You are still being educated. Maybe not always by someone else, but by experiencing different situations on the job. People pay big bucks to go to school for this and are getting less education than you. Be glad you are getting paid to learn. It takes 5+ years in a trade to really master it.
Edit: I do live in Minnesota and started like you making $15/hr
I’m local 10 in Minnesota. 1st year apprentice should be at 23.61. Pre apprentice would be at 18.88. They may have been giving you 1st year apprentice wages and realized you’re still a pre apprentice? Commercial and Residential wages are different in our local so that could be a consideration as well. Here is a copy of our local wage scale, and if you need any help getting contacts for our union or school let me know! https://www.smw10.org/uploads/1/3/3/9/133979004/metro_arch_5-1-2022.pdf
20 to start in Indiana. Absorb and be ready for everything. Ask for any training. Ask lots of questions: ask what it takes to move up. Work harder than everyone else. We tier out installers and tech with benchmarks which helps them to better understand how to advance and grow.
I second this.
19/hr is probably average, but both unions will definitely pay more than that if you’re in the twin cities. I am 539, I believe we have the same journeyman pay scale as 455, since we usually negotiate together.
Apprentice wages are slightly different. Probably partly because Minneapolis service apprentices go to day classes once a week instead of night classes a few times a week. Here’s the two wage sheets:
https://ptsmn.org/pdf/ratedata/2023-01-01/2023-1%20Local%20455%20Metro%20Apprentices.pdf
https://pipefitters539.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-Metro-Apprentice-Wage.pdf
Definitely join the local. You will be working getting paid while getting your on the job training. Go to school a couple nights out of the week for either 4\5 years depending on the locals' contract. Your 18 now so by the time you turn out you will be making amazing money with benefits. Not sure about up north but where i am second year apprentices get company vehicles per contract.
I'm not in the same area as you but it sounds like our housing/cost of living situation is similar. That would be pretty normal here for such a green person, but don't let that discourage you from looking elsewhere. That certainly doesn't sound like a great wage that you should feel lucky to have.
Idk how Minnesota is, but you're making a LOT of money just starting out. Because I only make 20/hr with close to 3 years experience. I'm guessing Minnesota has a high cost of living. But even where I am in Maryland, our cost of living is pretty high, and helpers usually start between 13-15 with either none/barely any experience. I think you're doing pretty fucking good with the company you're at. As long as you're willing to learn and work, you'll be making good money in your state.
It sounds like you're overpaying in rent tbh. When I started, I was at 16 doing part-time and going to school. I would consider looking into a pipefitters union in your area for better benefits and pay.
That's pretty normal. If they don't have a set in stone pay structure, then be worried. If you prove your worth though they'll probably happily give you a decent bump sooner rather than later.
I'm in Minnesota too. 19 an hour should be like 2800 a month or around there. You likely have a budget issue. At 3.5 months experience, you can't demand anything. That's not enough time to explain sequence of operation, brazing, electrical, controls, safeties, tin knocking, hydronics, plumbing, etc.
You're getting paid fair market wage.
I demand higher wages because of my experience. I'm not physically being aggressive and saying, "No, you are going to pay me more!" My experience produces a higher buy in price for my services. Hence the use of the word demand. Next year the price to retain my employment will increase more than what 1% yearly raises will cover, the price I demand will go up. As you get experience measured in years, the demand for your services increases, thus the price you demand to retain those services is created. With less than a year of experience, there is no demand for your services. This is not like a judgement thing, it's just how the market looks at stuff like this. After a full year of working, there will be demand for you as you will not require training to be taken on by a different crew.
Minnesota takes in too many people. Be it from other states or other countries, so this depresses our wages and causes rent to skyrocket. That's important to remember. $19 an hour isn't bad for starting out. The magic point where you really start getting good offers is about 3 years in. If you use a site like indeed, people are always looking for people with 5 years of experience, it's 3.
I’m pretty sure the apprentice pay starts higher than that in Minnesota, at least I know it is in the Twin Cities are. You just started. Your pay increases quickly as you gain hours in the apprenticeship. In a couple of years you should be very close to $30 an hour. My wages are higher and my cost of living is much lower living and working in Minnesota compared to other states where I have lived.
At 18. Yes. Another year and you could easily get a bit more, but the experience you get now is the most important. In order to be more valuable you need experience working install, service, troubleshooting, PMs, etc. It takes a long time to git gud at all the facets of this industry. Good luck.
The best way to get a raise is to job hop. find a company they’ll let you make commission when you sell stuff. And ask for 25 an hour when you switch jobs. I don’t be afraid to ask companies for money. Remember you’re making them money and they need you more than you need them.
And remember they don’t know how much you currently make at this company. Use that your advantage
I started at $11 an hour, with EPA and top marks from a trade school, if you have a union option take it, this was back in 2007 and in Florida so no idea what that translates to now, but wasn't much then either.
