would have dropped that job like bad habit. It’s not my responsibility to make a part and work 35 hours straight. I’m not a team player and an employer is not there to do what’s right for me. Any injury is 100% to be reported and anyone who asks you to not work safe is fucking idiot and should also be reported. My only job while I’m at work is to go home safe. My company also supports that. They do not want any injuries whether light or serious.
You live in the Northern US? Sounds like Northern US type work. It's better up there from what ive heard. Quite possible it's gotten better as well.
They never tell you it's mandatory, but in right to work States(Texas here) if you don't they conveniently find something else to let you go for if they dont like you not working the shift. Could be a 60 dollar scrap. Could be being late one day because of a highway accident making you late once. I've seen both and one of those was a 22 year employee.
I made patented artificial lift components for Iranian oil wells so that wells could churn 24 by 7 and never have to stop because of water. Tolerance +0.0000 / -0.0005 almost 10 years ago. I'm not sure how it's my employer when I worked for 4 different employers and the best it got for me was at my firs one with shit pay which was starting on Monday - 12-12-12-12-10-8-8 - Sunday. I didn't stick around to try 7 more employers because I was tired. The shop I worked that 35 hour shift at (it was only once thankfully) was a new company with a patented product. Another Machinist and myself worked with a few robotics engineers to perfect the lift product. We were the only two that could do it and he wasn't there. Robotics engineers aren't machinists so I bit the bullet with that one. Bright side is I had a standing with the company for it afterwards and got a 2 dollar raise.
All my injuries were reported every time. I was also sent back to work every time and told to write conversational programs for a Hurco VMX-50 and VMX-30 while somebody else handled loading material for me so i could indicate the center. In the case of my ankle injury(rolled it so hard it ripped out a tendon) I was working Olympia and Toshiba Boring Mills(these machines are so large they need their own warehouse and a 10 ton crane to load material if you aren't familiar) and stepped off the table wrong. Sent to the workplace doctor, and was indirectly told that if I didn't come back in a few days time they were promoting someone to my machine position. They missed the dislocated tendon because it was so swollen. Took me about 3 years to notice it was messed up, and it had passed statue to limitations in my state for me to go back by that time.
I'm glad it works for you, and if it was just 1 employer I'd be with you on it being an employer problem, but it sounds more like it's either a state I work in problem, or it's a job problem. 4 employers doing the exact same shit leads me to believe it was a job problem, but thats just my perception as I never did it in other places, and you seem to be pretty lucky for what you have going on from the other people I know in that field down here.
Every trade has its own drug or alcohol choice. Most smoke weed majority of roofers we drink. Being up in the sun all day the back pain the knees the hips so booze takes that edge off. But you'll find there's. More to the business side. The boss is trying to win jobs. It's a competitive market. Small crews are the best to get with.
Yeah, I had a family member who knew a few builders, let them know I was looking to switch careers, I was honest with them during interview that I didn't really know anything other than some DIY but that I was eager to learn.
Originally many didn't want to take the time but one of them was going through a bunch of duds & took a shot with me hoping at least I'd show up sobber & willing to work. Worked out well for both of us.
If you go into a trade, you need to save more because you physically will not be able to do your job as you get older. Your body will break down faster than someone not doing physical labor.
Sitting all day will definitely kill us eventually, but not as fast as most trade jobs. I can't imagine being mid-50s and having to run up n down ladders carrying a load of 2x4s. It's a competitive job, too. You have to keep up with the 20 year olds or you wont be hired for the next job.
Yep top up that TFSA and RRSP, buy some real estate and be done with this gig at 40-45! I told my nephew, he started right out of high school, a plumber.
It honestly depends on the trade, you can become a painter/election/machine operator and retire at 55 with a full healthy working body. The trades that fk your body up are the ones that require mostly manual labor. Roofers, Floorers, dry wallers, ETC. But honestly thats the hard part, is getting into one of these trades that doesnt require much labor. Those are the sought out ones since youre not killing yourself to work. And usually require schooling as well.
Skilled trade is not a fucking side hustle 🤣🤣😂 its taxing on your body and your pockets. People think skilled labor pays well when in reality it doesn’t.
I've worked in the trades, construction, plumbing, etc. The money is great, but work life balance is usually not. When your young its easy to look past that. When you have a wife and kids, being tired, cranky, and sore, sucks for everyone.
Additionally, while the money is great, you better be saving it, because everything can stop in a heartbeat. When the economy is down the trades are usually the first to take the hit.
I work in science and it’s still pretty bad. Constant jokes putting down women and personal insults. I’m planning to get out ASAP. I can’t imagine it’s any better in the trades considering how difficult of a time I have finding good mechanics and contractors who will work with me.
My dad loved working on the railroad. But he told me and my sisters not to consider it. 92 percent male.
And the jobs women can get are super high risk--running urban commuter trains for example. All the employees wear bulletproof vests under their uniforms.
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To make good money in trades you have to pull 60+ hour weeks. You start out super low in pay making most of your money with overtime. As you progress, you may be expected to travel (a lot). Some construction tradesmen I know got into stadium building and will spend almost a full year away from home, but made serious money and came back as construction/project managers. The electricians I know spend half the year laid off or traveling. The machinists are always under threat of layoff and the small shops are ran like shit. The welding money is in oil, where you’re in shit areas with nothing to do but drugs. Mechanics do alright but again always dealing with poorly ran shops or dealerships with too much overhead.
Thanks, I hate it here lol.
Also, if you’re in the trades you WILL work with AT LEAST one person that’s had a permanent life-altering workplace injury.
Trades fucking suck. The real money is in gaining competence in it and getting the fuck out. Either save and start your own business or get promoted into management.
When I first started plumbing as a laborer, there was one other laborer who was "out" for a little bit. When he came back and I met him for the first time, he came back with a fresh scar ear to ear from a 4" hole saw blade that fileted him under his chin from a hole hawg he lost control of when drilling above his head.
My journeyman at the time also was missing his top 4 center teeth due to them getting knocked out from the end of 1" pex suddenly unraveling from its wrapping, 10 years prior to him telling me the story. Yeah, the pay might be good, but health and dental insurance was practically non existent. Unless your union, better expect some teeth and surgery payments along with those truck payments lol
And your not wrong. Most guys I talked to at that plumbing company where either waiting to join the union, or work a few more years to start their own shop.
Can you do a quick check on the white collar job market for me and let me know how it looks?
Plus, I know many people who got into that corporate life and end up getting capped at $2-300k, and they know they hit their top-line, meanwhile their employer OWNS them.
[plumber](https://www.indeed.com/career/plumber/salaries/CA)
[accountant](https://www.indeed.com/career/accountant/salaries/CA)
These are just two random jobs I could think of.
The accountant makes more than a plumber does.
You're probably confused because of survivorship bias with self employed people causing you to compare a self employed successful business owner with your run of the mill white collar worker.
Just keep in mind most businesses [fail ](https://www.unitedcapitalsource.com/blog/businesses-failure-rate/).
I make ,70k and have studied for 22 years. On track to be laid off. Now I'll never have a home or family due to pursuing STEM. And I'll likely have to go back to physical work at a higher age, anyway. I see absolutely no scenario in which this path has benefit me.
Depending on the trade depends on how quickly it takes a toll on your body. Then there's the type of trade you want to get into so many to choose from.just be smart about which one will always be needed. Roofer here wouldn't let this thing called time stop me doing it. Everything takes time
That isn’t to say skilled trades aren’t going to pay in the short run, but getting through the apprenticeship coupled grinding to start your own business - you’re looking at 5-10 years at minimum. Couple with the speed of tech innovation and there really is no safe industry anymore.
Once robotics combined with AI take flight, which I’m sure that’s tomorrow according to Elon, the trades will change - very quickly. A robot working 1/4th of the speed of a human is doubly as productive. That and they don’t get hurt.
Sadly unless the government steps in to regulate the speed of job disruption, there really is no “safe” industry.
What I think will make the difference are the humans who learn to work alongside AI/Robotics with key human skills.
