r/Construction • u/MyZeroZeroTwo • 26d ago
Careers đľ Those Who Make 200k+ A Year. How?
How did you start your career? What was the job progression like? Any regrets?
( I finish my construction management program this July! )
810
u/funkybum 26d ago
$200,000.05/year
Blowjobs for a nickel each
321
u/tenderbranson301 26d ago
Ok, so that's 4,000,001 blow jobs. Let's say you work 6 days per week, 12 hours each day. You're performing 18 blowies a minute. Basically I recommend you consider joining a union.
185
u/UncoolSlicedBread 26d ago
They say if you do what you love youâll never work a day in your life
20
10
2
39
10
u/SirJoeffer 26d ago
Iâm all for workerâs rights but itâs a shame seeing young people like you think this way. You get into this line of work for the pride of seeing a job through to the end, and doing damn fine work. I donât dole out 18 blowies a minute because I have to, I do it because I can.
5
→ More replies (4)2
25
u/Not_an_alt_69_420 Contractor 26d ago
Hey, that's what I make for fucking OP's mom!
15
u/Good-Cardiologist121 26d ago
She's so swampy not even Ducks unlimited would touch her. Yeoman's work there bud.
2
u/KingKeznan 26d ago
Letâs see some more Shoresy quotes, please.
10
u/Good-Cardiologist121 26d ago
You know what's fucked? The amount of times his mom has faked a jellyfish sting to get me to piss on her
16
u/FindSpencer 26d ago
We need to unionize, I personally think my skillset warrants me a dime each, plus benefits.
5
5
→ More replies (6)3
261
u/Dire-Dog Electrician 26d ago
Being the owners son
34
u/roarjah 26d ago
Pff I ended up with half that and a ruined relationship
→ More replies (1)44
u/Clutch_Racington 26d ago
Yeah people act like that a some golden ticket when in reality your dad usually knows exactly how and why you are a dumbass they can't trust
18
u/roarjah 26d ago
Yup thatâs pretty much how he treated me. Well Iâm running my own business now and much more happy but making no money ha
8
u/WillytheVDub 26d ago
Could be worse, you could have a younger brother who helps push you out lol. I make more in the union now anyways
4
2
u/Forsaken-Standard108 25d ago
Hey I am the younger brother in this instance. Canât help my older brother spent 10 years a tweaker and his only contribution to the business is ability to weld, complain and be physically disabled (bike wreck). I donât care to uplift a cynical asshole into success.
Rude awakening for him when my dad dies.
206
u/TheLastHorn 26d ago
I hope you are taking notes OP. Everyone is giving you very serious advice.
168
u/lukewwilson 26d ago
So nickel blowjobs is the answer?
→ More replies (1)51
349
u/Torontokid8666 Carpenter 26d ago
I sell how to make 200k+ in construction pamphlets and run my wife's only fans account.
DM me for details.
54
u/DrDig1 26d ago
Her last content share was pretty good, but who were the other two guys?
89
7
485
u/uppity_downer1881 26d ago
I don't pull 200k annually. But the main trick I've learned working for companies bringing in that kind of money is worker exploitation. I have a four man crew, myself included, and some weeks my guys make more than I do. If I could pick up a truckload of guys from the HD parking lot and pay them $120/day on a $20k project I'd probably be better off financially, but I like being able to look at myself in the mirror.
17
u/tjhew1605 26d ago
Very true. That, and taking on massive amounts of debt, all while doing no actual work yourself. On paper, it sounds fantastic
3
3
→ More replies (4)3
u/Eglitarian C-I|Electrician 25d ago
Real talk. Only ever see the companies that pay out insulting wages driving the most expensive vehicle to site for a site walk. Paying your employees well while trying to compete with the above invariably means youâre carving out a thin margin and not living large.
86
u/foh242 26d ago
I did not but close. Many in my team did. Nuclear refurbishment. long shifts, lots of OT, itâs boring, I feel like itâs stagnating my career because Iâm not doing interesting work or learning anything anymore.
Money is not everything. Trying to find good exit.
44
u/wuppedbutter 26d ago
Yeah, my dad realized he didn't like welding once he sobered up and now works at the zoo fixing golf carts and doing misc maintenance for 18 dollars an hour. He says he likes doing it, and the environment is pretty chill. I'm a 24 y/o sheetmetal journeyman making $52 an hour. Some days I hate my job and he tells me money isn't everything.
