Need to hire experienced weldor/fabricator

[brandon75173]

I am needing another hand that is able to read prints, solve real time problems onsite, and able to fabricate everything from handrails to beams and columns. Must have experience running 6010 and 7018 and either be D1.1 certified or have to the ability to become certified soon after coming on with us. We handle alot of aspects of metal work. Everything from misc architectural jobs, erection/fabrication for buildings, and structural retrofits. Pay is $12-$16 per hour depending on experience. We are based out of the Wylie area and 95% of the work is done in the DFW area. If you are interested, please call Brandon at 469-212-6487.

[welderdan]

good luck finding anyone with that kind of pay:laugh:

[WelderBoy]

good luck finding anyone with that kind of pay:laugh:

Maybe that's why he had to branch into forums to find employees...

[zapster]

$12-$16 per hour depending on experience.

I make more than that when I'm :sleeping:

...zap!

[TozziWelding]

$12-$16 dosent even start my truck, let alone get me to put a helmet on.

[MicroZone]

Let's be reasonable fellas. Without knowing the type of work, area of work, location, etc. this is probably their budget at the starting level for a helper and/or weldor. We all had a starting point at one time or another. :)

[zapster]

Let's be reasonable fellas. Without knowing the type of work, area of work, location, etc. this is probably their budget at the starting level for a helper and/or weldor. We all had a starting point at one time or another. :)


He's not looking for a apprentice(sp)
He wants experience..

Experience costs $$$$$$

And thats that...


...zap!

[WelderBoy]

He's not looking for a apprentice(sp)
He wants experience..
Experience costs $$$$$$


I agree. And I know that the Dallas Fort Worth area pays experienced CERTIFIED welders a lot more than that. It's one thing to hire inexperienced welders welding light gauge manufactured offices together or toys/cheap furniture with wire but not for certified structural, steel erection with stick.

I don't want to bash, but I have a real problem with contractors and employers in general underpaying employees and saturating the jobs with underpaid employees by underbidding jobs. :rolleyes:

[MicroZone]

I agree you should pay someone what their worth but let's be realistic, it doesn't happen all the time. Most employers, around here, have a probationary pay scale. Once they see you're worth the money that they will actually pay you, you move up the scale.

Zap - I'm pretty damn sure you're worth 80-100 per hour in the open market but do you get paid that...no. If you were working for yourself, which you may soon very well be, you could ask for that pay scale all day long. ;)

Here, brandon is simply asking for someone who has run some stick and has the aggressive attitude, perserverance and patience to possibly move up and get certified...is that alot to ask? Here in NY, someone would be lucky to get 10 - 14 an hour ...geesh!

[weldrwomn]

$12-$16 is about the going rate around here for welders

[olddad]

I am needing another hand that is able to read prints,

(1)Print reading isn't always available in High School, so there's a good chance this individaul has already invested in a welding career.

solve real time problems onsite,

(2)The only way you learn how to solve problems on site is by being there, he is asking for an experienced welder with this request.

and able to fabricate everything from handrails to beams and columns.

(3)He is asking for a versitile welder here with experience that on a multiple crew job would land him a crew leader position.

Must have experience running 6010 and 7018 and either be D1.1 certified or have to the ability to become certified soon after coming on with us.

(4)The key words here are "or soon after"...read that as soon as we can arrange the tests. He is asking for a D1.1 certed welder or one that can pass the tests without training (experienced).

(5) As for the pay, he states that the low scale is $12 and the "top out" is $16...no other mention of raises or bonuses, no mention of any other pay plans at all.

We handle alot of aspects of metal work. Everything from misc architectural jobs, erection/fabrication for buildings, and structural retrofits. Pay is $12-$16 per hour depending on experience. We are based out of the Wylie area and 95% of the work is done in the DFW area. If you are interested, please call Brandon at 469-212-6487.

Do you still see this as an opening level position ? I sure don't, it takes YEARS to get experienced and once there you don't want insulted by that pay scale.

[WelderBoy]

Do you still see this as an opening level position ? I sure don't, it takes YEARS to get experienced and once there you don't want insulted by that pay scale.

I agree, and I like the way you broke it down like that.

