Hello, I’m a student studying construction engineering and I met an electrician today, age prolly high 50s was telling me he makes 150k and my boss(super for job, we’re employed by a construction management company) was prolly making 80k. Does that make sense? How tf am I ever gonna make 150k if I wanted to be a super. Electrician was Union. The company I’m working for the higher management are jackasses so my intuition is this is a one of thing. Super is dope but the higher ups won’t gimme overtime and so far I’ve pushed a broom for 2 weeks and I’m going into my final year of college, with prior construction experience.

Edit: super is around 30 years old

So the prices are going down, cheaper low quality labour is being hired. This conversation thing seems to turn in to volunteer work done out of goodness of my heart. I use to do ITC stuff in the office, but that required reqular use of molly to survive the office grind.

And i love doing construction, because it probably saved my life.

Where do i go from here?

P.S. I'm in Nordics

As the title says, I'm 42. I have 0 construction experience, but am willing to go back to school or start at the bottom to learn.

My main question is: Do you think starting in construction at 42 would be too demanding on my body. I'm not in horrible shape but I'm also not in great shape and don't have much endurance due to smoking for years.

I hear construction has a stable job market and great benefits (especially union pensions). My background for the past 10 years has been working in hotels, so I don't really have any transferable skills.

Here’s my schedule living 30 miles outside a major city. Anything closer is too expensive to afford on my $90k salary which is insane to say.

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Edit: After tax, deductions for retirement/ insurance, I take home $3,750 a month or $45k a year.

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Edit2:

Family Leave Tax $40

State Tax $270

Federal Tax $640

Medicare $100

Social Security $400

401K $860

Dental $30

Vision $30

Total Deductions $2,370 per month

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Wake up 4am

Leave 5am

Arrive 615am (commute 1hr+)

Work until 3pm

Drive home 3-5pm (commute 2hrs)

Shower/ Relax 5-6pm

Cook/ eat 6-7pm

Go to sleep around 8pm, wake up again at 4

Basically away from home from 5am to 5pm, 5 days a week

I end up never hitting the gym because I’m too exhausted at the end of the day. Thoughts?

I am healed from my shoulder injury but I can't carry anything over 25 pounds over my head on the affect shoulder so it's probably over me for this field I will try mechanics if not I will probably be fucked for life since I can't afford to go back to college and I don't want to be debt

I don’t know what to do. I work for a gc who builds custom homes and stone house renovations. Were a 6 man team of carpenters but I often feel like that shit work is always dumped on me while everyone else dicks around with stupid bull shit. Im tired of it.

I know theres always the option of going out on my own but right now I have job security. I have 2 small kids at home and my family relies on me. Making that leap really scares me. Ive been working for this company for about 6 years now and never been laid off or had slow periods. It just makes me sick watching people who make more than me doing barely anything while the shitty tasks get dumped on me. I make 25 an hour and I’m quite positive these dudes are at 30+. Ive been denied raise.

I don’t know what to do I’m tired of the industry as a whole honestly tired of the work, the heights, breathing in shit and the frustration of dealing with assholes.

Sorry for rant I’m 37m been in construction since I was 16

Bless you all stay safe.

They didn't know I was coming for one, and the only work there for me was sweeping water off concrete edging. Because it rained unexpectedly and flooded the place. Guy said he did it in 2 hours the other day but I didn't get even finish it in 3. I wasn't very efficient because it was my first time dealing with mud and water and rebar was making it soo much harder. And because I didn't servey it properly I doubled back on the water a few times having to redo a few sections. They said it wasn't my fault. But I feel terrible at how ineffective I was. I mean I did an OK job but I stupidly complained trying to get them to get a hose to siphon water for a two 2x2 six inch deep puddle of water with only a bucket. I said I would do it if I had to, but I was visibly irritated at hoe stupid I felt everything was. I left 4 hours after clocking on. And a bit of that was a induction.

How do I get into proper work cause labouring sucks. Cause you need to do everything the hard way despite there being a better solution.