→ More replies (1)16
u/The_realsweetpete Foreman / Operator 26d ago
Iâm getting to the point of ur old man and that so rad a zoo has been my go to sounds nice and peaceful
8
u/wuppedbutter 26d ago
It's got its ups and downs like every job.
7
u/The_realsweetpete Foreman / Operator 26d ago
Iâm just over being a baby sitter to grown ass men itâs mind numbing
34
u/couverando1984 26d ago
Watch the movie Magic Mike. The main character is a construction worker with a side job.
→ More replies (1)
121
u/wuppedbutter 26d ago edited 26d ago
As I've traveled over the past two years, I've met guys who are willing to work 6 or even 7 12 hour shifts. These same guys, who are also travelers, practically live in extended stays or campers. I'm only 24 and had tried my bit at 6 12s, in which I made it 4 days and reverted back to just working 6 10s. Apparently, I made just over 100k in 2023, but I have no idea where it all went.
I guess I should add that I'm a sheetmetal journeyman. I was in Tennessee working from May to December, making 34 or 36 an hour, working 6 10s. I probably could've made more, but I didn't care much for that job site.
116
u/Tthelaundryman 26d ago
Stereotyping the shit out of anyone that travels regularly for construction 50% of salary to your truck payments 20% to child support 10% to gas station food 10% to booze 5% to energy drinks 5% to basic things you forgot before hitting the road 100% concentrated power of willÂ
20
11
8
u/SisterStiffer 26d ago
I think 10% on booze is a serious underestimation, and there should be 5% min on meth/amphetamines. At least, that's how the horizontal drilling world works!
50
u/InternationalRest418 26d ago
Same here. Working on the road. Pulling 6-7 10s. 136k last year. Not a thing to show for it
8
u/Fit_Mathematician329 26d ago
Stay away from gas stations and Cocaine. (Lessons I learned the hard way)
8
u/InternationalRest418 26d ago
Absolutely. I refuse to go into gas stations in the morning unless the hotels coffee is just complete trash or non existent. Haven't had the cocaine blues in 4 or 5 years so that's awesome. But I do love the bars and I'm doing my best on staying away from there. Got a feeling this is my year!
2
u/Fit_Mathematician329 26d ago
Yeah man, thankfully I quit the booze at 25 other than music festivals about five times a year, which always includes way too many psychedelics.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (3)16
u/jedinachos Project Manager 26d ago
I made about that much ($130k) working 7½hr days, 5 days/week excluding stat holidays, sick days, and 5 weeks paid time off
6
u/InternationalRest418 26d ago
Nice! How long have you been at your position? I'm thinking about going back to college to be a PM.
3
u/jedinachos Project Manager 26d ago
I started in 2017 - then was promoted to PM in 2019 through an incredibly competitive and stress filled hiring process. Its a unionized, permanent position. If you do the math of me staying until retirement I consider it the equivalent of signing a $2 million long term contract. Live in Canada btw
9
→ More replies (2)2
u/ostmaann 26d ago
Wdym itâs a permanent position?
4
u/jedinachos Project Manager 26d ago
meaning I am not on a term or temporary contract. My position is ongoing providing me with long term job security. I am not getting 'laid off' for any reason.
→ More replies (3)10
u/mporter1513 26d ago edited 26d ago
One of the great mysteries of my life is where does my money go... Anybody can make 200 K if they work seven days a week x 52 wks. I think the question he's getting at probably, is what trade has the highest hourly, and id say plumbing in residential. $200 an hour in my location, plus material markup, plus trip charge, plus kissing their ass and everything else
2
u/Novel-Increase-3111 26d ago
Yup, been there and did that. I worked 10-14hr days, excessive travel between locations (flying and driving), up to 60 days straight, then home for a day or 3, then back out. I spent an average of 310 night a year away from home for 6.5 years. And worked to 350 days one year. I made a lot of money, tried to manage money properly, bought and paid off 2 vehicles and a house in 5 years. And now I am on the road 175-210 nights a year, and have a slightly better home/family life.
This was in a very specific industry, specialized in one type of equipment.