[MicroZone]

So, what you're saying is that the pay scale he's offering is if they can't read a print, solve a problem or run a stick? That's a general laborer here...hahaa! That pays $8 - 12 an hour in NY.

Sorry but those are basics for ANY job. From a McDonald's worker all the way up to a CEO. If you can't read, write or run-a-stick (arithmetic), you're in trouble. :)

[olddad]

How do you get Readin', wRitin', and aRithmetic outta that ?

[WelderBoy]

MicroZone. If you can't read prints and can stick weld but not good enough to be certified and only have minimal experience with limited welding situations, that is the pay someone should get. Apprentice level. The guy is asking for Journeyman++ level welders and offering apprentice pay. There is a gray area, it isn't black and white.

There are plenty of welders I work with who can't read prints, are not good at problem solving and are only good enough to put a "good enough" weld (with wire) on one type/thickness of plate steel in 3 positions without obstructions and difficulty accessing the weld. They get paid at the bottom of the scale. $16/h. As they progress and are able to work in tighter spots, weld in difficult locations, put down consistent welds, multipass welds that pass X-ray, weld curved steel, weld in blind situations, read prints, notice a problem that needs to be fixed and know how to fix it instead of just welding it where it lies and thus it having it fixed later, reading blueprints, weld different processes like wire, stick, tig etc... they move up in pay and eventually become a Journeyman level welder.

[welderdan]

here in my part of the state, an experienced welder will get 22 to 25 singlehand, and rig welders are making 50 to 60, so yes 12 to 16 is a little on the low side, especially in dfw

[brandon75173]

Havent checked this thread in a while. Apparently it isnt quite as professional a forum as I previously thought.

Zapster, thought you as the arch duke whatever, would be more mature, obviously not.

For the rest of you...............Depending on experinece, how hard is that to follow? $12 per hour would be for someone with little experience and had room to grow. $16 per hour is the going wage for someone that is a good hand to show up to a site and push rod. I have spoken to several foreman locally that are making $16-$18 and NO drive time. Which I always pay one way. Also, I didnt mention growth potential, because there are several things that I would speak to them on the phone about.

I do not care to have any of your less than constructive posts. I know what the market is locally. If someone needs work, they can feel free to call me and I would love to go over details. If any of you think you can make $20+ per hour, by all means go do it. I might pay you that after you prove yourself, but not right off the bat.

Microzone, your 2nd post is dead on. I am glad someone understands that I am not here trying to get over on anyone. You know how many days a week I buy lunch for everyone, buy 2-3 dozen gatorade, hand out cash for someone that really trys hard?

For the most part, you folks can kiss my A-S-S.

Brandon

[WelderBoy]

For the most part, you folks can kiss my A-S-S.


K. Wash first. http://www.steelheader.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/soapbox.gif http://www.steelheader.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Mooning-Smilie.gif http://www.steelheader.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/butthead.gif

[littlefuzz]

Better than what I started out at ($7/hr) at a local fab shop and no benefit at all.

[David R]

I have been watching this one. It looks to ME that you want the best guy around for not the best pay. NO mentions of going over $16.00 per hour. No mentions of bennies. Maybe you do take good care of your employees, maybe not. I just read the ad. "A real time problem solver" is a manager.

David

[Bob Warner]

Brandon,

I live right up the street from you. I have unfortunately seen MANY posts on Craigslist and other places that offer even lower rates than you are offering.

I would suggest that you do the following:

Explain what level of blueprint reading you need.
I personally can usually figure out what is wanted but I do not know they welding symbols that tell me what to do as far as welding.

I can build darn near anything but I am not certified and do not know what it would take to get certified and would need to study up on stuff to get to a position that I felt good about saying I "Could" get certified. If a raise would happen after the certification was complete, state that.

Are there any benefits?

Benefits can offset a portion of salary.

Don't get upset, the people here are proud of their work and abilities and want to see higher salaries, that is all.


Bob

[zapster]

Havent checked this thread in a while. Apparently it isnt quite as professional a forum as I previously thought.

Zapster, thought you as the arch duke whatever, would be more mature, obviously not.