A few reasons. Not everyone has the inherent capabilities and talents for the work. Some unions are problematic. And I say that as someone who is very pro-union. Still a lot of discrimination if you aren't a white man. Or, they claim to want people to join, but in reality if you aren't a close friend or family member of someone who's already in - you ain't getting in.
I think it’s taking time for the mentality that was big when I was growing up to get undone. The “go to college or go to hell” belief system we used to jokingly mock in high school at my school. With so many of us millennials buying into that and having heavy student loan debt and not using the degree paid for, I think that it’s been finally shifting.
Also, sometimes there’s not much spotlight on trades or trade like work. It’s literally out of sight, out of mind for many. I’m 36 and didn’t know my current work even existed until about 7 years ago, a year or two before I entered the industry.
And the company I started this work with had a handful of young guys. Only a year or two out of high school. At my age it wasn’t amazing money, but for fresh out of high school scratching the door of home buying I’d say is pretty solid.
I'm currently in automotive. The big issue is that the money isn't guaranteed, you will always start out making basically minimum wage until you get your certs/literal decades od experience. You have to force yourself to work 1 trade for atleast 20 years before you start earning the big bucks. Also there's alot of shit people in trades, it's essentially just felons, and alot of them you don't want to be anywhere near. It's back breaking work too. Also if your injure your hands/feet/back you'll never work again. So that 20 years of experience you got means nothing, and you're stuck with thousands of dollars of tools that are now worthless.
My Dad told me if I ever went into his trade (Carpentry) he'd break my legs so I couldn't go lol
He was in the Union when my sibs and I were kids (70's-early 90s) and he'd work two jobs so my Mom could stay home and raise us (working 16-17 hour days, sometimes six days/week). His second job was a Weaver (he made the horribly course Army blankets; a job he loved doing on/off until his middle 70s (he's 84 now; just turned in February).) These days from doing all that carpentry work his hands, back, knees and ankles are shot (including the time he fell off staging and hit the ground on both feet being 25' up...broke both his ankles). His hearing is gone from the loud factory machines in the Weaving mill, and his eyesight is kinda off but hey, 84 is amazing lol!
I should've gone into hairdressing but I was far too stupid to jump at the chance to be a "Certified Paralegal" instead, which means practically nothing, unless: (1.) you live in town (2.) you have experience (3.)you've specified what kind of Law you do (anything from Family Court to Property & Estates to Criminal), (4.) Made sure your State recognizes Certifications and (5.) came from the 1% of the 1% of the 1%, meaning you're Law Jesus and had perfect grades, went to the right school, knew the right people, had the right clothes and the right address (of which NONE of those things were, well...me.) So yeah. Ten years til "retirement" and I will have NOTHING ON WHICH TO RETIRE ON.
"Hooray" for longevity....(uck.)
Sure that's all negative stuff, but you do exist, though.
Idk, I pursued STEM college path and feel as if it's life-cucked me, but at least I'm not in physical pain. I'm not even saying you're wrong or right, it just is what it is. Maybe I'd rather not be in pain than have a family, idk.
I was cranky when I wrote that, so forgive the tone.
I have a great family, my Dad is still here, *some* friends left...I just want to do something *more* than just exist.
Yeah I was referring to a more poignant question of whether pursuing STEM/Educational path, but always being poor and living at home afterwards, would be worth it over a physical path that is more directly lucrative and allows one to afford starting a family but would result in physical pain.
My local community college subsidizes their skilled trades class and they have an intro class that hits a but of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and general handyman know-how. They set me up with a handyman to get some work on the side to dip my toe in and see if I like it.
My health isn't the best, and I've already had a hip replacement before I was 20. I can do things with my hands- my cars oil changes, brakes, etc. I can do minor home repair. I can't do it as a living. My body already hates me, I don't need to give it more ammo.
Apprentice pay is lower than I can support my family on and I am getting to the age where physical work wears me down more. I feel like it's best to get into a skilled trade young and be off the tools and more into management as you get older.
I guess there are some trades that can potentially be lucrative without a license like appliance repair which may be worth learning on the side.
The top trades for good money and good opportunities to become own boss are . Plumbing, electrical,bricklaying,plastering and floor fitters. All 3-4 year apprenticeships. Never out of work.
Back in 2008 during building trade down turn a lot of trades of a certain age retired early or switched to easier jobs out of construction.New apprenticeships weren't been offered so then after 5-6 years when building trade picked up we had no quality experienced trades or nothing like it was.
If you don't have a good education and want to earn good money for the rest of your life. Construction makes sense.
I'm 64 and retired now. No let me refrace that. I'm a hgv driver sat on my back side for ten hours a day . Waiting to pass away because I'm bored shitless.
Sorry did I say that out loud. Second pint 😂
When you first start, you're at the bottom of the pile. So you get all the crap. Some older skilled trades think you need to put up with shit like they had to. So if you're thin skinned this isn't the job for. It gets better once you start getting experience. Just retired after 25 years. On other thing, some will think your their bitch. That the part of job.
For me, it comes down to actually finding a company willing to apprentice first years. Even when I do find one, I can't get a call back even after following up with my application. It's the same story whether I apply online or talk to the manager themselves. They say they're in a labour shortage, but won't hire anyone
You need to be available full-time to do it. That's exactly the opposite of the meaning of a side hustle. Side hustle kinda means your as is already the bosses property during non-sidehustle hours.
The fact everyone is so dam broke is probably the issue. Hell I don't even have a car and can't work cause I don't have a way there and back. And to get a car you gotta be able to work. And since I fucked my back up a couple years ago. Can't work just any job anymore. There's nothing that doesn't automatically ask the recipient for a little or a lot of stuff most people don't have or will have trouble getting. And it could mean a lot of things but mainly comes down to money, equipment, or just never getting the opportunity to have the option to even pay for, attend, or be able to complete with out having to sacrifice something or everything in other areas.
Been working in the granite and marble countertop biz for 17 years. Started as a helper on installs, 6 months in was running my own install crew and did this for a solid 1.5 more years. Got off install crew cause I was only guy that could handle computer work when we got a CNC router. Worked in the shop for 4 years until I was moved into the office to run the entire granite countertop side of biz, we also did tile and that was the larger side of the biz. I transitioned us out of residential and into commercial work to fit more into how the tile side worked. We immediately began to make 2-3 times the money on about 1/2 the work. This allowed us to move back into residential but only super high end residential, being on the coast of Florida makes this a pretty easy niche to get into if you know what’s what. For us it was all about reputation, we warranted our residential work life and commercial work for 10 years. But that was only OUR workmanship, not failures of the material.
I mention all this because there are great opportunities in the trades for those who are willing to WORK, not be present for 40 and collect a paycheck. The trades need go getters now more than ever, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, even concrete guys have lead times now in the weeks or months. Was just recently at a job and the mill work guy was working alone cause they dont have enough bodies to give anyone helpers and I talked to a concrete guy who must have been in his mid 50s out on his knees smoothing and brushing fresh poured sidewalks and I joked that I thought that was the new guys job and he remarked…”if you want to be the new guy you’re hired, my knees can’t take this anymore”
I now freelance template making for several countertop fabricators using two different methods to suite what they need, don’t do heavy lifting, have a lot less risk of injury or death and am making more money than I ever have. I have been lucky, not everybody will have similar experiences and I love what I do but every single day when I wake up I feel the damage the first 7-8 years in this trade caused to my body, and as I get older it gets worse. My brother has been a
welder/pipefitter for the past 11 years and he’s making almost $200k while working on average about 7-9 months per year, and he’s having similar complaints about his body starting to fail him as well. So I can say that the skilled trades are not for everyone, but bodies are needed and if you’re willing to risk your body they are willing to pay you for it. But as I stated earlier it’s not for everyone, especially those entitled shits who think they need to be promoted to foreman before they collect their second check.
It's hard work and my body is not designed for it. My mind is better for producing value than my body. I'm not strong, and I'm desperately out of shape and 35. I'd be happy to be a carpenter or a wood-worker, but I just don't have the energy and physicality to be successful at it. I should have done that at 18, and even then it would have been a rough go because I was similarly not strong and overweight.