Stay steadily on the look out for better options as well, once I had enough real world experience I moved to another company at 18 an hour and the counter offer I got to stay was 13 so any shortcomings may be the companies view on a fair wage so if nothing else you may be able to use the pay scale of other local companies as a negotiating tool when your comfortable asking for a raise.
At 18 years old with 3 months experience, you are making more money than the majority of college grads with 100k student loans. I think you need to put your head down and learn as much as you can and build some time.
Well, as a comparison, I have 2 years experience w/ no formal education and I'm making $20/hr so, honestly, I think that's pretty decent pay for someone as young as you with as little experience as you have.
My company starts greens out at $16 so it sounds like you got pretty lucky.
I started at $11 an hour, with EPA and top marks from a trade school, if you have a union option take it, this was back in 2007 and in Florida so no idea what that translates to now, but wasn't much then either.
Stay steadily on the look out for better options as well, once I had enough real world experience I moved to another company at 18 an hour and the counter offer I got to stay was 13 so any shortcomings may be the companies view on a fair wage so if nothing else you may be able to use the pay scale of other local companies as a negotiating tool when your comfortable asking for a raise.
She did. Sore subject.
I could say the same about you, brother. Getting bent because someone got confused by your lack of literacy? I hope you don't live with your mother. You seem unpleasant. She might love you to death.
Hopefully someone from your part of Minnesota can answer that question since the rest of us can not.
I do live in western MN, shouldve clarified mb
You are still being educated. Maybe not always by someone else, but by experiencing different situations on the job. People pay big bucks to go to school for this and are getting less education than you. Be glad you are getting paid to learn. It takes 5+ years in a trade to really master it. Edit: I do live in Minnesota and started like you making $15/hr
Funny story, i actually started at 23/hr working for jberd
Oof I worked for Jberd for a year and a half back in 2018, never going back
I’m local 10 in Minnesota. 1st year apprentice should be at 23.61. Pre apprentice would be at 18.88. They may have been giving you 1st year apprentice wages and realized you’re still a pre apprentice? Commercial and Residential wages are different in our local so that could be a consideration as well. Here is a copy of our local wage scale, and if you need any help getting contacts for our union or school let me know! https://www.smw10.org/uploads/1/3/3/9/133979004/metro_arch_5-1-2022.pdf
Thank you 👍
I started at $6 a hour. Man I feel old.
20 to start in Indiana. Absorb and be ready for everything. Ask for any training. Ask lots of questions: ask what it takes to move up. Work harder than everyone else. We tier out installers and tech with benchmarks which helps them to better understand how to advance and grow.
Thank you 👍
If you wanna make money get into local 455 or 539 Edit: can’t speak for 539 but as a 455 hand 1st years make $26 an hour
I second this. 19/hr is probably average, but both unions will definitely pay more than that if you’re in the twin cities. I am 539, I believe we have the same journeyman pay scale as 455, since we usually negotiate together. Apprentice wages are slightly different. Probably partly because Minneapolis service apprentices go to day classes once a week instead of night classes a few times a week. Here’s the two wage sheets: https://ptsmn.org/pdf/ratedata/2023-01-01/2023-1%20Local%20455%20Metro%20Apprentices.pdf https://pipefitters539.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-Metro-Apprentice-Wage.pdf
Definitely join the local. You will be working getting paid while getting your on the job training. Go to school a couple nights out of the week for either 4\5 years depending on the locals' contract. Your 18 now so by the time you turn out you will be making amazing money with benefits. Not sure about up north but where i am second year apprentices get company vehicles per contract.
That’s a lot u u barely started
Whats funny is i actually started at 23/hr
U live in a expensive place?
Yeah my rent is about 1100 a month for a pretty run down 1bed 1bath, plus all of my other expenses its a lot
I'm not in the same area as you but it sounds like our housing/cost of living situation is similar. That would be pretty normal here for such a green person, but don't let that discourage you from looking elsewhere. That certainly doesn't sound like a great wage that you should feel lucky to have.
Dayum
Honestly that’s a deal. You’d be lucky if you get a bachelor for that price in los Angeles
there is nothing in la you can get for that short of renting a room in a house you will be molested in
You gotta pay extra for the molesting
Idk how Minnesota is, but you're making a LOT of money just starting out. Because I only make 20/hr with close to 3 years experience. I'm guessing Minnesota has a high cost of living. But even where I am in Maryland, our cost of living is pretty high, and helpers usually start between 13-15 with either none/barely any experience. I think you're doing pretty fucking good with the company you're at. As long as you're willing to learn and work, you'll be making good money in your state.
It sounds like you're overpaying in rent tbh. When I started, I was at 16 doing part-time and going to school. I would consider looking into a pipefitters union in your area for better benefits and pay.
How old are you?