For the rest of you...............Depending on experinece, how hard is that to follow? $12 per hour would be for someone with little experience and had room to grow. $16 per hour is the going wage for someone that is a good hand to show up to a site and push rod. I have spoken to several foreman locally that are making $16-$18 and NO drive time. Which I always pay one way. Also, I didnt mention growth potential, because there are several things that I would speak to them on the phone about.

I do not care to have any of your less than constructive posts. I know what the market is locally. If someone needs work, they can feel free to call me and I would love to go over details. If any of you think you can make $20+ per hour, by all means go do it. I might pay you that after you prove yourself, but not right off the bat.

Microzone, your 2nd post is dead on. I am glad someone understands that I am not here trying to get over on anyone. You know how many days a week I buy lunch for everyone, buy 2-3 dozen gatorade, hand out cash for someone that really trys hard?

For the most part, you folks can kiss my A-S-S.

Brandon



Edit..

I'm not getting involved..

...zap!

[zapster]

Zapster, thought you as the arch duke whatever, would be more mature, obviously not.


Now that I think this over and over again..
All I mentioned is that I make more while :sleeping:

If you have a problem with that then...
You can kiss my *** instead..

Have fun with the parade of no-heads you will encounter coming thru your door..:laugh:

...zap!

[brandon75173]

Brandon,

I live right up the street from you. I have unfortunately seen MANY posts on Craigslist and other places that offer even lower rates than you are offering.

I would suggest that you do the following:

Explain what level of blueprint reading you need.
I personally can usually figure out what is wanted but I do not know they welding symbols that tell me what to do as far as welding.

I can build darn near anything but I am not certified and do not know what it would take to get certified and would need to study up on stuff to get to a position that I felt good about saying I "Could" get certified. If a raise would happen after the certification was complete, state that.

Are there any benefits?

Benefits can offset a portion of salary.

Don't get upset, the people here are proud of their work and abilities and want to see higher salaries, that is all.


Bob

Bob, I hear where you are coming from and appreciate your wording and approach. Quite simply here is why this thread bothers me. Every one of you could have just as easily shot me a PM asking to clarify vague areas of my post, concerns over pay, or anything else. That didnt happen. Many of you took "pot shots", killed any serious attempt at me seeking out help, and did nothing but bring negative vibes.

I dont know how many of you own your business. Meaning more than you and your rig. I mean, pay workers comp for your guys, hold GL, Umbrella, commercial auto policy etc. More importantly understand the margins of a young company that has to be low bidder and do perfect work to earn new business. Its easy to say that people should be paid $20+ an hour, I simply cant do it. Not wont, cant.

As with anything in business, situations are always negotiable. If the right guy came around, I would pay him $18 per hour. Which is absolutely above scale for this area. Do I want as much out of an employee as I can get? For sure. Do I reward people after they have proven themselves? Without a doubt.

Its always easy to stand up on a soapbox. But unless you are coming from a position similar to mine, you dont have a clue about the what and why.
Putt everything you have in the world as leverage to try and build a business, not be able to make your own personal bills due to the business, and then come tell me I am the crook. Go punch your clocks, cast your wayward opinions and have a nice day.

[zapster]

Maybe its just real life in diffrent parts of the country..I dunno...

One must realise here that we don't pull punches..
We tell it like it is...

I'm way above "pot shots"...

Reality is a hard deal sometimes...
And in all reality..
What your offering...
Around here anyway...
For 2$ less you can have a job asking...

"You want fries with that"

Think about it...


...zap!

[MicroZone]

Sorry fellas, I'm going to agree with Brandon on this one. Until you've run your own business, struggled, starved for a few weeks, just barely made ends meet...all in an effort to run and own your own business, you pay what you can pay.

So, for all those who can do one better, I challenge you to this. List your clock job, what you get paid per hour before taxes and how long you've worked there. I think you will soon see, his pay is not far off.