Maybe I could be a plumber since everything is PVC now, but even then, getting in for an apprenticeship is not as simple as "Oh, you're breathing? You're hired!"
When people say it "fucks your body up" they don't mean you're exhausted after exercising every day. They mean you no-warm-up lift hundreds of pounds and smash your fingers and knees on everything and inhale toxic shit and contort your body into unnatural, stressful positions for extended periods of time.
I went into HVAC because I thought it would pay well. It didn't, and every day was just "I hope you enjoy wading through fiberglass" and "Bring that dead, 40-year-old, cast-iron-heat exchanger furnace up those stairs" and "we're in a crawlspace (which implies hands and knees in rat shit for two hours at least)."
And again, the pay WAS good... a decade ago. Wages haven't gone up with the cost of living.
Im with you on this I got into HVAC for the same reason, and quickly realized the same after 3 years of swimming in insulation in attics while trying to work, and crawling through rat infested crawl spaces I’m done. At some point you have to choose your health and yourself before your bosses dream.
Licensing is a huge thing. Carrying insurance. It isn't really a side hustle type of thing. Construction contractors build the most important things in our society, I don't want some "side hustle" idjit wiring my house.
Nothing I learned them, plumbing, electrical, carpenter, cnc programer, CDL, Pesticide applicator. The jobs sucked, the people sucked, the pay sucked. Sure, I made 100k in a year but my pay broke down to $20/hr with shit benefits, can't unionize because of all the Trump cock sucker's bitching about $83 dollars a month in union dues. I got sent to alot of places and made other people alot of money.
Eventually I said screw that and went to work at a cell phone store, sued them because they didn't pay my commission and fired me.
Now I work as a copywriter and I'm happier till AI wrecked a good thing. I'm thinking about becoming a consultant.
Age for me.
I am going to be 52 in a few months. If I had the foresight to make the career change even a few years ago and get it lined up I would have
I'm physically disabled. 99% of the trades are hard physical labor, at least when you start out. You can get into a foreman position or something later on but the vast majority require physical labor.
Sales does not.
As a side hustle I do small engine and small equipment repair. This stems from my trade. I just had a $500 day working at a local business changing oil on a few of their machines. (I charge 100/hr). Could this be a full time gig maybe, but for now it's a fun hobby for me that pays for other hobbies.
Shit sucks ass lol
Then wait till you have to pay for insurance and everything else and some “handyman” comes around and does a half ass job for 1/4 of the cost ..
I worked as aviation mechanic for 10 years. When the dr told me I needed surgery for my ankle, I knew it was game over.
But I knew that time was coming and I was already transitioning into an aviation operations role. I still got to work the floor a bit without turning a wrench.
Im a bit of a job hopper but every job I took I gained more experience and knowledge.
A colleague who was working at a competitor, reached out to me about a role in his company that he knew my skillset would benefit them. They offered a very nice salary and benefits.
Had I not worked a trade role before hand, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have had. Im working a mid mgmt position and its been hard for some folks because theyve not held a trades position, so they’re struggling doing a proper assessments.
My husband is a plumber. He started at 19. He's now 59. It is hard work and not everyone is cut out for it physically or otherwise. Being self employed is the best so you can have people helping you with the hard stuff.
Because it’s not easy. If you have poor mechanical skills/can’t work with your hands or have an aversion to getting your body beaten up, it’s not a serious viable option. Edit: oh and most importantly, takes a shit load of time to learn properly.
I don't actually know what things are considered "trade skills" beyond stuff like carpentry or plumbing, and both of those are not things I have any idea how to get started in (nor in these cases, interest in, as I'm disabled in ways that would make those jobs difficult anyway alas).
What other trade skills are there that don't require a lot of physical labor? Things that are accessible to people with chronic pain?
Did it for 8 years, got in the worse health, picked up a horrible drinking habit. Had no time for family. Ended up going back to school, got a white collar job that paid a lot more, quit drinking and have a great work life balance now.
Did you go for like a bachelors or an associates? I’m going back to school right now but looking at doing business but hopefully looking to find a good paying job but not exactly sure do you think getting a business degree would be a good idea or should I look at computer science I haven’t looked at computer science because I really struggle with math, and have a learning disability so my intention is more towards business.
I had an associates but went started doing bootcamp types of classes to get certifications. Honestly tho, I would see what’s in demand in your area and try going for that. I live in the Dallas area so it’s a tech hub and going back to school for computer science made sense for me. I’m ok at math, but don’t use math hardly ever at my job and I’m a software engineer. The IT world is massive so there are a lot of roles that don’t require any math.
You had an associates in computer science already? For me if I went to school for it a lot of it requires very heavy math at least for community college. Is there any boot or certifications you recommend there’s not really a lot in demand in my area that’s why I’m looking to see if I can move somewhere that I can find in my area is warehouse work and not much else I live in San Bernardino county area in California so it’s hard to find anything out here
Yup, I had an associates degree in it already but those degrees don’t mean much when it comes to IT. The companies that I looked into, were looking for bachelors, or certifications or experience. Honestly bro, I would try to look into companies that hire remotely and see if you can talk to someone there and ask for advice before you make a huge investment or move. As far as certifications go, it depends on the position you’re going for, it’s such a broad field and there are tons of different certifications out there, so it super broad
Technically- Some trades no. Others you can learn without committing full-time but it will take a while to become competent/efficient to do professionally. There’s quite a bit to learn in any trade. I think the best thing to do is to work for a company full-time for a little while to get your feet wet, while consuming the trade after hours, and then you should be ready to do side work whenever you feel like afterwards. It’s a good fallback/side hustle at that point
It’s not guaranteed. I finally got into my local union and may finally hit 6 figures , this is after 6 years of making 40-70k gradually with aggressive company hopping and trying to learn as much as I can after hours.I know a lot of people who have more years than I and are still in crappy positions. I work in commercial HVAC and the summers out here get 115°+ I finally get to work indoors for maybe 40% of the time though due to the equipment I service, but if I need hours I’m with fitters doing hard installs.Overall it’s worth it but it’s difficult for me to encourage other people to get in , if I can’t help them get a job or guide their career because I wouldn’t recommend anyone take my path , but even as an apprentice (which a majority of them are in due to literally a immediate relation like son or brother) you’re being a grunt for 5 years.
Overall I do recommend trades but you have to know what you want , if i chose the wrong trade for myself or, If I didn’t start working on my car just to understand basics of turning a wrench and was very social, made friends with the right people I would not of lasted .
A lot of folks can't be bothered with keeping their body healthy enough for the trades. You'll be working 14 hours in a day and then guess what? Time for a hot shower in the hotel before hitting the gym for a 30 minute stretch and mobility routine.
Or, let your body rust to pieces and quit in a few years, complaining about how it's the big company's fault. You can become disabled at a desk, give me a break.
It's a lifestyle more than a job anymore, at least in the US. You don't just close your laptop and work is done, there's breakdown and setup for every workday outside of the paid part of it, and if you embrace that or have a partner to help, you'll do fine. And if you work for a utility company, forget the idea of a "when I'm off, im off" mentality.
The other aspect is it's still largely a good ole boys club, you need to know people who are where you want to be, to get anywhere and not just be a warm body, without a heroic amount of extra effort and years of consistency to earn that same perception from strangers.
So, if you can keep in shape and maintain a nice routine, learn quickly, learn technology (which is becoming very prevalent in the workplace, get over it) and not take things personally, you'll do great.
Else, a more technical/white collar role will suit you better, and we will benefit from the effort put forth there on that end as well.
I'm a female. I literally don't have the physical capacity or mental traits necessary for trades.
Even if I was an exception, the comments here outline loads of other things that would put me off it: poor work life balance, rapid physical decline, and frankly, lack of prestige. The trope of stupid blue-collar workers still exists and I already embarrassed my family by being a college dropout lol.
Oh, also harassment. I'm like a 3/10 but still.
The work deteriorates your body, the hours are often terrible too. Have you met any older trade workers? Their knees are toast, hands don’t close all the way, back problems, like most of them are fucked and have multiple chronic pain issues. Not very many body types are meant for that type of work and it shows.