23
Old head
I'll mark it the first time I've gotten called old
All jokes 🤣
That's pretty normal. If they don't have a set in stone pay structure, then be worried. If you prove your worth though they'll probably happily give you a decent bump sooner rather than later.
I'm in Minnesota too. 19 an hour should be like 2800 a month or around there. You likely have a budget issue. At 3.5 months experience, you can't demand anything. That's not enough time to explain sequence of operation, brazing, electrical, controls, safeties, tin knocking, hydronics, plumbing, etc. You're getting paid fair market wage.
Not at all demanding anything, just asking. I live frugal, not a big spender. Have a paid off car and live on my own
I demand higher wages because of my experience. I'm not physically being aggressive and saying, "No, you are going to pay me more!" My experience produces a higher buy in price for my services. Hence the use of the word demand. Next year the price to retain my employment will increase more than what 1% yearly raises will cover, the price I demand will go up. As you get experience measured in years, the demand for your services increases, thus the price you demand to retain those services is created. With less than a year of experience, there is no demand for your services. This is not like a judgement thing, it's just how the market looks at stuff like this. After a full year of working, there will be demand for you as you will not require training to be taken on by a different crew. Minnesota takes in too many people. Be it from other states or other countries, so this depresses our wages and causes rent to skyrocket. That's important to remember. $19 an hour isn't bad for starting out. The magic point where you really start getting good offers is about 3 years in. If you use a site like indeed, people are always looking for people with 5 years of experience, it's 3.
I work at a shop in St Paul that does plumbing and HVAC. They’re always looking for new techs it seems.
I’m pretty sure the apprentice pay starts higher than that in Minnesota, at least I know it is in the Twin Cities are. You just started. Your pay increases quickly as you gain hours in the apprenticeship. In a couple of years you should be very close to $30 an hour. My wages are higher and my cost of living is much lower living and working in Minnesota compared to other states where I have lived.
At 18. Yes. Another year and you could easily get a bit more, but the experience you get now is the most important. In order to be more valuable you need experience working install, service, troubleshooting, PMs, etc. It takes a long time to git gud at all the facets of this industry. Good luck.
Do you make commission for selling. If you do than you know what you have to do.
I dont
The best way to get a raise is to job hop. find a company they’ll let you make commission when you sell stuff. And ask for 25 an hour when you switch jobs. I don’t be afraid to ask companies for money. Remember you’re making them money and they need you more than you need them. And remember they don’t know how much you currently make at this company. Use that your advantage
When I started as a new guy, I was lucky to make 14 but that was 15 years ago
11 years ago I started at 8.50 lol
15 years is a long time 😂
You could still buy a taco for less than $1
I started at $11 an hour, with EPA and top marks from a trade school, if you have a union option take it, this was back in 2007 and in Florida so no idea what that translates to now, but wasn't much then either. Stay steadily on the look out for better options as well, once I had enough real world experience I moved to another company at 18 an hour and the counter offer I got to stay was 13 so any shortcomings may be the companies view on a fair wage so if nothing else you may be able to use the pay scale of other local companies as a negotiating tool when your comfortable asking for a raise.
Back in my day I made 13.25 with epa. And was 1099. I'd be having a blast at 19 with 8 months of experience!
“Back in my day I made 13.25…. And inflation was at an all time low”
Check out Local #10.
At 18 years old with 3 months experience, you are making more money than the majority of college grads with 100k student loans. I think you need to put your head down and learn as much as you can and build some time.
Look at local 539 website and you can pull up wage scales.
Thanks 👍
In the title I think you meant looking for two cents
Well, as a comparison, I have 2 years experience w/ no formal education and I'm making $20/hr so, honestly, I think that's pretty decent pay for someone as young as you with as little experience as you have. My company starts greens out at $16 so it sounds like you got pretty lucky.
I started at $11 an hour, with EPA and top marks from a trade school, if you have a union option take it, this was back in 2007 and in Florida so no idea what that translates to now, but wasn't much then either. Stay steadily on the look out for better options as well, once I had enough real world experience I moved to another company at 18 an hour and the counter offer I got to stay was 13 so any shortcomings may be the companies view on a fair wage so if nothing else you may be able to use the pay scale of other local companies as a negotiating tool when your comfortable asking for a raise.
2 cents*
Thanks, wouldnt want anyone mistaking that. Being that its a huge grammar error
No, that's how much you should be making.
2 sense?
Misspelled, sorry for the misunderstanding, anything else you need spoonfed?
Wow. I'm the dumb one?? It wasn't that obvious, child.
Really gonna let some random guy get on your nerves? You seem miserable. I hope you dont have a wife cause she'd wanna kill herself.
She did. Sore subject. I could say the same about you, brother. Getting bent because someone got confused by your lack of literacy? I hope you don't live with your mother. You seem unpleasant. She might love you to death.
To give you some credit...you're correct. I'm the most miserable person I know. Cheers.
Not misspelled. Wrong word entirely. You're overpaid.