[olddad]

Well, 20 something years ago there wasn't much going on in my area. I took a job in a high-end pressure vessel foundry, $14 an hour to start with full bennies in 90 days. Fast forward 9 years. $24 an hour, still full bennies at the same place. Doctor tells my wife I have to get out of there or she'll be planting me. I welded on all the exotic stuff plus the critical, Dr made her believe it was killing me fast. OK...within the next 6 months it was either D-I-V-O-R-C-E (as Loretta would say) or get out of there and start over. Well, I'm not dead and don't know if I would have been but these last 10 years have been long ones. I haven't been able to keep a job over 2 1/2 years since. I always seem to catch the companies at a bad time...LAY-OFF...2 of them have closed and gone overseas and a 3 one is struggling bad after trying to screw their best customer out of hundreds of thousands of $$. I haven't taken a job since the foundry with a START of less than $16 an hour and bennies. The only job I've left volunarily in the last ten years was CAT which was an out of town job, 250 miles away. Wife's Father was diagnosed with cancer, it tore him up pretty quick and we buried him. Less than a year later her Mother had a major stroke and required full care which my wife gave. Less than 6 months after the stroke they diagnosed her with cancer. Again it worked fast, wife was losing it so I gave CAT my notice and turned in the keys to my rental room. We buried her at about 6 months after my coming home. When I did come home I had to take a job without bennies but the starting wage was $18 an hour. That is the company that screwed over about 123 of us when they lost their best customer by trying to screw them. That was in January and I haven't held a "real" job since. I now work for local contractors when they need a extra hand (I was in new home construction and remodeling before I took up welding) as I'm handy to have around. I also do a lot of welding on the side. When I'm not busy and the weather is fair I'm at a place we bought last spring. Cleaning our investment up, dropping trees and digging out them blasted rootballs. Wanting to get a legitimate one-man weld shop going but the wife's gotten cold feet on me so she's dragging them...lol. ALL my jobs since 1985 have been welding jobs, I welded before that and fairly well but didn't work as a welder until then.

Well John, there's a fair list for you on your challenge. The last 10 years haven't been great but that's entirely due to personal circumstances. We had a "oops" 12 years ago and she will be raised here or we'd already be in better waters making the kind of living my experience is worth. Say what you wish but I'll not raise my daughter in or anywhere near a city. The rural way of life is what ALL my kids have known and my youngest will also.

[denrep]

able to... read prints, solve real time problems onsite, and able to fabricate everything from handrails to beams and columns... Everything from misc architectural jobs, erection/fabrication for buildings, and structural retrofits.

Brandon, Maybe it's time to rethink your business model. Your wage is not enough to pay a high producing person; yet is too much to pay a low producer.

Can the hourly wage! It's history.

Build a rapport with many weldors. A true fair give and take, long term working relationship. Have them "bid" the various jobs as they are interested in them. A flat rate, all inclusive price. By not paying for idle inefficient hourly labor on lean jobs, you can handsomely reward high yield work. The jobs that are tough to get takers for, can be an early warning of a pitfall. Workers can pick and choose the jobs they want to do.

The same weldor who would love to fiddle and adjust your architectural job to perfection, and would almost do it for free; may deplore your heavy structural retrofit and wouldn't do it for love or money. Vice versa too of course. No big deal, not interested in that task, don't bid it. In fact on some jobs, the tobacco spitin' heavy plate welding pansy, can team up with the print reading, flower cutting, tough guy!

Look at the companies that have the most efficient possible scenario for hourly pay. Moving assembly line setting the pace, simplified repetitive tasks, purpose built machines, heavy structure and supervision. This makes for the highest possible yield out of a work shift.

These factories are screaming that they can't afford the wage! Now, how is a shop with (comparatively) inefficient, under supervised, mismatched labor; performing, specialized constantly changing tasks, with compromise matched machines, going to pay MORE than the supper efficient factories feel they can?

Of course if you have customers willing to carte blanche your work at time and material that's another story. But if that's the case, why are costs an issue?

It doesn't work anymore. Remember the -take every job that comes through the door- do it all shops? Per the boss's orders they have been broken up into smaller more efficient specialized profitable operations. We all know who the "boss" is right?

Brandon with your present situation you are at the mercy of the elusive, nearly extinct - print readin', plate burning, steel climbing, problem solving, team playing, not money motivated, floor sweeping, work ethic instilled- erection/fabrication super man. He's getting scarce!