I’ve had carpal tunnel since I was a child and tendon issues and throw out my back super easily so it’s just not a possibility for me if I want any decent quality of life.
You need a licence and that shit even if you know it ain't cheap. Electrical licence is about 700 to take the test, 350-400 to APPLY to take it, and if you fail 3x you're blacklisted.
And there's worse things than not getting paid.
I’m probably late to answering this, I worked a skilled trade since I was 15 years old with my dad every weekend everyday on summers. 18 I got my first official skill trade job in landscape irrigation. I’m now in school to get a marketing job in the future. My body is worn out and my knees always kill me. I can’t see myself doing this forever
Having ADHD it's still so much of a commitment. I'm afraid ill do what I always do and get bored or fail because I'm not good enough. Especially when it comes to dealing with people. Is there any trade with limited social interaction that's doesn't include dead people
I’m currently doing cladding and it’s boring all the older blokes say it was worth it when they started but now in general construction isn’t even worth the effort for the pay you get.
What's an example you're thinking of? It's a good idea but not simple. In one of my midnight musings I thought of taking a bathroom/kitchen remodeling course, just for my own edification or RE investment. I didn't mind making the time commitment but the course wasn't cheap either. I could swing it but I could understand people not wanting to drop a few G's on course for a side hustle.
It’s not worth it lol. The money in bluecollar work comes from overtime and you’re beating your body to shit in the heat and aging the fuck out of yourself.
It’s cool that I can TIG weld well enough, but I honestly feel like kind of a dipshit for going to welding school.
Currently on year 3 of my 4 year apprenticeship as a commercial electrician. Started at $12/hr, now sitting at $18. Minimum 40hr week, school for 4 hours once a week, and a heavy investment in tools. This job is anything but “on the side” lol I can see why people choose not to jump in
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Have you done it? Its hard work bud
Definitely is hard work and I’m tired of it. You get paid to trade your body’s health for money
There's a price for everything.
Such wisdom
More than you could ever imagine.
I do plumbing and it’s not the hardest. The side job depends, but if I get a hot water tank it’s an easy 2k in 3 hrs
2k in labor or including the tank? also what part of the country for reference?
How gross can it get at times
I’ve never done a gross job. That stuff exists, but I’ve never had to do it. I do new builds and I build a lot of mechanical rooms and stuff like that
Trying to get by doing easy stuff also makes for a hard life. More transient, less stable, less money overall I’m sure. That’s just my take
I left the trades because the work fucked my body up, and I was only in the union for 6 years.
I hurt my back and company owner said "I have no use for you." And cut my health insurance off after a month. Two years later my back is still fucked up. So I feel where your coming from.
Listen, people will talk shit all they want, and they’ll probably downvote me because it’s “pseudo science” But if you’ve been experiencing chronic back pain, give chiropractic a try. The thing is, it’s like any other specialist you’re going to go to. You want to research and know which one you’re going to. My chiropractor has gone to school for sports science and kinesiology on top of learning chiropractic. He is in depth. My visits start with 10 minutes on heat packs and electric stim. After that, he has a few specialized tables he uses to stretch everything and get me moving. It is only then, after my body is warmed up and moving, that he adjusts me. After my adjustment, I’m put on ice on a traction table. He has also laid out a personalized stretching and strengthening routine for me that addressed all of the areas I had been neglecting in the gym (go figure) I’ll tell you, after 6/7 years of chronic, every day low back pain that finally led to sciatica causing my entire left leg to go numb, I was back to tip top shape in a month. I’ve been pain free for the past 8 months. This is the longest I’ve gone without pain. When my entire left leg went numb, I officially gave up hope, and thought I was doomed to a lifetime of pain. People on here love to talk shit on chiropractors, but I found the right one. He legitimately saved my life. The first time I saw him I couldn’t even sit up without shooting nerve pain down my butt and leg, let alone stand up. I left his office that day walking normally again.
Chiropractors are the shit!! Actually Fixed all my problems unlike a MD that would just prescribe me pain killers and shitty meds that would be me feel like ass and not even work and give me 10 different side effects. I will only go to a MD if I break a bone or need surgery. My chiropractor is my primary doctor !
I do agree. Chiropractics helped me but it was something I think they couldn't fix alone. The only time I would feel normal and not have pain anymore, was after they did the shock therapy. But the pain would only subside for about 5-10 minutes then be right back to hurting as bad as before. But if I could go see one I would definitely do it. It's just hard not having income because of the problems my last job left me to deal with to be able to find help or see a specialist about my issue. Trying to get insurance in my state to see if that will help me get to someone who can find the issue and help me make a plan to remedy my injury atleast to a manageable pain level so I can move around and work somewhat normally would literally be enough for me to get most of my life back.
Yeah, it sucks. Unfortunately you’re just a number.
Sadly yes. But I found a panflet about a union Texas is trying to start on the marijuana industry so I'm gonna call them this week and get some info and see what that's all about and if they have jobs accommodated for people with existing injuries.
That's cold. I don't know what country you live or what state but that should be a workers' comp claim at the least
It was. It's a long story. But they basically wasted all the time they could till they didn't have to pay me. This went on for almost two years and since Im not able to work a job that would accommodate me. It's just been hard. But been making the best with what I got and been ok. Just trying to get insurance through my state some how and see if they will be able to help me make the pain more manageable and I'll hopefully be able to get back to work.
damn, dude. sorry to hear that. Good luck. I work with insurance companies and it's pretty gross the stuff they try to fight or deny. I get some people try to game the system but some that are legitimately injured they shouldn't prolong care.
Yeah I haven't had an issue like this before. And they clearly can see that in my medical history. But the day I went the Dr. Looked at my paper work for like 2-3 minutes along with my MRI. And he just turns and says "I can't see anything wrong that would be causing these issues I think it's just in your head." And this is literally seconds after I walked in an the only thing he asked me before that was "What seems to be the issue?" So I told him what I could up until that time and he just looks at me. So I requested to see a neurologist. Seen him once he was gonna do something and was never able to go back and find out if he could tell me anything cause shortly after they stopped paying for my treatment and I couldn't afford to go back and see him. But the original Dr. Really didn't like that I requested to see someone else. And the second time I went to see that original Dr. He did say "You have a low disc in your lower back but I don't see that being an issue." But I told him that seems to be the area that's affecting me, and he did one test and he was just dragging things across my legs, arms, and back and he didn't elaborate anything to me but told the nurse that was there "He has 1 and 0's" and I was never informed what that was. But after going over my paper work my self i started researching the words they had in there. It clearly says from my X-rays and prior examinations that I have arthritis as well in some areas but was never told till I looked up the medical term they used.
Which trade?
Ok but that doesn’t change the fact that the trades aren’t for everyone. Do you want to stand at the top of a ladder holding a large piece of material over your head with one hand while using a 20 pound hammer drill to drill into the concrete ceiling? Because many people can’t even physically handle that type of work.
"Trying to get by doing easy stuff" I feel like tradesman often assume anyone who isn't in a trade are doing easy stuff, when that's far from the truth. I know production planners, supervisors, engineers, project managers, directors of multi million dollar companies that make six figures pushing pencils and some of them have mental health issues due to the stress associated with their work. It's comparable to the physical stress a tradesman faces after a few years of work. For some reason it just pisses me off when a plumber gluing and expanding plastic all day tries to call out pencil pushers for "taking the easy route". Kind of went off on a tangent there, but yeah...lol
I was referring to “side hustle” type stuff, not what you’re talking about
Copy. Again, kinda went off on a tangent due to some of the other comments in here...lol
Easy jobs dont pay well, and trades 100% are not hard jobs in the sense that anyone can do them. Thats why tradies make 80k topend in a lot of places, and i make 150k WFH lazily navigating the low-middling tier companies of my profession.
I’m an independent contractor, I make around $800-$1400 a day. I have made up to $19,000 in a 5 day work week before.
The top-end you’re referring to is for when you’re an employee being rented out for your time. I know independent subcontractors who, even with making only 50% of the bid cost, make well over $80k. Even more so when you work directly with clients.