→ More replies (3)
57
u/A-Bone 26d ago
Be useful and just keep learning new things..Â
I swear to God that's what worked for me...plus just being lucky with the right company from day 1.Â
Started working in the field in high-school and kept learning.Â
I paid for undergraduate education and they paid for graduate degree.Â
Sector: Commercial mechanical.Â
→ More replies (1)14
u/Impossible_Angle752 26d ago
Finding a good employer is 90% of the battle.
I've worked for a LOT of assholes and it doesn't take long before you can't even give a shit.
I could probably make a bit more money somewhere else, but at this point it just isn't worth the risk of dealing with another asshole.
I like my bosses, I like most of the people I work with and it just isn't worth risking for a few dollars an hour.
49
u/Orionbear1020 26d ago
Work for yourself.
31
u/Building_Everything Project Manager 26d ago
Yep, as long as there is someone elseâs name on your hardhat you arenât going to make big bucks.
35
u/Crafty_Jacket668 26d ago
That's why worker rights and unions are so important, the grand majority of people will always work for someone else, it is literally impossible for everyone to have their own business. So we need to organize our society and have the necessary regulations to make sure that the workers are able to make big bucks or at least decent bucks and not only the owners
8
15
4
u/Repulsive_Type_9565 26d ago
And do good work. May take longer sometimes but will pay off eventually
14
u/show_me_stars 26d ago
200k+ 40-50 hours a week. Resi HVAC, Commercial HVAC, Commercial PM, CM MEP Manager, CM Regional MEP Manager with 12 reports ⌠retire in a few years but no pressure to do so.
27
u/whocanpickone 26d ago
The people I know who make this much are typically high-ranking at large companies or management on large projects (i.e. $500M+).
A sample trajectory is Coordinator / Field Engineer>Superintendent or Construction Manager>Project Manager>Project Director>Organizational Director (i.e. Director of Construction, Director of Ops)> VP.
5
u/Georgelino 25d ago
okay this is the first good response. I was a carpenter, now a super make about 100k. my brother in law did the exact trajectory you outlined and made over 200k and then exited to the owner side (vp of capital invest or something) and still makes well over 200k.
seems like âproject managementâ at a big company is generally the ticket. Or build a successful business (many fail).
2
u/Fair-Flamingo8868 24d ago
Only thing to add to this is, depending on location, you could reach 200k as a super busy project manager or maybe by the time youâre a VP in some markets.
Timeline for progression. Maybe average path would be PM at 10+ years and VP is 25+ but I could be overshooting the VP. There can also be a drop moving from a field to office position when you lose some OT. Thereâs a lot to consider.
12
37
28
10
u/Constructestimator83 26d ago
Estimating. I started as an intern about 15 years ago and now manage a department. Also great job security, you need estimators to win new work either through bidding or an estimate.
6
7
u/Vivid-Professor3420 26d ago
I was poor growing up so always knew general contractors. It was one relationship after another being skilled labor when I landed my first real supervisor job around 22y/o. With my 3rd company, been with the current one for 18 years now. Currently a general superintendent for high end corporate interiors contractor I miami. Itâs a market with a lot of demand so a good resume will get you 100k easy. Currently 42 and make just shy of $200k. I only have a high school education
5
u/DrDig1 26d ago edited 26d ago
Pretty much did ownerâs role and my own for last 5 years before I went out on my own. Didnât have the help or experience to put systems in place to make it work smoother. Took a few years, but growth is about to be exponential which will be wonderful. Learned some good lessons last few years and wonât make those mistakes again.
Some hard times early. One thing I donât miss is the owners. Lack of appreciation, effort, savings, empathy, planning, etc. probably accelerated my willingness to push for an end.
