Need to hire experienced weldor/fabricator

[DDA52]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[socalwelder]

Originally Posted by DDA52

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]

Originally Posted by kburd

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]

Originally Posted by kburd

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]

Originally Posted by brandon75173

...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....

[pilebuck]

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

[brandon75173]

Originally Posted by pilebuck

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]

Originally Posted by 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....

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