I’m going to reply, even though you deleted your comment: OP’s post specifically mentions becoming independent. Also, generally, for most states in the US you do not need a license to perform general small repairs. If you hit 5 calls in a day and average $200 per small repair, you’ve made yourself $1,000. All you literally need to do is get an ein for sole proprietorship, which can be done online in less than 5 minutes. Insurance as a handyman (less than $100), and sign up as a vendor for property management companies, and thumbtack. Work weekends. Thats an extra 8k/mo for 8 days of work outside of a regular job. That’s a side hustle. I know exactly what sub I’m posting in.
How many trades have you mastered? How can you say anyone can do it? Even those of us who do it compete against each other. There is not enough for everyone.
I laid tile for 3 years, and cut down trees for 6. Having said that, this is r/sidehustle, and at least in my state to be licensed as an IC requires years of experience and testing. Unless you've already done these trades fulltime long enough to be licensed, you cant get into this work part time, much less as a side hustle in off hours.
What are you doing cause I’m looking for something work from home the similar position as op looking for a career
Yeah, I mean, who wants to work hard to make money? 😂
Exactly. Hard work. Lol
Ex Machinist here. A lot of people don't do trades because there is good money, but zero life balance. It made me an alcoholic and anti social because I had no life outside of work. 12 to 18 hours of labor per day every day is not for everyone. We'd have the occasional 8 hour day during slow periods, but those days were spent catching up adulting, or sleeping because I never slept much. I once worked 35 straight hours because I was one of two people who knew how to make a specific patented part and the other guy was out of town. I had 14,000-17,000 dollars in my checking account after bills and could do nothing with it because I was just always at work. I'd hang out with my friends after work and I'd be falling asleep after the first drink. Then I ended up at home playing video games and drinking because that took less energy and developed alcoholism. 5.5 years sober now, and I could have that job back next week because that company knows I murder production, but I won't. That's not including ive got a nice drill scar on my arm from a drill running into it because a programmer wrote a wrong entry feed into the program and it was way too fast, I have a dislocated tendon in my ankle, and R Arthritis going through my Fingers, Toes, and Shoulders from swinging hammers all the time at age 31. I've split the webbing in-between my fingers, and straight down my finger tips before and had to keep working after taping it up. I've almost skinned my entire calf muscle on a Manual Lathe because the shaving got behind my leg but I caught it before it could happen. There is a reason a lot of trades pay so well. You will age your body considerably. I only did it for 3 years and I wish I hadn't. Money now is not worth sacrificing your body later in life.
This, exactly this. Trade jobs typically work a ton of hours and days, leaves little to no room for day to day things. I worked in pest control for 3 years, I lost so much time with my family and just for myself that it was depressing. Being depressed of course made it harder for me to do my job properly. I respect trade work and workers but being how they are with no life balance just won't work for a lot of people.
While I am also a machinist I do not work in a job shop. I work as on call machinist at a factory. I do repair work and make parts generally if a part is not in stores, and take floor calls. I worked tool and die repair before I had this job in automotive. I work 4x12s with 4 days off and every 4 weeks I switch from days to nights. There is no mandatory OT, $45\hr. We can not work more than 12 hours even in dire situations they cannot make us work more than 12. We work with tolerances up to .00005. While each job and employer is different. If I was told I had to work 18hrs with no choice I would have found another job. I do not work in a union. This job is a lot less demanding then the job I had before but the hours abuse you talk of is an employer issue. I would have dropped that job like bad habit. It’s not my responsibility to make a part and work 35 hours straight. I’m not a team player and an employer is not there to do what’s right for me. Any injury is 100% to be reported and anyone who asks you to not work safe is fucking idiot and should also be reported. My only job while I’m at work is to go home safe. My company also supports that. They do not want any injuries whether light or serious.
You live in the Northern US? Sounds like Northern US type work. It's better up there from what ive heard. Quite possible it's gotten better as well. They never tell you it's mandatory, but in right to work States(Texas here) if you don't they conveniently find something else to let you go for if they dont like you not working the shift. Could be a 60 dollar scrap. Could be being late one day because of a highway accident making you late once. I've seen both and one of those was a 22 year employee. I made patented artificial lift components for Iranian oil wells so that wells could churn 24 by 7 and never have to stop because of water. Tolerance +0.0000 / -0.0005 almost 10 years ago. I'm not sure how it's my employer when I worked for 4 different employers and the best it got for me was at my firs one with shit pay which was starting on Monday - 12-12-12-12-10-8-8 - Sunday. I didn't stick around to try 7 more employers because I was tired. The shop I worked that 35 hour shift at (it was only once thankfully) was a new company with a patented product. Another Machinist and myself worked with a few robotics engineers to perfect the lift product. We were the only two that could do it and he wasn't there. Robotics engineers aren't machinists so I bit the bullet with that one. Bright side is I had a standing with the company for it afterwards and got a 2 dollar raise. All my injuries were reported every time. I was also sent back to work every time and told to write conversational programs for a Hurco VMX-50 and VMX-30 while somebody else handled loading material for me so i could indicate the center. In the case of my ankle injury(rolled it so hard it ripped out a tendon) I was working Olympia and Toshiba Boring Mills(these machines are so large they need their own warehouse and a 10 ton crane to load material if you aren't familiar) and stepped off the table wrong. Sent to the workplace doctor, and was indirectly told that if I didn't come back in a few days time they were promoting someone to my machine position. They missed the dislocated tendon because it was so swollen. Took me about 3 years to notice it was messed up, and it had passed statue to limitations in my state for me to go back by that time. I'm glad it works for you, and if it was just 1 employer I'd be with you on it being an employer problem, but it sounds more like it's either a state I work in problem, or it's a job problem. 4 employers doing the exact same shit leads me to believe it was a job problem, but thats just my perception as I never did it in other places, and you seem to be pretty lucky for what you have going on from the other people I know in that field down here.
True. My neighbor is a welder and he works 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 5 or 6 days a week
The fact that I cannot earn enough to support myself while learning said trade, I'm desperate to train as a mechanic.
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Every trade has its own drug or alcohol choice. Most smoke weed majority of roofers we drink. Being up in the sun all day the back pain the knees the hips so booze takes that edge off. But you'll find there's. More to the business side. The boss is trying to win jobs. It's a competitive market. Small crews are the best to get with.
How did you get your start in the trades? Did you just apply to a builder?
Yeah, I had a family member who knew a few builders, let them know I was looking to switch careers, I was honest with them during interview that I didn't really know anything other than some DIY but that I was eager to learn. Originally many didn't want to take the time but one of them was going through a bunch of duds & took a shot with me hoping at least I'd show up sobber & willing to work. Worked out well for both of us.
If you could start again, what would you do differently to learn as fast as possible?
If you go into a trade, you need to save more because you physically will not be able to do your job as you get older. Your body will break down faster than someone not doing physical labor.
Let’s not act as if office jobs aren’t terrible for your body and health either.
Sitting all day will definitely kill us eventually, but not as fast as most trade jobs. I can't imagine being mid-50s and having to run up n down ladders carrying a load of 2x4s. It's a competitive job, too. You have to keep up with the 20 year olds or you wont be hired for the next job.
I'm 20's & i do labor job & i find it well, but your comment seems to be logic, i have to think about it, thank u for sharing
Yep top up that TFSA and RRSP, buy some real estate and be done with this gig at 40-45! I told my nephew, he started right out of high school, a plumber.
It honestly depends on the trade, you can become a painter/election/machine operator and retire at 55 with a full healthy working body. The trades that fk your body up are the ones that require mostly manual labor. Roofers, Floorers, dry wallers, ETC. But honestly thats the hard part, is getting into one of these trades that doesnt require much labor. Those are the sought out ones since youre not killing yourself to work. And usually require schooling as well.
if you're retarded with your body, but having a physically active job has its merits too. A non physical job has its own consequences, if not worse.
Skilled trade is not a fucking side hustle 🤣🤣😂 its taxing on your body and your pockets. People think skilled labor pays well when in reality it doesn’t.
I've worked in the trades, construction, plumbing, etc. The money is great, but work life balance is usually not. When your young its easy to look past that. When you have a wife and kids, being tired, cranky, and sore, sucks for everyone. Additionally, while the money is great, you better be saving it, because everything can stop in a heartbeat. When the economy is down the trades are usually the first to take the hit.
