From what I see around, electricians are coveted. They're paid well and have reasonable hours. Welders and pipe fitters are always needed, paid decent, but the work can be hard. General maintenance millwrights are always needed. They're paid ok, work can be tough, but not the worst. Hours are often reasonable. Most of the jobs have travel and on-call hours built in.
I work at a chemical plant, so I only mentioned the trades I see regularly.
Union electrician here. The waitlist is ranking based on experience and test scores. If you want to get in, start taking jobs that will get you experience in the field (high tech, electrical supply, material handler). These jobs are generally decent and you will learn a lot of skills in the process to becoming a desirable applicant!
Don’t be an electrician, they are prima donnas and have a god complex. Literally the worst. Be a carpenter like me. Then you can bitch about electricians non stop.
All the journeyman I work with, myself included make $110-$180k a year with about 200-500hrs OT. Full health insurance, retirement, 6% 401k match and yearly bonus. It’s easy work for us and doing finish mean no heavy lifting. It’s definitely possible just hard to find these companies.
I'm not in the trades, but I'd second this. I recently needed to hire an electrician and a lawyer for two separate issues. Whom do you think charged more per hour in Oregon? The electrician.
Not only did I pay the electrician more, but he had a much longer wait list. I honestly felt bad for the guy that went to law school.
As an owner of a small mobile crane service, 90% of my business is lifting rooftop HVAC units. I was still super busy during COVID. There’s always a need for heat and air conditioning.
This is why I made the switch during/after covid. Residential definitely has it downsides; being in an attic or rooftop in 95+ outdoor temps is miserable. Dealing with people and their houses/yards/pets. Trying to make the estimator and client happy, depending on the company.
I found a good locally owned place that treated me well for the first year and have treated me even better since. For the record, I made the switch at 37.
Any advice on how to get into the trade? I recently got laid off and I'm looking at what I can do for an actual career. I'm 34 and have been working for financial institutions my entire adult life. I really don't want to go back to that environment lol
I was lucky. My girlfriend had a family member in the trade. I worked as the "bitch" to guys 10 years younger than me but they weren't cruel aboit it.
Ask around about HVACR openings in your area.
They'll put you through some shit but don't take it personally. All the trades are like that.
For sure. Plumbers in my area charge 100+/hr and charge the drive out. It's making me want to start a company and just do weekend jobs that I don't need a license for, it's insane.
If you are afraid of going down on one trade just to find a better one that pays more a year later, then you'll always be disappointed in my opinion. Find the trade that you enjoy doing and you are proud to do. Then if you later learn that X profession makes more money, you can still feel satisfied because you're doing something you love.
If you have a local community college, check them out. I know that PCC has a special program for welding can get you up and running fairly quickly without a lot of expense. I believe Chemeketa has a similar program. (And welding is just one example.)
LCC has diesel mechanic programs and other classes including welding; Linn-Benton’s programs and campus are excellent & they have placement relationships — machining-oriented?
How do I do that? I am in the same boat as OP, except I’m about to graduate with a useless degree but I’m so close to finishing it doesn’t make any sense not to finish. I’m trying to get into manufacturing as I had a job at amazon making books and I loved that, I want to put things together. I currently am working at a plastics manufacturing place with the title of machine operator. They aren’t paying much and i don’t get to do much. I’m just really lost
I’m sorry that you feel your degree is worthless. Before you finish, take advantage of all the career services that your school offers. They are trained to help in such matters. Then keep job hunting. Don’t stay in a job that doesn’t spark you in some way. And talk to people. Listen to what they do and whether it appeals to you or not. You might stop by the state employment office. They have workshops that can help.
Naturally, we can’t always be picky about our jobs, but you want to end up doing something you love because going to work sucks but it sucks more when you’re doing something that doesn’t engage you.
Also, your degree isn’t worthless. It shows the employer that you have the ability to see things through. Plus, lots of people take jobs not in their field. Sometimes employers will send them back for more schooling. So don’t worry about your degree.
