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“Tradesman here, and let me tell you, trade jobs are brutal. I’m 50 now, and my body can barely keep up anymore. If you’re thinking about joining the trades, start young — I started in my thirties, and that was already too late. You’ll make decent money eventually, but real ‘retirement’ pay only comes if you’re an electrician or a plumber. I’ve worked for general contractors, vacation rental property owners, and as an independent contractor. Honestly, I regret it. The only perk? I know how to fix almost anything. The downside? I still can’t afford much — but at least when it breaks, I can fix it myself. My advice? Get a job that’s indoors.”
“As a former painter, another trade I’d recommend, at least partially for the pay, is sheet metal work — and in some cases, welding too. Also, if you can, join a union. In my experience, it makes a huge difference. Around here, non-union electricians (or ‘sparkies’) make about $25 to $30 an hour, while union electricians earn between $38 and $58, depending on the area of the state.”
“I’ve been working in the trades since I was 15. When I hit 25, I looked around and saw guys only a few years older than me with bad knees, missing time with their kids, and sometimes skipping lunch just to make ends meet. That’s when I realized I valued my health, family, and free time more than my paycheck. I switched to building inspection since I already knew most of what tradespeople do, but the work is far less physical and the pay is much better. I’ve been a building inspector for two years now, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. Best part? I’m always home for dinner with my family.”
— MikeTDay
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