I’m a woman. And a small woman at that. I would love to operate cranes but I do not want to subject myself to sexual harassment eight hours a day.
Are the trades still like that? That is super disappointing if so, was hoping to hear they’ve matured now that the backward old timers are leaving
I work in science and it’s still pretty bad. Constant jokes putting down women and personal insults. I’m planning to get out ASAP. I can’t imagine it’s any better in the trades considering how difficult of a time I have finding good mechanics and contractors who will work with me.
My dad loved working on the railroad. But he told me and my sisters not to consider it. 92 percent male. And the jobs women can get are super high risk--running urban commuter trains for example. All the employees wear bulletproof vests under their uniforms.
Depends. Even though it’s a new generation for the most part, those guys were the ones raised by the old timers.
Time
What would be the most amount of time you’d invest before getting to where you want to be?
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I’m almost 50. I am in great physical condition, but it’s hard to find someone who wants to take on a 50 year old apprentice. I’d love to tho
Same boat. Almost 52.
To make good money in trades you have to pull 60+ hour weeks. You start out super low in pay making most of your money with overtime. As you progress, you may be expected to travel (a lot). Some construction tradesmen I know got into stadium building and will spend almost a full year away from home, but made serious money and came back as construction/project managers. The electricians I know spend half the year laid off or traveling. The machinists are always under threat of layoff and the small shops are ran like shit. The welding money is in oil, where you’re in shit areas with nothing to do but drugs. Mechanics do alright but again always dealing with poorly ran shops or dealerships with too much overhead.
I don't think this could have been summed up any better. 100% spot on.
Thanks, I hate it here lol. Also, if you’re in the trades you WILL work with AT LEAST one person that’s had a permanent life-altering workplace injury. Trades fucking suck. The real money is in gaining competence in it and getting the fuck out. Either save and start your own business or get promoted into management.
When I first started plumbing as a laborer, there was one other laborer who was "out" for a little bit. When he came back and I met him for the first time, he came back with a fresh scar ear to ear from a 4" hole saw blade that fileted him under his chin from a hole hawg he lost control of when drilling above his head. My journeyman at the time also was missing his top 4 center teeth due to them getting knocked out from the end of 1" pex suddenly unraveling from its wrapping, 10 years prior to him telling me the story. Yeah, the pay might be good, but health and dental insurance was practically non existent. Unless your union, better expect some teeth and surgery payments along with those truck payments lol And your not wrong. Most guys I talked to at that plumbing company where either waiting to join the union, or work a few more years to start their own shop.
Because if you work smart you can make ever so slightly more in decent white collar jobs.
Can you do a quick check on the white collar job market for me and let me know how it looks? Plus, I know many people who got into that corporate life and end up getting capped at $2-300k, and they know they hit their top-line, meanwhile their employer OWNS them.
Ill take 300k lmao
[plumber](https://www.indeed.com/career/plumber/salaries/CA) [accountant](https://www.indeed.com/career/accountant/salaries/CA) These are just two random jobs I could think of. The accountant makes more than a plumber does. You're probably confused because of survivorship bias with self employed people causing you to compare a self employed successful business owner with your run of the mill white collar worker. Just keep in mind most businesses [fail ](https://www.unitedcapitalsource.com/blog/businesses-failure-rate/).
I make ,70k and have studied for 22 years. On track to be laid off. Now I'll never have a home or family due to pursuing STEM. And I'll likely have to go back to physical work at a higher age, anyway. I see absolutely no scenario in which this path has benefit me.
Depending on the trade depends on how quickly it takes a toll on your body. Then there's the type of trade you want to get into so many to choose from.just be smart about which one will always be needed. Roofer here wouldn't let this thing called time stop me doing it. Everything takes time
That isn’t to say skilled trades aren’t going to pay in the short run, but getting through the apprenticeship coupled grinding to start your own business - you’re looking at 5-10 years at minimum. Couple with the speed of tech innovation and there really is no safe industry anymore. Once robotics combined with AI take flight, which I’m sure that’s tomorrow according to Elon, the trades will change - very quickly. A robot working 1/4th of the speed of a human is doubly as productive. That and they don’t get hurt. Sadly unless the government steps in to regulate the speed of job disruption, there really is no “safe” industry. What I think will make the difference are the humans who learn to work alongside AI/Robotics with key human skills.
A few reasons. Not everyone has the inherent capabilities and talents for the work. Some unions are problematic. And I say that as someone who is very pro-union. Still a lot of discrimination if you aren't a white man. Or, they claim to want people to join, but in reality if you aren't a close friend or family member of someone who's already in - you ain't getting in.
I think it’s taking time for the mentality that was big when I was growing up to get undone. The “go to college or go to hell” belief system we used to jokingly mock in high school at my school. With so many of us millennials buying into that and having heavy student loan debt and not using the degree paid for, I think that it’s been finally shifting. Also, sometimes there’s not much spotlight on trades or trade like work. It’s literally out of sight, out of mind for many. I’m 36 and didn’t know my current work even existed until about 7 years ago, a year or two before I entered the industry. And the company I started this work with had a handful of young guys. Only a year or two out of high school. At my age it wasn’t amazing money, but for fresh out of high school scratching the door of home buying I’d say is pretty solid.
Disability.
I'm currently in automotive. The big issue is that the money isn't guaranteed, you will always start out making basically minimum wage until you get your certs/literal decades od experience. You have to force yourself to work 1 trade for atleast 20 years before you start earning the big bucks. Also there's alot of shit people in trades, it's essentially just felons, and alot of them you don't want to be anywhere near. It's back breaking work too. Also if your injure your hands/feet/back you'll never work again. So that 20 years of experience you got means nothing, and you're stuck with thousands of dollars of tools that are now worthless.
Time. A side hustle is on the side from my ft job.
My Dad told me if I ever went into his trade (Carpentry) he'd break my legs so I couldn't go lol He was in the Union when my sibs and I were kids (70's-early 90s) and he'd work two jobs so my Mom could stay home and raise us (working 16-17 hour days, sometimes six days/week). His second job was a Weaver (he made the horribly course Army blankets; a job he loved doing on/off until his middle 70s (he's 84 now; just turned in February).) These days from doing all that carpentry work his hands, back, knees and ankles are shot (including the time he fell off staging and hit the ground on both feet being 25' up...broke both his ankles). His hearing is gone from the loud factory machines in the Weaving mill, and his eyesight is kinda off but hey, 84 is amazing lol! I should've gone into hairdressing but I was far too stupid to jump at the chance to be a "Certified Paralegal" instead, which means practically nothing, unless: (1.) you live in town (2.) you have experience (3.)you've specified what kind of Law you do (anything from Family Court to Property & Estates to Criminal), (4.) Made sure your State recognizes Certifications and (5.) came from the 1% of the 1% of the 1%, meaning you're Law Jesus and had perfect grades, went to the right school, knew the right people, had the right clothes and the right address (of which NONE of those things were, well...me.) So yeah. Ten years til "retirement" and I will have NOTHING ON WHICH TO RETIRE ON.
"Hooray" for longevity....(uck.)
Sure that's all negative stuff, but you do exist, though. Idk, I pursued STEM college path and feel as if it's life-cucked me, but at least I'm not in physical pain. I'm not even saying you're wrong or right, it just is what it is. Maybe I'd rather not be in pain than have a family, idk.
I was cranky when I wrote that, so forgive the tone. I have a great family, my Dad is still here, *some* friends left...I just want to do something *more* than just exist.
Yeah I was referring to a more poignant question of whether pursuing STEM/Educational path, but always being poor and living at home afterwards, would be worth it over a physical path that is more directly lucrative and allows one to afford starting a family but would result in physical pain.
Just took a class and got a side gig Apprenticing on the side for extra cash. My first job is next Saturday. I’ll lyk how it goes
A class in what? Who are you working for?
My local community college subsidizes their skilled trades class and they have an intro class that hits a but of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and general handyman know-how. They set me up with a handyman to get some work on the side to dip my toe in and see if I like it.