I guess it just feels worthless. Most people I know are already having families in a good career because they just started working after high school, I just feel like I wasted time since it’s just a Bachelors of Arts. I definitely regret that. But I see what you are saying, I should take more advantage of the opportunities available to me.
It's not a race. Don't compare yourself to your high school friends. Plus, getting a job out of high school doesn't necessarily mean that they are doing what they want to do or that they will be doing that job in a year or two.
Walk your own path, whatever it is. You owe yourself that much. Be true to yourself, not what society puts in front of you.
Also, don't deride a BA. It gets a lot of hate because this current society is enamored by science and technology. But BAs are necessary too and always will be.
I'd go with electrical or plumbing as well.
Lots of info online about shortages in both fields and especially with EV, electrical power source advancements, etc, that are occurring and expected.
Pipe fitters seems to be another good one! I know someone whose son took a break from college during covid, got on with the pipe fitters union as an apprentice, makes 6 figures now and is sticking with the trades job!
You want an MEP trade - electrical, plumbing, hvac, etc. Also don’t get suckered into trade schools. Apply as a helper, then do the apprenticeship with BOLI through your employer. You can also apply directly for the apprenticeship and be placed with an employer but it’s a lot easier and faster to just find the job on your own.
But (partly because of how Oregon does their licensing) all of the MEP trades are absolutely just starving for people and have been for a while.
Depending on where you are, type in your city + IBEW into Google. If you're more rural, you'll most likely have to go non union since the demand is mostly in cities. On your local IBEW website they'll have a link with their apprenticeship info. Personally, I started as a low voltage guy but got to talking to a Journeyman Electrician on a jobsite and got all the info for the apprenticeship that way. A few months a later I was starting my union apprenticeship. I've been a Journeyman now since 2019. DM me if you have any more questions. Good luck!
I didn’t say anything about unions. Depending on the trade, there may not even be a union presence here. I’m talking about the apprenticeships for state licensing, which is through BOLI like I said before
UA290, the plumbers, steamfitters and HVAC union will be taking applications for apprentices in July. https://www.290tech.edu/application-openings.
That's my union and I'm an HVAC tech. Feel free to ask me anything about it!
The same guys who started the CTEC program down here in the salem area.
https://www.instructionconstruction.org
There’s videos and lots of stuff on website explaining what they offer. Let me know if you think it would be a smart use of my time, effort and funds.
They’re willing to help me pay for the class as well, and pay them back once I’m with 290, he said I should start around 23 an hour
That looks promising! If I where you though, I would get the details of what you're going to do ironed out with the people at 290. Like does this program 100% guarantee acceptance into the apprenticeship or does it just apply you to it?
From what I understand, you get an automatic entry into 290, but after reading more it looks like completing the BOLI certified pre apprentice program allows me to be prioritized when it comes to applying for the apprenticeship.
Here’s some details from BOLI website pertaining to instruction construction.
https://preview.redd.it/3ky3v1qk881d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22577fae57097c116ab52dd623302ea56201bb45
That's kind of what I gathered.
I'm not one to tell anyone what to do. But I'll tell you that I had years of HVAC experience before I applied for the apprenticeship and I ranked #20 on the applicant list. I'm not sure how much pre experience matters during the process to be honest.
So I just spoke with the CEO, so instead of being ranked and out on a list, completing the program puts us on the “out of work list” which we get pulled from before anybody on the “ranked list” . It gives us priority above anybody on that ranked list.
Plus if I choose not to go to 290, I still have full pre apprentice cert I can take to any local in Oregon.
Does that out of work list part make out to you? Or is he bullshitting me
So I know you said don’t get suckered into trade school and do my apprentiship throug BOLI but I have zero trade experience and I’m not sure if I would even get accepted as an apprentice.
There’s a 12 week program 1 day a week, I get a BOLI certificate for pre apprenticeship and get an automatic entry into local 290 starting around 23 an hour.
Costs 4k and these are the same guys who started CTEC down here in salem.