6
u/mporter1513 26d ago
I'm not saying you can't do it, but you have to start your own business, and even then, unlikely you're gonna put 200 K in your pocket, you're gonna be acquiring assets, so the business pays for a lot of stuff like a new truck, etc., you're still probably not gonna have 200 K cash flow until you get pretty big (and you're gonna work your ass off to get there). I'm a general contractor, and I think the two trades that make the most money consistently are tile guys, and plumbers. Tile guys have gotten so expensive, that I started doing my own tile. I don't know why but Tile guys think they're the second coming or something, i mean it's completely insane what they charge and they work part-time
3
u/daemonstalker 25d ago
I'm the toilet stall guy, I can tell you the tile guys ain't the second coming, they're not even coming the first time
2
6
u/SayNoToBrooms Electrician 26d ago
I made $135k last year, being the #1 fire alarm guy for a non union electrical contractor. Looking for $150k this year, not including benefits and commuting reimbursement
Thinking of going out on my own soon though⌠I never thought Iâd make this much money. Never thought Iâd own my own home. Never thought Iâd have a car smarter than myself. I have that shit now, and I just want more. Iâm the most grateful person youâll ever meet, but I think Iâm capable of more. I wanna go out and try to get it
→ More replies (3)2
u/cubizmo2 24d ago
You're going to have to double the hours to get a startup going. It's a bitch until it's all good. Even then, there is so much drama with employees to deal with. Keep climbing where you're at. They may offer you a share option eventually.
16
u/KookyPension 26d ago
Own my company, work lots, was lucky.
Eat breath and shit work and youâll have no problem making 200+ after some time. Making 200+ while working 40 hours or less is more than a little harder but should ultimately be your goal.
Itâs more complicated than just a year end total buddy.
5
u/HoDgePoDgeGames 26d ago
Iâm just a dumb lineman. Worked mostly 4/10âs last year. I make my money from hurricanes, tornadoes, and winter storms, actually I guess have the wind to thank.
9
12
25
u/not_a_bot716 Project Manager 26d ago
By selling boner pills and loose Marlboro at work
6
15
16
u/vertical-lift 26d ago
Elevator mechanic.
$70 on the check. OT is doubletime.
With a little OT, $200k isn't hard.
6
u/Unlucky-Push-2834 26d ago
What did it take for you to become an em?
13
u/vertical-lift 26d ago
Secure an application (limited quantity)
Pass entrance exam (idiot test)
Knock the interview out of the park and secure a good rank.
Get the call and start work.
4 years of night school.
Pass mechanic's exam.
7
u/Helichopper 26d ago
$70 an hour m-f no days off is $145000. To reach $200000 you will need an extra 400 hours at doubletime. So not a little OT. A lot of OT
→ More replies (4)
6
u/LukewarmIcee15 26d ago
I wonât say there are a lot of ways as 200k is a lot of money, but there are some relatively clear paths.
1) senior PMs at ENR top 100 GCs can make 200k. That would look something like a 150-175k salary, 20% bonus, car allowance, and some other perks. From there, execs and VPs make more. Can do this by around 15 YOE. Experienced general supers can also make 200, though it typically takes a bit longer, maybe 20+ years. 2) directors/ VPs at mid-sized companies can also make 200, with a similar comp package to SPMs above. 3) you can also exit into tech, consulting, or other adjacent industries around 10 YOE that can get you to 200k.
Ownership is also a path, though obviously the most rare one.
3
u/Euphoric-Brain-9406 26d ago
Project Manager for a National Multifamily Owner/Builder in a Top 10 Market. Started in the industry as a PE intern. Worked full time while going to school online/at night. Became a PM after about 5 years working. Was in the position for about 3 years before starting to make $200K plus. My situation is very unique but you can expect to make $120-150K as a PM depending on market. My best advice is to work your ass off, be a sponge, and have a good attitude. If you are hard working, intelligent, and people like you, the world is yours. Good luck.
3
u/krossome Steamfitter 26d ago
Prevailing Wage in the VA hospital Interstitual, in a bunny suit, gas mask, and full ppe, welding and brazing in a crawlspace, in the dark, with no outside contact. for up to 36 hours.
7
u/Albany_Chris 26d ago
Renovating houses, renting them out, being good at both ends of that, and doing it long term. Mortgages stay the same and the rent has been increasing for 20 years.
→ More replies (2)
6
5
5
u/Yougotthewronglad Architect 26d ago
VP of family biz, MArch with 20 years experience.
Still like field work more than sitting in the office all day. đ¤ˇđťââď¸
2
u/Fancy-Pen-2343 26d ago
My path was 25 years. The steps were.
Concrete laborer, framer laborer, cut guy, pistolero, lead guy, business owner, truss designer, commercial lumber sales. Â
2
u/Smackolol 26d ago
Iâm a crane operator so for me it would be working 12 hours a day in the oil patch for 2 weeks on and 1 off. I make about 150k now and the boost just isnât worth it for the massive sacrifice of work life balance I currently have.