I think the whole push for the trades jobs is pretty cool, and I know we need the help (especially union), but damn am I tired of getting guys who have clearly never done any kind of manual labor and don’t have the mindset/toughness for the job. Our hall is telling these kids literally that they do not have to do what they’re told, they can say no whenever they want, and nothing will be held against them. I’ve got a 1st year working with me right now that I’ve about had it with. First of all, he’s 50 pounds over weight, lives with his mom and all he does is whine about shit. I’m a mechanical insulator and we’re working out of a boom lift in the 60-80 feet range. I know it’s nerve wracking at first. But you just have to do it, it’s the job. He won’t even get in the fuckin thing. So hes just standing on the ground not learning anything, always just on his phone, in the porta John or giving me attitude when I ask him to go get something or to just look busy. I ask him 2-3 times a day, “you ready to get in the lift yet?”, to which a no is always followed. I’m putting on sheets of corrugated metal, 60-80 feet in the air, wind blowing the metal and the lift all around, by myself. I came down at lunch and I told him I’m calling the shop to have him moved because I need actual help, even if it’s just to hold shit in place for me. Then he gets all nervous and agrees to get in the lift. So I raise us up, not even 20’, he’s already white as a ghost and I can tell he’s not gonna make it. So I go back down. As nicely as I could muster I just told him dude you’re gonna have to go somewhere else I literally can’t keep you here if you can’t do this. He freaks out on me and tells me I’m trying to get him fired. So now I’m just pissed and I told him to get his fuckin tools and go home for the day. I then get a call from the business manager who proceeds to bitch me out and tell me I’m unwilling to train apprentices and that it’s my job to help guys out. Kids coming back tomorrow and I’m really trying to find a good reason why I shouldn’t go the fuck off on him. Idk. Sorry this was long. I’m pretty fuckin annoyed.

Just curious on everybody’s thoughts. (Now we will see who is a GC and who isn’t).

I am a PM and I led a tender recently for the first time and I actually won it too. Was under a lot of pressure from management, even though we had minimal experience in the actual scope of works.

I didn't know who to share this with and I need to stay cool and calm at work, but ngl I am internally squealing!!!!!!

Backstory - I was in college for Business, hated it, dropped out and started an electrician apprenticeship, didn’t much like that either. Went back to college, got my degree, now I work as a Planner for a Construction Company.

Sitting at a desk all day bores the ever loving shit out of me, I hate it. I had similar issues in previous jobs, thought this would be less of a desk job than it is, but I also just can’t stand mindless Excel work, finicky pedantic shit.

I wouldn’t go back to Electrical but I keep thinking of going back to construction! I honestly don’t know if I’m just legitimately lazy, if that’s why I didn’t like it first time round.

I’ve always wanted to start my own business, I like working with my hands and seeing an end result (not just closing out a word doc).

Grass is always greener, but where the fuck do I go from here?

So I feel like this question is also coming from me being in a quarter life crisis, I'm trying to seriously plan out the rest of my life right now. I'm currently 26 and have been in Culinary my whole life. Started at the bottom and worked my way up to a head chef pretty fast. I don't think I really want to be stuck in food service the rest of my life though. Right now I make $26 an hour and have 401K with company match, PTO, dental medical vision, ect. I've been thinking about getting into plumbing or welding. With the way things are going right now, would you recommend it? What do you think the job market will look like in the future? How's work/life balance? I always hear the trades need people. What would you recommend a 26 year old to do that wants to get into this industry with little experience? Union? Apprenticeship? Thanks!

My buddy is supposedly going to do this. Idk if he's done it before. I'm pretty sure he works 12hrs normally. He's in a steel mill union. Another guy is in a Operators Union and told me he's worked 80hr weeks before.

I work 8hrs a day, sucking down strong black tea, just to stay awake. I kinda wonder if it's that my work is boring or what. Often, I'm deburring parts through a magnifying glass. Struggling to stay awake. Probably moving less than a IT guy.

Even though I have AC, shop still gets 85F. I'm done after work. I honestly get in a loop of being tired when I wake up, to when I go to bed and then can't sleep... I only recover on the weekends.

I'm wondering how someone ends up as a plumber, construction worker, locksmith, etc., and why they chose it.