[littlefuzz]

I think Brandon's position would be a great start for a young man that has a good head on his shoulders. Most prints are easy if you have common sense and are willing to learn.

[WelderBoy]

In fact on some jobs, the tobacco spitin' heavy plate welding pansy, can team up with the print reading, flower cutting, tough guy!


Hehe, it's funny you say that. I am a tobacco spitin', heavy plate welding, print reading, flower cutting (I do a lot of gardening), tough guy/pansy. :laugh: Maybe that's why I am my own boss...I am a crew all in myself! :laugh:

ok, i'm done.

[denrep]

I think Brandon's position would be a great start for a young man that has a good head on his shoulders...

I agree, but try to find him!

Regardless, get him on the carrot plan.
Pay directly linked to production.

[sn0border88]

Why does everyone have to tell him how to approach this? If people bite at the price, cool. If they dont and he really needs them, I bet he will offer more.

Its not like any of you live and die on what becomes of this.

[denrep]

Why does everyone have to tell him how to approach this? If people bite at the price, cool. If they dont and he really needs them, I bet he will offer more.

Its not like any of you live and die on what becomes of this.

It's about trying to help your fellow man.

What's wrong with offering a man a hand with his struggle through the business jungle?

He can't pay more. He's not an island. He's in a capitalist market with competitive pressure.

If he had an IN - OUT money machine: Pay out 30.00 an hour labor; get back 60.00 profit, he wouldn't even flinch at 30.00 would he?

[olddad]

Pay directly linked to production.

LMAO...PIECE-WORK went out the door years ago !! The help was making too much money they claimed !! Jobs went to DAY-WORK (hourly) and owners and managers have been crying ever since. They've had it both ways and they still blame us. When WE KNEW there was something in it we gave the extra 10 or 20% !! The promise of a free lunch ain't ****...you want a harder worker you put that free lunch in his pocket !! His family will live better and THAT'S WHY he does it !!

[denrep]

LMAO...PIECE-WORK went out the door years ago !! ...
Yes - Pay directly linked to production.

It's back with a vengence! World wide! Time to face it.

High producers are tired of pulling slackers.

The "boss" is tired of paying for it.

[olddad]

He can't pay more. He's not an island. He's in a capitalist market with competitive pressure.
Do you know this man personally ? If you don't you can't say that without first seeing his business and personal records. He said he sometimes has trouble paying his own bills, I won't buy into that without knowing him. It could be true, but that coin has two sides.

[olddad]

Yes - Pay directly linked to production.

It's back with a vengence! World wide! High producers are tired of pulling slackers.

The "boss" is tired of paying for it.

That would suit me just fine !! Can't move as fast as I used to but I should still be able to pick up a few crumbs...lol.

[denrep]

Do you know this man personally ? If you don't you can't say that without first seeing his business and personal records. He said he sometimes has trouble paying his own bills, I won't buy into that without knowing him. It could be true, but that coin has two sides.

You're kidding right?

Why don't you sell your house for a couple million dollars, solve your problems and relax?

Can't find a "customer" willing to pay 2 million right?

That's what he's up against. Market force.

[olddad]

So, for all those who can do one better, I challenge you to this. List your clock job, what you get paid per hour before taxes and how long you've worked there. I think you will soon see, his pay is not far off.
HEY MICROZONE, mine's up for the world to see...WHERE'S YOUR'S ??

[olddad]

You're kidding right?

Why don't you sell your house for a couple million dollars, solve your problems and relax?

Can't find a "customer" willing to pay 2 million right?

That's what he's up against. Market force.
Or maybe a poor business plan in the first place ?? I don't know the man so I'm not judging even though he already has. I am simply giving another veiw to statements that have been made and also giving my opinion on some. I'm not judging anyone or any thing, just responding to what I see in print on my screen.

