Welding Tips and Tricks

ive been welding for 9 yrs as my career. im working at the best welding job ive landed. im a welder at a machine shop. 50% of the time i weld fabs fitted up by a fitter, all kinds of things of all sizes for the steel industry and coal mines and for the company calgon and whatever else. the other 50% of the time i recondition parts, which includes welding multipules passes on various pads and surfaces, "plugging" holes to be drilled out and new threads tapped in with mc-6 (metal core wire), using a boretech to weld bore surfaces and everything gets machined down to specs. i hope someone can understand and relate to this specific welding job. i weld with multiple wire as its mostly mig. lincoln 70 series, 71 series, lincore 33, mc-6, as well as 309 and 308 stainless, amptrode 150 and 210 ( aluminzed bronze wire) in all sizes from .035 to 3/32, and some stainless tig and aluminum tig. as well as air arcing, oxy/acet cutting, stick 7018 occasionally, lots of overhead crane use, and use of forktrucks. all this being said, i make 17.85$ an hour. what i wanna know is, does this job sound like a keeper or a steeping stone to something better??? its got good benefits, eye and dental, 401k, i like the shop and people i work with. promise to make up to 23$ an hour. all the good stuff. holidays and vacation, and ive learned so much at this shop. but i dont want to settle for something less. i dont know if this is a dead end job or not. i want to learn as much as i can and run with it. someday i would like to own my own welding business. way in the future by the way. i do side jobs when i get them. but any way, i hope someone can give me some insight. should i marry this job? or is it a stepping stone? opinions would be greatly appreciated. sorry so long of a rant.

only you can say if this job's any good. it's sounds like you got lots of toy's/tools to play with and some bennies which are hard to come by in some parts. as for dough? again only you know if it's works for you.

If that $17.85 is U.S. Dollars, you're already getting screwed for that skillset.

Learn EVERYTHING this job can teach you, and find another, that values your skills.

Just an opinion.

Steve S

Underpaid for sure, $45/h at least it sounds with that skill set.

But there is always the personal side as well. if you get a long with everyone and they still have a lot more they can teach you, then why not stay.

I would say enjoy your ride there as long as you can, but never turn down a better opportunity/offer. and be honest with them when it's starting to not work out for you, like your wages/working conditions cant keep up with your lifestyle. even if you were making $23/h they may want to just keep you and offer you more to stay.

But just be happy, no sense making more money at another job either when you hate the job or never have the time to enjoy your self. Everyone always thinks the grass is always greener.

I know the feeling, working for a company that pays less than the industry standard, but liking it. I've also been in the opposite where I've worked in a company that paid at the high end of the industry standard, but was miserable. Like others said its ultimately what your comfortable with, also the hourly will vary based on what area of the country your in. $17 in New York City is completely different than $17 in a smaller city

Having a job you enjoy, with the bonus of good benefits is a pretty big plus. Making more in a job you hate isn't any fun at all and will slowly wreck your life. Granted, I think you should be making more for what you do there, but that has been promised to you in the future.

I'd say the job is a keeper. In the meantime, learn all you can, save your money and one day soon you can own your own shop.

Been there, done that.
Other Steve

i see most people think im under paid for what this job entails and in this industry. it is U.S dollars by the way. and i live in a small town and work in a slightly bigger town. its good money for this area. i plan on learning as much this job has to offer. now i also plan on keeping my ears open for other oppertuneties too. i also agree its all what i make of this job. guess you never know whats down the road. thanks for the insight and opinions.

iam looking to buy a decent 3 in 1 for the least money. new one. one phase.
thanks

DL88

I don't think this job is that bad. You hit all the keynotes.

"Landed the best job so far"
"The people are great to work with"
"I have benefits. Dental, eye, etc"

There may be better opportunities and you will have to weigh the options.

My rule, if you go home happy there is a lot of value in that. Being happy at work, where you spend 2000hrs a year is a great reward. If you feel you are being undervalued, let your employer know, in a professional way.

Remember, it is easier for someone who lives 1/2 a continent away to give their opinion (including me) as we don't have to live in your situation.

Wish you luck

Rob

I heartily agree with spkrman15
From what you say, that is a "comfortable" job.
All the good equipment you get to use, eye dental is a big plus....
The main thing is working for/with "good" people.
I to agree, $17.50 is definitely underpaid, why, when I was a boy, I got $20 an hour for picking apples for my neighbor
So, learn all you can, and keep your eyes open for more opportunities, and keep on good terms with your employer....
Good Luck, John