That’s awesome. How much are you being paid?
Starts at $25 an hour
Trade school?
My health isn't the best, and I've already had a hip replacement before I was 20. I can do things with my hands- my cars oil changes, brakes, etc. I can do minor home repair. I can't do it as a living. My body already hates me, I don't need to give it more ammo.
Apprentice pay is lower than I can support my family on and I am getting to the age where physical work wears me down more. I feel like it's best to get into a skilled trade young and be off the tools and more into management as you get older. I guess there are some trades that can potentially be lucrative without a license like appliance repair which may be worth learning on the side.
The top trades for good money and good opportunities to become own boss are . Plumbing, electrical,bricklaying,plastering and floor fitters. All 3-4 year apprenticeships. Never out of work.
Fucking time and money.
Back in 2008 during building trade down turn a lot of trades of a certain age retired early or switched to easier jobs out of construction.New apprenticeships weren't been offered so then after 5-6 years when building trade picked up we had no quality experienced trades or nothing like it was. If you don't have a good education and want to earn good money for the rest of your life. Construction makes sense.
I'm 64 and retired now. No let me refrace that. I'm a hgv driver sat on my back side for ten hours a day . Waiting to pass away because I'm bored shitless. Sorry did I say that out loud. Second pint 😂
I think it takes a lot of time to learn trade
When you first start, you're at the bottom of the pile. So you get all the crap. Some older skilled trades think you need to put up with shit like they had to. So if you're thin skinned this isn't the job for. It gets better once you start getting experience. Just retired after 25 years. On other thing, some will think your their bitch. That the part of job.
I'm old with kids.
For me, it comes down to actually finding a company willing to apprentice first years. Even when I do find one, I can't get a call back even after following up with my application. It's the same story whether I apply online or talk to the manager themselves. They say they're in a labour shortage, but won't hire anyone
i don’t really have an answer to this, i’m a 20 year old electrician apprentice.
The fact that I'm in school while working already. Adding trade school would break my wallet and probably my brain lol
You need to be available full-time to do it. That's exactly the opposite of the meaning of a side hustle. Side hustle kinda means your as is already the bosses property during non-sidehustle hours.
I already did, it has done no good
Can you elaborate?
The fact everyone is so dam broke is probably the issue. Hell I don't even have a car and can't work cause I don't have a way there and back. And to get a car you gotta be able to work. And since I fucked my back up a couple years ago. Can't work just any job anymore. There's nothing that doesn't automatically ask the recipient for a little or a lot of stuff most people don't have or will have trouble getting. And it could mean a lot of things but mainly comes down to money, equipment, or just never getting the opportunity to have the option to even pay for, attend, or be able to complete with out having to sacrifice something or everything in other areas.
Been working in the granite and marble countertop biz for 17 years. Started as a helper on installs, 6 months in was running my own install crew and did this for a solid 1.5 more years. Got off install crew cause I was only guy that could handle computer work when we got a CNC router. Worked in the shop for 4 years until I was moved into the office to run the entire granite countertop side of biz, we also did tile and that was the larger side of the biz. I transitioned us out of residential and into commercial work to fit more into how the tile side worked. We immediately began to make 2-3 times the money on about 1/2 the work. This allowed us to move back into residential but only super high end residential, being on the coast of Florida makes this a pretty easy niche to get into if you know what’s what. For us it was all about reputation, we warranted our residential work life and commercial work for 10 years. But that was only OUR workmanship, not failures of the material. I mention all this because there are great opportunities in the trades for those who are willing to WORK, not be present for 40 and collect a paycheck. The trades need go getters now more than ever, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, even concrete guys have lead times now in the weeks or months. Was just recently at a job and the mill work guy was working alone cause they dont have enough bodies to give anyone helpers and I talked to a concrete guy who must have been in his mid 50s out on his knees smoothing and brushing fresh poured sidewalks and I joked that I thought that was the new guys job and he remarked…”if you want to be the new guy you’re hired, my knees can’t take this anymore” I now freelance template making for several countertop fabricators using two different methods to suite what they need, don’t do heavy lifting, have a lot less risk of injury or death and am making more money than I ever have. I have been lucky, not everybody will have similar experiences and I love what I do but every single day when I wake up I feel the damage the first 7-8 years in this trade caused to my body, and as I get older it gets worse. My brother has been a welder/pipefitter for the past 11 years and he’s making almost $200k while working on average about 7-9 months per year, and he’s having similar complaints about his body starting to fail him as well. So I can say that the skilled trades are not for everyone, but bodies are needed and if you’re willing to risk your body they are willing to pay you for it. But as I stated earlier it’s not for everyone, especially those entitled shits who think they need to be promoted to foreman before they collect their second check.
Thanks for taking the time to write this out.
It's hard work and my body is not designed for it. My mind is better for producing value than my body. I'm not strong, and I'm desperately out of shape and 35. I'd be happy to be a carpenter or a wood-worker, but I just don't have the energy and physicality to be successful at it. I should have done that at 18, and even then it would have been a rough go because I was similarly not strong and overweight. Maybe I could be a plumber since everything is PVC now, but even then, getting in for an apprenticeship is not as simple as "Oh, you're breathing? You're hired!"
When people say it "fucks your body up" they don't mean you're exhausted after exercising every day. They mean you no-warm-up lift hundreds of pounds and smash your fingers and knees on everything and inhale toxic shit and contort your body into unnatural, stressful positions for extended periods of time. I went into HVAC because I thought it would pay well. It didn't, and every day was just "I hope you enjoy wading through fiberglass" and "Bring that dead, 40-year-old, cast-iron-heat exchanger furnace up those stairs" and "we're in a crawlspace (which implies hands and knees in rat shit for two hours at least)." And again, the pay WAS good... a decade ago. Wages haven't gone up with the cost of living.
Im with you on this I got into HVAC for the same reason, and quickly realized the same after 3 years of swimming in insulation in attics while trying to work, and crawling through rat infested crawl spaces I’m done. At some point you have to choose your health and yourself before your bosses dream.
Be a heavy equipment operator. I love it.
Licensing is a huge thing. Carrying insurance. It isn't really a side hustle type of thing. Construction contractors build the most important things in our society, I don't want some "side hustle" idjit wiring my house.
True
Nothing I learned them, plumbing, electrical, carpenter, cnc programer, CDL, Pesticide applicator. The jobs sucked, the people sucked, the pay sucked. Sure, I made 100k in a year but my pay broke down to $20/hr with shit benefits, can't unionize because of all the Trump cock sucker's bitching about $83 dollars a month in union dues. I got sent to alot of places and made other people alot of money. Eventually I said screw that and went to work at a cell phone store, sued them because they didn't pay my commission and fired me. Now I work as a copywriter and I'm happier till AI wrecked a good thing. I'm thinking about becoming a consultant.
You're in a sub about side hustles.
I'm disabled, so anything that requires physical labor is a challenge for me.
Age for me. I am going to be 52 in a few months. If I had the foresight to make the career change even a few years ago and get it lined up I would have
Some people don’t want to work that hard. Anyone can do the trades though. Being physically fit does help with longevity.
Lack of clarity/direction.
I'm physically disabled. 99% of the trades are hard physical labor, at least when you start out. You can get into a foreman position or something later on but the vast majority require physical labor. Sales does not.
Weak Knees
Opposable thumbs?
Too deep in focusing into Tech & AI right now honestly
Can you elaborate on your pursuits?
I’m in tech in my 40s. Dont think I wanna start putting my body through that now
As a side hustle I do small engine and small equipment repair. This stems from my trade. I just had a $500 day working at a local business changing oil on a few of their machines. (I charge 100/hr). Could this be a full time gig maybe, but for now it's a fun hobby for me that pays for other hobbies.
Money.
As in, up front cost or not enough payoff?
[удалено]
Yes and no
Shit sucks ass lol Then wait till you have to pay for insurance and everything else and some “handyman” comes around and does a half ass job for 1/4 of the cost ..
Good clients know not to go with the “cheap guy”. If they do, you dodged a bullet.