[DDA52]

I was going to stay on the sideline of this, but......:rolleyes:

What I see here is a comparison being drawn by guys in other areas on the wage issue. It can't be done like that. Wages here are way cheaper than everywhere else. That is how it is done here and how it will always be. We do not live in a northern blue state that has taxes for anything and everything. Labor is cheap here and the cost of living is still low. If you want to be in business, you either compete or go down or away. You guys telling him his wages are too low.....what are you basing that on?? Your local wages? That won't fly in any fashion. We have to compete in the LOCAL market and must price accordingly or we go under fast. You think his wage is too low??? Try looking at the San Antonio market or Laredo. Those wages will blow your mind. You must be competitive in YOUR market, not in someone elses, unless you are actually doing work there. Telling him off based on anything but his market is not realistic and a waste of time.

If he can only pay that much, then you either take it or move on if that is what you are looking for. There are people out there that will and do work for less because that is what the going rate is. Businesses have to pay the bills to stay solvent. That is why we have to get the best out of what we can get without breaking the bank. Spend all your money on labor and there will be nothing left to stay afloat. Best way I know to close down a business. If I paid as much for help where I am now as I did for help in the No. Va. area 15 years ago, I would be under in less than a year. You pay the going rate and that is it. Once the business gets going, move some key personel up to a salary arrangement and keep the others on scale and hand out some bonuses. You have to start growing somewhere and somehow. If it doesn't work, fine... change something. But this is how it is done down here whether you like it or not. Telling him to change his business model is ridiculous. Do you know what that model is already? Do you know the type or amount of work, price of labor, or material prices he is having to pay out at the moment? No one but Brandon does and no one else needs to. Let him do it as he sees fit. Denegrating his tactics does nothing but start trouble. Better yet, don't arm chair quarterback...get out there in his market and try paying 25 bucks plus an hour and see how long you last with all the competition paying much less. My guess would be not too awful long. I can say that since I am in a similar market.

I'm not trying to start anything or step on any toes here. I just see and know exactly where he is coming from since I am in much the same boat. I just think some of the comments were unwarranted and uninformed. The result is now Brandon has his back up. Nothing good can or will come of this. If you disagree with something, tell him tactfully or just ask a question to bring out your point. THAT is what gets the best threads going, not the flamefests. OK, now I am off my soapbox.:waving:

[Me!]

I don't know your area but if you are paying good wages you will find an ok welder, if you want a good one, then you will need to make the offer better than he (or she) can get from the other guy. Money talks and talent walks!

As an employee I don't care what size company you are, I don't work less for you since you are a small company, and if everyone else pays $20 I don't want to hear you "can't".

To put it into prospective, in my area I can walk into the grocery store or Burger King and sign on at $15/hr WITH Medical, 401K, Vacation, Sick days... ect. And don't need to cook in the sun or freeze my *** off in the winter.

Good luck....

[denrep]

Man, it's hot in here!

If my writing style seems less than tactful or flaming please excuse me, not my intent whatsoever. As far as I'm concerned, this is nothing but a polite discussion, any other interpretation is a misunderstanding.

What I am trying to express are a few simple ideas, maybe examples would help:

The man Brandon describes, was plentiful, now he's scarce, regardless of the wage.

The WWII effort produced a million depression raised, disciplined, knowledgeable workers just plain interested in, and willing to do the kind of work Brandon describes. Their work is done, they have not been replaced. Entire companies have had to reinvented themselves to deal with this fact.

It's a moving target. It never stops, it's constantly changing. There are a lot of lean and mean fast changing rats after the cheese. Did anyone notice that truck driver wages have eclipsed many other professions. What do you suppose would happen if 100,000 qualified drivers magically appeared? It's supply and demand, part of the market pressure.

[DDA52]

To put it into prospective, in my area I can walk into the grocery store or Burger King and sign on at $15/hr WITH Medical, 401K, Vacation, Sick days... ect. And don't need to cook in the sun or freeze my *** off in the winter.

Good luck....

Burger King here...if you can find one :rolleyes: , will pay in the 7.50 to maybe 9 buck range. Benefits???? Flipping burgers??:laugh: Not here, that's for sure.

