How much $ to ask for as a new apprentice out of trade school?

[CFESAmasterEGSR]

Sorry, right to work state. We don't talk union around these parts.

Ha ha, you talk like me. I'm still trying to learn all the union jargon these guys use. I keep burning up google every time I see an acronym. Lol

[mechAK47]

any construction or mechanical job is experience especially plumbing and electric (high voltage as well as low voltage) if you tell your new boss you have 3 years experience as a plumber he will know that at least you know all the tools and your hands are used to pipes.

[CTnewbie]

Congrats Joe is this a union job? The reason for asking is straight out of tech school I was offered $11/hr as an installers helper in a non-union state. Seems like you union guys have it pretty good!

Thanks, I'm looking forward to Wednesday. No, this isn't a Union Job, I wish it was. As far as starting pay, I think the difference is the cost of living around here. $15.00 isn't much here, especially when you consider rent in a 2BR apt is costing me $2400 mo. in this area. If this was my only source of income I wouldn't be able to take the job, but luckily I'm able to make money in other fields as well.

[B.B.]

I wonder how much I should expect in Florida... I have trade school completion, of course the EPA Certs [ALL] and the optional 410 A Cert.

[Thermodynamics]

$2400

$15 x 40 x 4 = $2400

I couldn't imagine my entire salary going to just putting a roof over my head.

Good luck on the new job.

[bearfromobx]

Just make sure to develop a working relationship with your fellow techs and be respectful, especially when you don't think your senior tech is right. The guys you ride with today can drag you out of a fire or cook your bacon down the road, be it when you get into trouble, need a recommendation or are looking for your next opportunity. Good Luck Bubba!

[alcomech]

Sorry, right to work state. We don't talk union around these parts.

Its true that not many local service guy's know that there is union representation here in N.C.
UA Local 421 is based out of North Charleston, S.C. and does have local BA's here in North Carolina.

Local 421 is not strong here and there are only a handful of signatory contractors. Last I checked they only pay around $25.00 an hour, and I wonder if they have a national pension plan or retirement fund. I think they do have a training facility somewhere here.

As far as I can see 421 is not aggressive here in N.C. and there maybe some reason to that and most of it is personal dating way back in another time.

The pay scale here is no where near the national average which is somewhere in the the range of $34.00 per hour in addition to benefits. But that's not to say that a seasoned service mechanic can easily make that here. There is one BIG catch though.....you have to know someone to get that kind of money here.

But the truth of it here is that if you are after the money..... you will have to work hard for it here. You can not be doing any kind of residential work and expect to make the National average.
Again I am talking about here N.C. only.

I would like to hear some opinions or facts on N.C. ....so please share



But I am still learning and looking for a new mentor.
_______________________
In a strict sense troubleshooting is not part of the repair..........understand the symptoms and you will find a solution.

[bearfromobx]

Its true that not many local service guy's know that there is union representation here in N.C.
UA Local 421 is based out of North Charleston, S.C. and does have local BA's here in North Carolina.

Local 421 is not strong here and there are only a handful of signatory contractors. Last I checked they only pay around $25.00 an hour, and I wonder if they have a national pension plan or retirement fund. I think they do have a training facility somewhere here.

As far as I can see 421 is not aggressive here in N.C. and there maybe some reason to that and most of it is personal dating way back in another time.

The pay scale here is no where near the national average which is somewhere in the the range of $34.00 per hour in addition to benefits. But that's not to say that a seasoned service mechanic can easily make that here. There is one BIG catch though.....you have to know someone to get that kind of money here.

But the truth of it here is that if you are after the money..... you will have to work hard for it here. You can not be doing any kind of residential work and expect to make the National average.
Again I am talking about here N.C. only.

I would like to hear some opinions or facts on N.C. ....so please share



But I am still learning and looking for a new mentor.
_______________________
In a strict sense troubleshooting is not part of the repair..........understand the symptoms and you will find a solution.

I'm curous; where did you find the $34/hr national average figure and what specialities does that number include? The last Federal numbers I remember was about $52K a year without OT for an HVAC/R tech.

[FL.HVAC]

I wonder how much I should expect in Florida... I have trade school completion, of course the EPA Certs [ALL] and the optional 410 A Cert.

Right out of school here in south Florida I got $17 per hour but I had some install experience before I started schooling. Sell yourself and prove your worth. I know many companies that start guys out of school at 14.50 that's probably more average for down here.

[Halcyon]

How have things worked out?

[CTnewbie]

How have things worked out?

So so, not much learning. Doing simple things like brazing and fetching tools, lol.