becoming a tractor mechanic/tech

[Rmart30]

Its going to be different everywhere. Whats a good wage in the south is nothing to someone in California.

Can someone put things in perspective and mention some dollar amounts? Any mention of "Very Well" and "Peanuts, doesn't mean anything.

It boggles my mind, why a man would spend years of his life, spend a fortune in tools, work a dirty, thankless job and be paid "peanuts".

Here in the south someone working on construction type equipment can expect to be in the $24-35 hr range as a class A mechanic. Which is very good for our cost of living. Start out would be low to mid teens or higher based on schooling or experience. A 2 year tech school on some diesel , hydraulics and electronics classes will get you well on your way and doesnt cost a fortune. Most of the larger companies will continue your education thru their own classes on the brands they represent.

I spoke to a buddy of mine just this weekend who works at a new OTR truck dealership working on 18 wheelers. His rate is $44 a hr. If he bills 110% of his time he gets a additional $2 a hour. if he bills 130% of his time he gets a additional $5 a hour. So in other words if he works hard and does stuff quick and efficiently faster than book rate hes making $49 a hour. He has paid for insurance, 401, 2 week vacation, paid holidays etc.

And as someone mentioned its also about getting on at the right place. Ya have to sorta be wise and pick and choose. Myself there are a few things I draw the line at. I wouldnt go to work working on garbage trucks or equipment at garbage dumps. I wouldnt do poultry processing plants etc even if they offered me $10 a hour more than what I make now. Its not worth it to me.
Just as with any other jobs. Some will work your butt to death for $14 a hr while others paying $25+ could be rather cushy depending on its details. Other things figure in also. For the past 30 years ive had a company service truck to drive home. In 30 years how much wear and tear, gas, insurance, tires etc has that saved me? For about 20 years I havent paid for anything for health insurance. Lots to figure in on whats the best way to go. As i said in my previous post tractors in this market down here would be far down on my list of things to work on as my main job. Ive never talked to any tractor techs down here (at deere kubota, mahindra dealers) that made close to what construction equipment mechanics make in this area.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Great information. It's no different then spending 20 hours fixing a $500.00 Utility Trailer or spending that time fixing a $50,000 machine. Put your time into the best bang for the buck. Be a plumber in a nuclear plant, not in low income housing.

 

[Rmart30]

Great information. It's no different then spending 20 hours fixing a $500.00 Utility Trailer or spending that time fixing a $50,000 machine. Put your time into the best bang for the buck. Be a plumber in a nuclear plant, not in low income housing.

Exactly. I have a buddy who got in the millwrights and was working all over for a few years. I had talked to him once and he was "killing it" at some nuke plant making $46 something a hour, 12 hr days and like $160 a day per diem. The next time I talked to him and asked what he was doing he said.. Im a floor sweeper now just pushing a broom. I said dang what happened. He said well. I coulda stayed in the work crew doing the same thing for same pay, or push a broom for $3 a hr less on the same job site , get the same perdiem not have to supply any of my own tools and drag them around the country and no one says a word to me and I do maybe 3 hours of "work" a day.

Id have took the "pay cut" also.

 

[Industrial Toys]

A broom and a shovel are fine tools in a union shop upon which to catch some much needed rest. lol

It's a fact that life, work or relationships don't give you what you are owed, or worth, or what's fair but often what you negotiate for or even demand.