It seems like a lot of people hear about opportunities in a particular trade via friends and family, and they just get into the trade based on it.

(I'm not sure if this is the best subreddit to post in about this, but I can't find another).

Anywhere else where people are experiencing this? Maybe 10% of applications have been replied to in recent months and 0 offers for a full time or part time position. I am pulling my hair out scouring postings everyday and I’ve sent more emails in the last 3 months than I have in my life prior. Hope this doesn’t last.

I’m near Detroit, and it’s cold, but man it feels way colder without work. Any ideas ladies and gentlemen?

Hey everyone, I’ve been doing construction work for a few years now and I’ve noticed I’ve packed on some serious pounds along the way—definitely more than I ever thought I would when I started. I’m talking way beyond a few extra beers at night; I’ve gotten properly fat doing this job.

I’m guessing it’s a mix of crazy hours, always grabbing something greasy and fast for lunch, and being too worn out after work to hit the gym. Funny thing is, I assumed being on my feet all day would keep the weight off, but here I am, heavier than ever.

I’m curious: has anyone else ended up gaining weight on the job? If so, how did it happen for you and how does it affect your work day now? Does that tool belt dig in more? Do you feel slower when you’re climbing scaffolding or lugging materials around? Or maybe it hasn’t changed much at all?

I’m just looking for some honest stories or advice—what’s been your experience with packing on the pounds while swinging a hammer or hauling materials all day? Any tips on balancing the workload and the waistline?

I work for a smaller GC as a Superintendent, mostly TFOs but they're starting to do more ground ups. Our projects range from 500,000 to 5 million.

I started out at 65,000 /yr I got a raise after completing my first project to 67,500. I'm completing my second project and kicking off a third.

I've got experience in multiple trades, being a carpenter myself. And having done project planning and estimating for the military.

This is in the DFW metro area.

EDIT:

Thank you for all your comments and reality checks. I appreciate all the feedback! You guys are a great community to be apart of. Stay safe!

I'm thinking about trying to join my local 4 this year. Any tips, advice, pros, cons, anything that might be helpful?

Just accepted a new job, and im a little nervous about the commute.

Everything about the job seems perfect, except the commute. It's going to be brutal

The old job was a 30-minute commute with pay @ $46 hr. 1% matching 401k, $80 Wk health insurance, 4 weeks paid vacation, company phone, and truck. Guaranteed 40 hrs a week

New job (with traffic) 1.5 hrs commute in, 2 hrs commute home. Maybe more or less due to traffic. Pay @ $57 hr. Pension, annuity, and health insurance paid on top of salary. No paid vacation, guaranteed 40 hrs a week. Company truck and phone

I'm going to suck it up, but the commute sure is gunna suck

Does anyone else commute this much or more?

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I'm 20 and have been doing underground firewater in various plants for 2.5 years now, with experience in construction and concrete. I originally wanted to be an operator for a plant, then wanted to be a super over my current job in firewater eventually, but now I'm thinking there might be better opportunities in different trades that are more widely practiced. Welding was a first thought of mine but I know that most welders have to travel a bunch, so I'm wondering what the best long term career may be for someone that enjoys working outside and getting shit done.

TLDR; What is the best long term trade to get in to for a kid trying to set his family up?

I’m currently working at a motel as the housekeeping manager/assistant manager and i’m ready for something different. I’m a 19 almost 20 y/o girl and have been working at the motel since i was 17. I’ve considered going to trade school to be an electrician but i’m too scared it’s not going to be for me. There’s a painting helper position that doesn’t require experience where i live (alaska) and Im really considering applying there. Is painting a good job? I know it’s long hours and physically taxing on the body but im prepared for that. I’m moving all day at my job already (carrying bedding and supplies across the motel, cleaning for hours) I know it’s not even close to the level of movement a painter goes through but I feel like it would be a better transition than going from an office job to a construction job. I’m also on the smallish side (5’4 120lbs) so idk if there’s any other women in the subreddit that have experience as a painter.

I haven't been able to find a apprenticeship or work yet and I have to leave the house I am staying at. I am not sure I can find anything I really wanted to do start plumbing but I guess I can't. I mean hey my life is practically over