[DDA52]

denrep, I wasn't singling you out or anyone really. Just saying in general. Brandon got his back up fast, and it wasn't hard to see why. I might have done much the same thing, maybe. Having been in his area and still in TX, I know what the pay is around about the state...and it ain't what it should be. Being a business owner, I know why it is where it is....cuz no one will pay more. That is the way it is. They pay good weldors in my area in the 8-9 buck range still. Why, because there are plenty out there that will work for that kind of money...and if there aren't, wait a few days and some more will cross the border. :rolleyes: That is what we have to deal with, like it or not. But, then I believe you will get what you pay for as well. I try to treat my guys as fair and as well as I can, without going in the red. Some days it is a hard line to tow, but I do what I can.

A lot of it depends on exactly what line of welding work you go into. Misc metals work seems to pay the lowest and the competition is the fiercest. Heavy structural pays a little more and pipe, even more with aerospace and super exotic being the best paying.

I agree with the help not being what it was. It is a rare thing these days to find someone under 30-35 that is really willing to work. There are a few out there that are the exception to that rule, but not many...and less and less every year. Might be why they get illegals all the time. They'll work hard and cheap. Doesn't make it right, but that is the situation we have to deal with. FWIW, I do not go there. All my guys are legal.

[MicroZone]

HEY MICROZONE, mine's up for the world to see...WHERE'S YOUR'S ??

I don't have a clock job, so I know what struggling is all about. I wish I could just work 40 hours a week and get a solid paycheck. I wasn't scared that I had/have to do without once in a while. I'm not scared I can't buy/lease a new truck every 3 or 4 years. It doesn't matter to me that someone down the road has a 6 figure home.

Some people cling to consistancy, their weekly safety net paycheck and keeping up with the Jones'. Not me. :p :waving:

[partagas]

I have to move from NY to where you people live. The last four jobs I have had as a welder have all been in the 10-16 buck range. And the smallest one of them is one of only three company's that build doors and bars for prisons. The others build trains, one builds oil skids and my current builds MRI's. So three build six figure to multi million dollar products, and the highest pay rate is 18-20. So the next time you get into that MRI that is costing you over a grand for one picture, it was built by a experienced welder making somewhere around 13-18.00 per hour. And that train you watch pass was also welded by a 15-20.00 welder. And I have certs. DOT, which in almost mandatory in this area, also 6g mig ASME, and AWS in Mild Steel and S.S.. And working on my 6g Tig with Alum. So I should be able to make what 30-40bucks in your area......

[MicroZone]

Partagas - not in this area, CNY is the armpit of NY. People are more concerned with buying big houses and big SUV's versus anything else. Then when you ask them to pay your bill, they can't pay you for another 3 months because they are too busy saving up for the $600 SUV payment and $2000 mortgage. :laugh:

[olddad]

they are too busy saving up for the $600 SUV payment and $2000 mortgage. :laugh:
The sad part of that is it's all too often true.

[socalwelder]

I just started welding and I am d1.1 certified and aws cert. . I will not work for anything under 16.00. i am getting paid 19.10 right now. I dont have to much on the job experince. I cant see a experienced welder making 12-16 hr. Its like a slap in the face to the experinced welders.

[DDA52]

I just started welding and I am d1.1 certified and aws cert. . I will not work for anything under 16.00. i am getting paid 19.10 right now. I dont have to much on the job experince. I cant see a experienced welder making 12-16 hr. Its like a slap in the face to the experinced welders.


Consider it an insult all you want. That doesn't make it so, nor will it change the markets. I hear that all the time from transplants from the coasts and up north. You can't move into an area and demand a wage that just isn't paid for welding. That will keep you out of a job. Kali wages are much higher than ours are, and so is the cost of living. You come to my shop and tell me what you won't do, I'll show you the door as will most shops. Approach it as a what can I get or what can you do, and you will get a much better reception. FWIW

I said it before and will say it again.....if you are basing the wage deal on your area, DON'T. Wages are not universal and are not ever going to be. It isn't an insult or anything like that. It is regional economics, plain and simple.

[brandon75173]

SoCal wages AND cost of living >>>>>>>>>>> Over DFW

Dont forget that DFW has one of the best cost of living to income ratios in the nation. Much better than CA or NY.

FWIW, I hired an experienced weldor for $16 per hr. yesterday. I hired a young eager guy Monday for $12.50. He isnt much a weldor, but seems to be a fast learner and hard worker. Both are happy to get the wage, but as I spoke to them, as they help get stuff done and get more independent, I can pay them more. The guys are happy to work for it, isnt that good enough?