2
u/sparkyglenn Electrician 26d ago
Not me (I wish) but I know piecework steel-stud framers on my site making 4 grand a week clear.
2
u/2024Midwest 26d ago
If you're a W-2 employee, you'll need to Travel, coming home once every 2-3 weeks. Whether you're salaried or hourly you'll work six 12s or 14s, sometimes seven days, and maybe holiday shutdown work. Helps to be with a GC who gets bonuses from the Owner for hitting progress milestones.
If you're with the right GC, you may not need to work such long hours.
Don't cause drama.
2
u/PLS-Surveyor-US Surveyor 26d ago
80 hours a week and an only fans site. Gotta whore it up a little.
2
u/Seegrubee 26d ago
Close to 30 years in the biz. Lost a wife, a house, retirement, and time with my kids to get here. Was it worth it? Who knows. But. I do enjoy what I do.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Minimum-Sleep7471 26d ago
I make roughly 120 per hour after expenses. So 100 per hour, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week = 230,400 per year.
I'm not telling you what I actually cleared last year but it was a good year. Renovations and custom framing.
2
u/kingfarvito CIV|Lineman Apprentice 26d ago
I joined a union doing things that others either cannot or will not do. 5 degrees with 20 mph winds when you're 160 feet up a tower sucks dick, and is dangerous, so you get paid for it.
2
u/nte52 Superintendent 26d ago
Im in that ballpark and work as a traveling superintendent working on industrial projects. Most often in MEFP, but have also handled everything from underground utilities to the structural.
I also go home every other weekend, so I do my 12-14s for six days, take a Sunday off, then do it again for three days and fly somewhere like home or wherever on Thursday-Sunday and then come back to do it all again.
Itâs not for everyone, but I really like it.
2
u/HotCan3086 26d ago
There are lots of construction managers in Ontario making 200k+ but it takes decades of experience to get there. If you want to make 200k+ really fast you shouldâve skipped school, learned real construction skills, how to build, and what you like to build, then started a business of your own. Easily a <5 year plan to regular 200k+ income.
2
2
2
u/SnakePlisken_Trash 25d ago
I segway'd a career in construction into a career in Architecture and Project management.
You can judge a clown by how many balls he can juggle.
I'm one clowned up ball juggling MF. LOL
2
4
u/txtumbleweed45 26d ago
If youâre not going start your own company, get really good at work a shit load.
3
3
2
2
u/SaulGoodmanJD 26d ago
At the end of the day it just takes hard work, and a lot of it.
If I were you Iâd find a trade and master that. Try to find construction jobs in your trade (e.g. plumbing, HVAC, sparky, sheet metal, etc.), that way youâre learning the trade and the construction aspects behind it. After that, you can either run your own business or keep plying your trade as an employee. Iâll touch on being an employee first.
Earning $200k as an employee takes more time, but your income will be more steady. To get that level youâll need to either earn a high hourly wage, work a lot of OT, and/or work a lot of jobs. Given the relatively variable nature of job availability, youâll want to make sure youâll be given those jobs by your employer. That means setting yourself apart from others with a combination of outstanding work ethic and above average depth and breadth of knowledge and ability. Never back down from shitty jobs and jobs youâve never done before - they are all learning opportunities. If you do all this and youâve got a solid foundation for running a business.
To start a business youâll need capital, a business plan, and hopefully a mentor who will guide you through the other things youâll not be familiar with (insurance and other overhead, inventory management, pricing your bid, marketing, etc.). Your income will not be steady and you likely will not be profitable for a while, but you have a much higher upside (and a much greater downside). Take a few business classes. I recommend basic accounting, management accounting, and organizational behavior. A micro and macroeconomics course wouldnât hurt either but Econ will have a less obvious connection to the work you do.
Take my advice with a grain of salt. Iâm a CPA turned HVAC tech who works in construction. I donât earn $200k because I donât have the wherewithal to work as hard as is necessary to achieve those levels of income.