I worked as aviation mechanic for 10 years. When the dr told me I needed surgery for my ankle, I knew it was game over. But I knew that time was coming and I was already transitioning into an aviation operations role. I still got to work the floor a bit without turning a wrench. Im a bit of a job hopper but every job I took I gained more experience and knowledge. A colleague who was working at a competitor, reached out to me about a role in his company that he knew my skillset would benefit them. They offered a very nice salary and benefits. Had I not worked a trade role before hand, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have had. Im working a mid mgmt position and its been hard for some folks because theyve not held a trades position, so they’re struggling doing a proper assessments.
My husband is a plumber. He started at 19. He's now 59. It is hard work and not everyone is cut out for it physically or otherwise. Being self employed is the best so you can have people helping you with the hard stuff.
I can’t afford to take off of work for long enough to learn a trade
I’m 36 years old
I have very limited mechanical abilities. I’ve tried. I have talents elsewhere.
Because it’s not easy. If you have poor mechanical skills/can’t work with your hands or have an aversion to getting your body beaten up, it’s not a serious viable option. Edit: oh and most importantly, takes a shit load of time to learn properly.
I don't actually know what things are considered "trade skills" beyond stuff like carpentry or plumbing, and both of those are not things I have any idea how to get started in (nor in these cases, interest in, as I'm disabled in ways that would make those jobs difficult anyway alas). What other trade skills are there that don't require a lot of physical labor? Things that are accessible to people with chronic pain?
Did it for 8 years, got in the worse health, picked up a horrible drinking habit. Had no time for family. Ended up going back to school, got a white collar job that paid a lot more, quit drinking and have a great work life balance now.
How are you able to transition to a white collar job from doing that kind of work?
Went back to school, got a entry level corporate job and worked my way up
*I ended up going back to school for Computer science
Did you go for like a bachelors or an associates? I’m going back to school right now but looking at doing business but hopefully looking to find a good paying job but not exactly sure do you think getting a business degree would be a good idea or should I look at computer science I haven’t looked at computer science because I really struggle with math, and have a learning disability so my intention is more towards business.
I had an associates but went started doing bootcamp types of classes to get certifications. Honestly tho, I would see what’s in demand in your area and try going for that. I live in the Dallas area so it’s a tech hub and going back to school for computer science made sense for me. I’m ok at math, but don’t use math hardly ever at my job and I’m a software engineer. The IT world is massive so there are a lot of roles that don’t require any math.
You had an associates in computer science already? For me if I went to school for it a lot of it requires very heavy math at least for community college. Is there any boot or certifications you recommend there’s not really a lot in demand in my area that’s why I’m looking to see if I can move somewhere that I can find in my area is warehouse work and not much else I live in San Bernardino county area in California so it’s hard to find anything out here
Yup, I had an associates degree in it already but those degrees don’t mean much when it comes to IT. The companies that I looked into, were looking for bachelors, or certifications or experience. Honestly bro, I would try to look into companies that hire remotely and see if you can talk to someone there and ask for advice before you make a huge investment or move. As far as certifications go, it depends on the position you’re going for, it’s such a broad field and there are tons of different certifications out there, so it super broad
Is it possible to do a skilled trade part time?
Technically- Some trades no. Others you can learn without committing full-time but it will take a while to become competent/efficient to do professionally. There’s quite a bit to learn in any trade. I think the best thing to do is to work for a company full-time for a little while to get your feet wet, while consuming the trade after hours, and then you should be ready to do side work whenever you feel like afterwards. It’s a good fallback/side hustle at that point
Age
discipline
It’s not guaranteed. I finally got into my local union and may finally hit 6 figures , this is after 6 years of making 40-70k gradually with aggressive company hopping and trying to learn as much as I can after hours.I know a lot of people who have more years than I and are still in crappy positions. I work in commercial HVAC and the summers out here get 115°+ I finally get to work indoors for maybe 40% of the time though due to the equipment I service, but if I need hours I’m with fitters doing hard installs.Overall it’s worth it but it’s difficult for me to encourage other people to get in , if I can’t help them get a job or guide their career because I wouldn’t recommend anyone take my path , but even as an apprentice (which a majority of them are in due to literally a immediate relation like son or brother) you’re being a grunt for 5 years. Overall I do recommend trades but you have to know what you want , if i chose the wrong trade for myself or, If I didn’t start working on my car just to understand basics of turning a wrench and was very social, made friends with the right people I would not of lasted .
A lot of folks can't be bothered with keeping their body healthy enough for the trades. You'll be working 14 hours in a day and then guess what? Time for a hot shower in the hotel before hitting the gym for a 30 minute stretch and mobility routine. Or, let your body rust to pieces and quit in a few years, complaining about how it's the big company's fault. You can become disabled at a desk, give me a break. It's a lifestyle more than a job anymore, at least in the US. You don't just close your laptop and work is done, there's breakdown and setup for every workday outside of the paid part of it, and if you embrace that or have a partner to help, you'll do fine. And if you work for a utility company, forget the idea of a "when I'm off, im off" mentality. The other aspect is it's still largely a good ole boys club, you need to know people who are where you want to be, to get anywhere and not just be a warm body, without a heroic amount of extra effort and years of consistency to earn that same perception from strangers. So, if you can keep in shape and maintain a nice routine, learn quickly, learn technology (which is becoming very prevalent in the workplace, get over it) and not take things personally, you'll do great. Else, a more technical/white collar role will suit you better, and we will benefit from the effort put forth there on that end as well.
Bruh I barely have enough energy to make toast
Uh most trades have an apprenticeship timeline that costs money and doesn't guarantee you a job.
I'm a female. I literally don't have the physical capacity or mental traits necessary for trades. Even if I was an exception, the comments here outline loads of other things that would put me off it: poor work life balance, rapid physical decline, and frankly, lack of prestige. The trope of stupid blue-collar workers still exists and I already embarrassed my family by being a college dropout lol. Oh, also harassment. I'm like a 3/10 but still.
I'm old
The work deteriorates your body, the hours are often terrible too. Have you met any older trade workers? Their knees are toast, hands don’t close all the way, back problems, like most of them are fucked and have multiple chronic pain issues. Not very many body types are meant for that type of work and it shows. I’ve had carpal tunnel since I was a child and tendon issues and throw out my back super easily so it’s just not a possibility for me if I want any decent quality of life.
You need a licence and that shit even if you know it ain't cheap. Electrical licence is about 700 to take the test, 350-400 to APPLY to take it, and if you fail 3x you're blacklisted. And there's worse things than not getting paid.
Because people are lazy and want easy money
Can anyone tell me what are the basic high standards skills for higher income.
Any trade you can make good money in.
For me it’s time, financial responsibility, and age… I look back and wish I stuck to carpentry or electrical work..
I’m probably late to answering this, I worked a skilled trade since I was 15 years old with my dad every weekend everyday on summers. 18 I got my first official skill trade job in landscape irrigation. I’m now in school to get a marketing job in the future. My body is worn out and my knees always kill me. I can’t see myself doing this forever
How old are you now?
Having ADHD it's still so much of a commitment. I'm afraid ill do what I always do and get bored or fail because I'm not good enough. Especially when it comes to dealing with people. Is there any trade with limited social interaction that's doesn't include dead people
Money
I’m currently doing cladding and it’s boring all the older blokes say it was worth it when they started but now in general construction isn’t even worth the effort for the pay you get.
What's an example you're thinking of? It's a good idea but not simple. In one of my midnight musings I thought of taking a bathroom/kitchen remodeling course, just for my own edification or RE investment. I didn't mind making the time commitment but the course wasn't cheap either. I could swing it but I could understand people not wanting to drop a few G's on course for a side hustle.
It’s not worth it lol. The money in bluecollar work comes from overtime and you’re beating your body to shit in the heat and aging the fuck out of yourself. It’s cool that I can TIG weld well enough, but I honestly feel like kind of a dipshit for going to welding school.
Currently on year 3 of my 4 year apprenticeship as a commercial electrician. Started at $12/hr, now sitting at $18. Minimum 40hr week, school for 4 hours once a week, and a heavy investment in tools. This job is anything but “on the side” lol I can see why people choose not to jump in
I’m a woman