[DDA52]

Good deal, Brandon. Glad you got your help void filled.....now ignore the naysayers and go make some sparks.:p :waving:

[socalwelder]

Consider it an insult all you want. That doesn't make it so, nor will it change the markets. I hear that all the time from transplants from the coasts and up north. You can't move into an area and demand a wage that just isn't paid for welding. That will keep you out of a job. Kali wages are much higher than ours are, and so is the cost of living. You come to my shop and tell me what you won't do, I'll show you the door as will most shops. Approach it as a what can I get or what can you do, and you will get a much better reception. FWIW

I said it before and will say it again.....if you are basing the wage deal on your area, DON'T. Wages are not universal and are not ever going to be. It isn't an insult or anything like that. It is regional economics, plain and simple.

DDA52 you have a good point there. I guess I need to be more open minded on wages and areas.

[kburd]

call me naive but dont you pull rods? "good hand to show up to a site and push rod."

[WelderBoy]

call me naive but dont you pull rods? "good hand to show up to a site and push rod."

Not necessarily. Depends 100% on the situation. I was first taught that you push stick, pull a wire. Then I was taught to drag flux, push gas. Then I realized that it all depends on the situation.

I push 7018 about 40% of the time. I always push uphill. Sometimes I push when flat or overhead depending on what weld profile I am looking for.

[brandon75173]

call me naive but dont you pull rods? "good hand to show up to a site and push rod."

You are kidding me right? Its just a figure of speach. Why is it everyone and their GD dog have to come in a section that specifically is intended to be resourceful and says to keep on task and no one can.

[Tinbasher]

Our green first year apprentices make $16 an hour with dental, medical, pension, and free technical training.

[Weekend Mig]

...FWIW, I hired an experienced weldor for $16 per hr. yesterday. I hired a young eager guy Monday for $12.50. He isnt much a weldor, but seems to be a fast learner and hard worker. Both are happy to get the wage, but as I spoke to them, as they help get stuff done and get more independent, I can pay them more. The guys are happy to work for it, isnt that good enough?

WOW! Interesting thread - - definitely some STRONG opinions on the matter. Not sure that all the flames were warranted. I do not work in the industry, so I have nothing to add to the "welder" part of the discussion, but I am glad to hear things worked out for you in your search. Good hands and a good work ethic will help alot.

As for the wages part of the discusion, I can only assume that the US is very similar to Canada - wages and benefits are DRAMATICALLY different in different parts of the country, and are completely unrelated to the level of skill of the individual (actually, there are some parts of Canada that are so desparate for workers, they are routinely over-paying for the level of skill). In other words, one person in a certain part of the country could have the same skills as another guy making 2x or more in another area. Only difference being that they are happy to live and work in a "lower-cost" center - as I do.

Anyway, glad to hear things worked out.

[PipeDreamer07]

See that is the problem with shop or fabrication welders they don't make enough money, yeah tapped out at 18.75 and no further, I was the highest paid shop welder there and after I reached that and told that is high as i could go, I left shortly after that and riged out and started chasing pipelines, no offense brandon but you would be better off posting something like that in you public newspapper...

[PipeDreamer07]

I think about 12.50 pays for my truck to be there but I wouldn't fire it up, it would just sit there and look pretty, Try you local newspaper and you might have better luck there....:sleeping: :drinkup:

[pilebuck]

Hey, is this the site where you get a free gatorade a couple of times a week?!!

[brandon75173]

Hey, is this the site where you get a free gatorade a couple of times a week?!!

Hey, is this thread where the children and "slow" adults come to play?

[fatfrank]

I think about 12.50 pays for my truck to be there but I wouldn't fire it up, it would just sit there and look pretty, Try you local newspaper and you might have better luck there....:sleeping: :drinkup:


I have doubts that the guy who makes $12.50/hour has to supply his truck and consumables. I bet he shows up, works, collects pay and goes home.

[ZTFab]

Enough is enough.

This thread has gone nowhere, fast.

At Brandon's request, this thread will now be locked.

- Paul