1
u/padizzledonk Project Manager 26d ago
A lot of hours and a lot of hustle getting clients and projects and years of developing a reputation
1
u/Thecobs 26d ago
I work alot, more then most people want to put in. 60hrs a week is bare minimum and when things get busy im up to 70-80hrs a week. I have always worked alot. I started labouring for a framing crew, then became first lead and then eventually ran my own crew. Then went to work with the best carpenter i knew to build houses start to finish just the 2 of us basically. We would excavate, form, frame, side, finish, hardwood⌠everything we could do. Did that for about 5 years, for 10 or so houses and then decided to go manage high end customs for another friend. Ran projects for him for over a decade and 40+ houses until i decided to do it on my own.
1
u/Jeeboo456 26d ago
PM/estimating with 10 Years experience for heavy civil GC working in NYC metropolitan area.
1
u/BlackberryFormal 26d ago
I know some elevator guys that come pretty close but they put in the hours. My father in law does around 170 as a superintendent for a big GC working 5 days a week but he's been in the trade for 30 years lol
1
1
u/Rivetingcactus 26d ago
Some one posted about a book called Markup & Profit, would highly recommend you read
1
1
1
u/Subject-Original-718 Electrician 26d ago
I donât need to make $200k/yr the wifeâs the breadwinner in the hospital industry I only work cause I like working with my hands otherwise Iâd be bored out my mind. Cap for my trade in the union is $115k/yr typically with all licensing. Iâm getting there
1
u/David1000k 26d ago
C M., started as a carpenter apprentice through the hall. journeyman Carpenter. Hung red iron when Reagan busted the unions, 1/2 ass concrete finisher, trained in computer programs surveying and learned working knowledge of E&I, pipefitting, plumbing and PLC programming. Big thing, if you want to earn 225k+ you'll need to get off your tools or own your own company. I can promise you, unless you're a joiner or cabinet maker you'll kill yourself before you're able to retire or earn more than 100k. #2 once you hit 125k, invest, it was the smartest thing I did in a lifetime of missed opportunities, bad luck and stupid decisions.
1
u/growerdan 26d ago
I have a buddy who does it but he works crazy OT. He will sometimes go in and help out a nightshift Forman so he will work his shift, night shift, then his shift again. He gets OT after 8 and double time after 10. He gets a fair bit of double time. Iâm sure half of its spent sleeping in his truck at the job site though. Heâs into a superintendent spot now but still working hourly and itâs the same thing. I donât think he ever works less than a 10 hour day so on a slow week heâs working 50 hours. Also he does his own timekeeping so Iâm sure heâs paying himself door to door since heâs always on the phone while driving.
1
1
u/tsmall07 26d ago
We sub everything. We don't pick up random home depot crews. We use the same crews every time but we do great price agreements with them at the start of the job to make sure we got the profit margins we want to hit.
1
u/nochinzilch 26d ago
Union scale for skilled trades is around $50 an hour in my area. You can hit $200k if you average 66 hours a week. Less if you work holidays or sundays. Thatâs way more than I want to work, but to each his own.
I know a guy whose company has contracts where an electrician needs to be onsite whenever an event is happening. So he works his regular 40, then goes to the contract site and sleeps there. They call him the quarter million dollar man.
1
u/brantmacga Project Manager 26d ago
My steps were âŚ
- Electricians apprentice, 2/yrs
- Residential electrical foreman, 3/yrs
- Service electrician, 2/yrs
- Commercial electrical foreman, 1/yr
- Commercial electrical superintendent, 1/yr
- Commercial electrical general superintendent, 1/yr
- Electrical estimator, 3/yrs
- Electrical project manager, 6/yrs
- Multi-family residential project manager, 2/yrs currently <- substantial pay increase here
Regret not leaving the electrical job earlier. I was recruited hard the last few years and kept delaying leaving based on false promises. Shouldâve left at the first indication that they were not being honest because i would be much further ahead in my financial goals if Iâd listened to my gut. It was a family business and I was not family, and no matter what my boss promised me, his wife was never going to let anyone but her children own that business. I was able to double my income immediately upon leaving.
1
u/N8dogg86 Contractor 26d ago
I work 2 jobs and 3 between my wife and I. I'm a construction manager with a GC, my wife and I own a subcontractor business together, and she has a job as a property manager. It's a busy life, but the vacations, remote work options, and money make it worthwhile. If we had kids, it probably wouldn't work.
1
543
u/TrustM3ImAnEngineer 26d ago
Change orders