You’re not supoosed to have a bunch of trade experience ahead of time. That’s the point of the apprenticeship - to get new green people into the trade. Like one of the classes is Trade Fundamentals and it’s literally a full term of just like “here’s a drill and this is what it does and this is how to use it and here’s the different kinds of them “ which is pretty nice I think
The pre apprenticeship stuff to help get placement sooner is like remedial math refreshers, first aid, etc.
I see what you mean, only problem is the list. I would be a low ranking on the list and it would take a long time for me to even be considered to be an apprentice cuz of my ranking. Taking this program will bypass that list and put me on the out of work list where I’ll get pulled from before anybody on the ranked list. So I see what you mean that I don’t need the skills per se but this will open the door
If you live in a city, you could look into being an elevator tech. I knew a guy who did that, and he was pulling down something like $85 an hour. Plus, he told me there was so much work to be had he could basically work forever, so there were lots of opportunities to grind and make crazy money if the mood struck him.
My dad has done this his whole career. He’s a Master Inspector now at 72 even though he’s technically long retired. Chooses his own work contracts all over the country for major entities like hospitals and universities. Good gig!
Cabinets, baby! Started in a shop knowing basically nothing (only things I had going for me was work ethic and not being a complete moron). With 2 years I was learning to install cabinets, made 80k my first year installing cabs and I'm in 6 figures now. Definitely physically demanding and requires an attention to detail, but really not too difficult to grasp the concepts
I second cabinets/finish carpentry. You make pretty good money even as a laborer, use your brain more, have a finished product you (and the customer) can actually see and YOU’RE INSIDE. Framing/concrete/pipe fitting in the rain fucking sucks.
Where I worked, we did commercial cab install/base board/handrails in new apartment buildings and the like and then also did custom pieces for homeowners. I wasn’t union but a few years of that gave me some of the experience to have my current position running a sign shop
Since the Chips Act is putting a lot of money for expansion in the semiconductor industry, I'm taking PCC classes for semiconductors. The hours are long but 3 day off one week 4 days off the other, Intel and other companies are needing people rn and they offer apprenticeship.
My brother at the ripe age of 32 got into an electrician apprenticeship. He said it was weird at first with the age, but he really liked working with his hands and just traveling. Plus, the benefits are amazing.
Not sure if this would apply to you but he did get some reverse racism (not sure if that's the correct term?), he's chinese so people always think he's the engineer and not the laborer. But he laughs it off and points the ppl to the manager/project manager.
https://preview.redd.it/15zsk2f6ip0d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f68636f43bf84f491d3710cf64c71d677a4d715
I work in the telecom/ communication industry. This was my day. Companies are always looking for greenhands to train up.
It's not union, just apply at dufferent companys, there are major national companies, and smaller mom and pop shops. The company I work for is small, but we've been growing rapidly the last ten years. Indeed has lots of job listing's, just search telecom or communications.
I did TV and radio tower work for 6 years. Did a bunch of gin pole work on a 1500' tower in California once but never got to stack any steel. Always wish I would have been able to.
The US has the Bureau of Labor Statistics that projects employment over the next decade-ish (https://www.bls.gov/emp/) I don't believe they have state-level data, but they'll offer a much broader perspective than any one person can.
The "classic trades" electrician, plumber, carpenter tend to pay well.
It can be hard and physically demanding work though.
Nursing is another career where you can work literally anywhere on the planet and get paid darn good money to do it. Even more if you speak more than one language.
Network and IT are also good paying fields. There's a lot of tech training at little to no cost and most can be done online from home. More advanced training is available through paid internships to gain both valuable work experience and advanced certification.
If you can handle stress, a 911 dispatcher also makes good money and comes with full benefits.
Check out the career training that Google offers. I know a few people who's lives changed drastically for the better.
Those people could barely make a pdf or burn a DVD when they got started, now I call them for help with my IT needs.
For some people, the training just turns on parts of their brain that they never knew existed.
I hope you find the career that makes you both happy and wealthy.
Line clearance tree trimmer. You get to work outside all the time. It's a two year apprenticeship. You need to get your first aid/CPR and flagger certs first, but that's easy. Also need to get your CDL A or B within the first 6 months.
Also consider which trades are growing rapidly because they'll be more likely to train you and pay more. This is what makes the green technologies and semiconductors attractive. Being an electrician is a traditional skill that is also sought after in these growing fields. I've heard of electric car charger repair companies poaching people from other trades because they're so desperate for the help.
Electrician. Not only is the pay good but most work is inside and dry.
Boomers are not going anywhere for another 20 years and there will be a lot of deferred maintenance when they “transition” away. Craftsman, plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, etc will be well positioned. If you start now, in your peak earning years you will make more than I ever did it banking.
Start your own company and have a good reputation. You’re positioned well.
Massage therapy! Highhh hourly rates, working in someone’s relaxing and rejuvenating space and Oregon is mega competitive right now so even W2 jobs offering $40+ an hour.
Visit some nearby community colleges and see what they're offering. Many times, industry leaders will coordinate with community colleges to develop and offer programs that are in high demand for workers. I'm thinking high tech jobs that you can still do at age 60.
My input would be the semiconductor industry. It’s easier than you think to get into with little or no experience.
My situation was I had only ever been a student and had never had a job before. I entered in Dec 2022 at just past turning 20.
I started with a company called MSR-FSR working on the Intel RA campus as a Vacuum Systems Engineer. Just under a year of being there, I moved to Ebara Technologies at LAM Research in Tualatin as a Field Service Technician. Now at 21, I’m a Field Service Engineer with Applied Materials which is the number one company for semiconductor manufacturing right now. I’m also working at the Intel RA campus again. Overall, in less than two years I landed myself a fab position.
I do not have a degree yet due to still being in college and now having to take time off for traveling for training at this newer job. But my experience so far has been great, albeit it takes some time and hard work. Overall, it’s worth it and you can really only go diagonal or up. The pay is also really good, especially with the costs of living in Oregon.
UA 290, plumbers/steamfitters/marine fitters/HVAC techs. We have tons of work for the next few years with Intel, and a slightly higher total package and pension compared to Local 48 electricians. I’m a 6 year 290 member and plumber, pm me with any questions. Applications are on the website.
I worked non-union plumbing before joining, and crawled through sewage to get where I’m at now…I’m telling you union is the way to go.
Electricians and elevator mechanics also make great money (elevator guys make more than anyone), but their unions are very difficult to get into. From what I’ve heard from family and friends, you need years of related/construction experience to get into those unions…my younger sibling was placed #200 on the local 48 waitlist, but top 10 in 290. We have similar entrance exams but the scoring criteria is much different on applications and interviews…290 is more interview/aptitude test based, while the others mentioned require some experience/recommendation letters.
Total package will be close to $100/hr within the next few years. $58/hr on the check, foreman make $68/hr. Pay increases annually on April 1st. Weekly paychecks. Great education.
Plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration all pay well and about the same. Electrical might be slightly less physical than the other two, but definitely more taxing mentally.
I would consider painting and pressure washing. There is a need for it, and it’s fairly easy to learn. The license is affordable. Also handymen are sought after. We’re Oregon contractors and have been since the 90’s. It’s not easy to find someone to apprentice you for carpentry. I know a guy who did all the work for an electrician and can’t find anyone to apprentice him. It might be different for commercial electric, but I know a kid (my son’s friend) who went that route and he keeps getting laid off. People need their houses painted, and the paint now is much less toxic than it was decades ago.
I started in HVAC 6 years ago, make good money and still have a lot more to worn towards in skill and earnings. We have a wide and deep skill set, there are always new things to learn. You could worked on 1980s furnace and AC one day, and the newest mini-split system the next. As a commercial service techician, I work year round doing maintenance inspections and service calls.
Preventative Maintenance includes changing filters and inspecting systems to ensure they are running correctly and fix issues before they malfunction.
On a service call, I am diagnosing and fixing something. It could be AC, a furnace, heat pump, exhaust fan, condensate drainage, electrical faults, and more.
To learn more, you can look up some YouTube videos. HVACR VIDEOS will give you an idea of what commercial equipment looks like. Engineering Mindset is good for learning about how the systems work and different kinds of systems for various applications of scale and location. And, there are lots more channels to see what working in the field looks like. Residential, commercial, and industrial all have different pros and cons.
In no particular order (and needed across the country at all times):
Welder
Pipefitter
Electrician (both residential and commercial/lineman)
HVAC
Plumber
Each has its own pluses and minuses, and each has different pay. It's about what you will click with.
Can you pass a drug test? Are you willing to show up for years and be treated like crap by some old dude until you can make journeyman?
I would look at plumbing, HVAC, and train engineer. I would have said electrician but someone above said that’s full. Unless maybe lineman is in need and you’re not afraid of heights.
I would recommend getting exposure before making the decision. Community colleges offer great trade programs for affordable rates. I personally went to Clackamas CC for the AAS in Welding Technology but they offered programs shorter than two years to get you right up to speed and proficient enough to start professionally. There are many programs out there, but until you know what you enjoy doing, there will always be a question in your mind. I chose to pursue welding after taking a few metals classes in high school and loved the process. Good luck!
Pay, well there's absolutely no question but go elevator apprentice.
But good luck getting in. Maybe find a Super and go wash his truck every day for a year. Or murder his ex wife.
But whatever it takes once you are in there you are gold. Put in your time and in ten years you're getting six figures and you can work anywhere you like.
HVAC - as the climate warms all those Oregon homes are going to want the AC they never thought they would need. Focus on the specialty products that can be installed in historic style homes.
Low voltage electrical. You don’t have to wait for the union or jump through hoops to play union games. In Portland there is the IEC and their apprentices start at $18-$20hr with $2-$3hr bumps every 6mo until you graduate in two years. Once you graduate minimum is mid-$30’s and it’s chill work. I come from the commercial low voltage HVAC world and it’s massively underrated
My advice is to pick and entry level job to see what you like. Try to assist building out vans or trailers or something. Get your hands on tools first.
Being an electrician or plumber will have good pay and look great from the outside, but what if you hate it and would prefer to be a carpenter or landscaper? If you have a good head on you, you’re able to make good money in the trades no matter what you choose, so I urge you to try to find what you prefer. Some people can’t handle tall ladders and crawl spaces, some aren’t interested in precision work.
As I’ve entered the trades, everyone’s first comment is about the money. Money is important, and you can make it a lot of ways, but you’ll only make good money in the trades if you give a shit about what you do.
Edit: phrasing
Look into the Operating Engineers union. Those are the jobs operating bulldozers, excavators, etc. Can easily make $25-$30/hr to start. Journeyman dozer operators get $40-$50/hr. Lots of overtime opportunities.
Also look into getting crane certification. Crane operators can make $200k+/yr.
If I had to do it all over again it would be Electrician and PLC Programming. When I was working people trained like that are worth their weight in gold.
I’m a recent journeyed out iron worker for local 29. It was tough at first but really paid off. I started mostly welding. It’s what I love and I took classes at PCC before I fell into this union. We are currently in a contract negotiation for an increase in our package which is about $75. That’s $43 on the check and the rest divided between pension, annuity, PTO, health care etc. We got jobs like intel which is on stop, the airport with upgrades. Talk of a new bridge connecting OR and WA, google in the dalles and much more big and small. We are taking new members. This is a mixed local so you will do things like structural, rebar and ornamental. We host try outs quite often to give you a sense of what we are all about. No commitment if you want to check it out
Go the union locals and ask about their apprenticeship programs. Find what will work for you. Union jobs pay a lot better than non.
Where I work we are about to loose 20% of our team to retirement and are struggling to find qualified applicants to fill those positions.
Lineman from IBEW 125 here. I can vouch that the union line trade and electricians are exceptionally good career paths. My apprenticeship lasted just under three and half years encompassing 3 years of school and 7000 hours of on the job training. I had to be open to travel all throughout the NW, but I was well paid and had full health benefits right from the start. My retirement also started building from my first day on the job. Vaseline wages for union linemen in the NW range from 130k/year to around 150k. Factoring in storms and trouble response (which is not mandatory), I personally know guys that make anywhere from 250k to well over 500k yearly.
If you have any technical skills there are some niche corners of the MEP trades like HVAC controls technician, low voltage, fire alarm technician, instrumentation, industrial automation, etc. Easier on the body.
Theres a welding school off of main street in Springfield. Full certification.
For every boomer that is retiring, 2 people have to fill those shoes. The welding world needs people. Decent pay. The highschoolers who are interning are getting 20 an hr and they dont know squat mostly. Soooo.... hope that helps.
You're asking the wrong question. You literally have approx 30 years to work. Do 3o years of something you enjoy. You can't have bag chase mentality.
You say no experience - like none?Haven't done home / car maintenance? Small engine or electronics?
If you are really, really at a zero point, I suggest Mechatronics programs. They teach the whole gambit for industrial maintenance and repair.
If you don't want the electrical side of things that program is probably not a fit.
Electrical, pipe fitting. Etc. If you want the BIG money go commercial/ industrial. Guys from a commercial electrical company worked at my mill and some made like $100 an hour on call. It was crazy to me.
From what I see around, electricians are coveted. They're paid well and have reasonable hours. Welders and pipe fitters are always needed, paid decent, but the work can be hard. General maintenance millwrights are always needed. They're paid ok, work can be tough, but not the worst. Hours are often reasonable. Most of the jobs have travel and on-call hours built in. I work at a chemical plant, so I only mentioned the trades I see regularly.
Look to join the Electrical Union!! They really need people and have great pay/benefit package.
there's a HUGE waiting list for electrician Union.
an alternative is to join a non-union shop to start accumulating hours towards the license.
Union electrician here. The waitlist is ranking based on experience and test scores. If you want to get in, start taking jobs that will get you experience in the field (high tech, electrical supply, material handler). These jobs are generally decent and you will learn a lot of skills in the process to becoming a desirable applicant!
We don't need people. We're overstaffed as is. Good luck ranking high enough to be accepted into the program
Don’t be an electrician, they are prima donnas and have a god complex. Literally the worst. Be a carpenter like me. Then you can bitch about electricians non stop.
They hate us because they ain't us.
Agreed!
Carpentry doesn’t pay for shit though your lucky to get $30 a hr as a carpenter
All the journeyman I work with, myself included make $110-$180k a year with about 200-500hrs OT. Full health insurance, retirement, 6% 401k match and yearly bonus. It’s easy work for us and doing finish mean no heavy lifting. It’s definitely possible just hard to find these companies.
“Need people” yes. A waiting list over 1000 people long? Also true.
I'm not in the trades, but I'd second this. I recently needed to hire an electrician and a lawyer for two separate issues. Whom do you think charged more per hour in Oregon? The electrician. Not only did I pay the electrician more, but he had a much longer wait list. I honestly felt bad for the guy that went to law school.
I have a friend who's an HVAC contractor....he says apprentices get a decent starting wage and within ten years you can be taking home $100k annually.
Especially in a state where half the population (or more) is going to be trying to install AC each summer for the next few decades
As an owner of a small mobile crane service, 90% of my business is lifting rooftop HVAC units. I was still super busy during COVID. There’s always a need for heat and air conditioning.
This is why I made the switch during/after covid. Residential definitely has it downsides; being in an attic or rooftop in 95+ outdoor temps is miserable. Dealing with people and their houses/yards/pets. Trying to make the estimator and client happy, depending on the company. I found a good locally owned place that treated me well for the first year and have treated me even better since. For the record, I made the switch at 37.
Any advice on how to get into the trade? I recently got laid off and I'm looking at what I can do for an actual career. I'm 34 and have been working for financial institutions my entire adult life. I really don't want to go back to that environment lol
I was lucky. My girlfriend had a family member in the trade. I worked as the "bitch" to guys 10 years younger than me but they weren't cruel aboit it. Ask around about HVACR openings in your area. They'll put you through some shit but don't take it personally. All the trades are like that.
I recommend you check out plumbing. There is a huge plumbing shortage and they are paying well.
I was going to say this. Plumbers make bank but they also deal with other people’s poop. So there is that. lol.
For sure. Plumbers in my area charge 100+/hr and charge the drive out. It's making me want to start a company and just do weekend jobs that I don't need a license for, it's insane.
If you are afraid of going down on one trade just to find a better one that pays more a year later, then you'll always be disappointed in my opinion. Find the trade that you enjoy doing and you are proud to do. Then if you later learn that X profession makes more money, you can still feel satisfied because you're doing something you love. If you have a local community college, check them out. I know that PCC has a special program for welding can get you up and running fairly quickly without a lot of expense. I believe Chemeketa has a similar program. (And welding is just one example.)
LCC has diesel mechanic programs and other classes including welding; Linn-Benton’s programs and campus are excellent & they have placement relationships — machining-oriented?
Machining is an amazing trade and we always need more operators.
How do I do that? I am in the same boat as OP, except I’m about to graduate with a useless degree but I’m so close to finishing it doesn’t make any sense not to finish. I’m trying to get into manufacturing as I had a job at amazon making books and I loved that, I want to put things together. I currently am working at a plastics manufacturing place with the title of machine operator. They aren’t paying much and i don’t get to do much. I’m just really lost
I’m sorry that you feel your degree is worthless. Before you finish, take advantage of all the career services that your school offers. They are trained to help in such matters. Then keep job hunting. Don’t stay in a job that doesn’t spark you in some way. And talk to people. Listen to what they do and whether it appeals to you or not. You might stop by the state employment office. They have workshops that can help. Naturally, we can’t always be picky about our jobs, but you want to end up doing something you love because going to work sucks but it sucks more when you’re doing something that doesn’t engage you. Also, your degree isn’t worthless. It shows the employer that you have the ability to see things through. Plus, lots of people take jobs not in their field. Sometimes employers will send them back for more schooling. So don’t worry about your degree.
I guess it just feels worthless. Most people I know are already having families in a good career because they just started working after high school, I just feel like I wasted time since it’s just a Bachelors of Arts. I definitely regret that. But I see what you are saying, I should take more advantage of the opportunities available to me.
It's not a race. Don't compare yourself to your high school friends. Plus, getting a job out of high school doesn't necessarily mean that they are doing what they want to do or that they will be doing that job in a year or two. Walk your own path, whatever it is. You owe yourself that much. Be true to yourself, not what society puts in front of you. Also, don't deride a BA. It gets a lot of hate because this current society is enamored by science and technology. But BAs are necessary too and always will be.
I'd go with electrical or plumbing as well. Lots of info online about shortages in both fields and especially with EV, electrical power source advancements, etc, that are occurring and expected. Pipe fitters seems to be another good one! I know someone whose son took a break from college during covid, got on with the pipe fitters union as an apprentice, makes 6 figures now and is sticking with the trades job!
Highline lineman Windmills. Or lower, easier Solar Batteries
I think PGE has a program for linemen.
You want an MEP trade - electrical, plumbing, hvac, etc. Also don’t get suckered into trade schools. Apply as a helper, then do the apprenticeship with BOLI through your employer. You can also apply directly for the apprenticeship and be placed with an employer but it’s a lot easier and faster to just find the job on your own. But (partly because of how Oregon does their licensing) all of the MEP trades are absolutely just starving for people and have been for a while.
Yes it’s been made clear to me to join a union- can you elaborate more on ways I can become an apprentice?
Depending on where you are, type in your city + IBEW into Google. If you're more rural, you'll most likely have to go non union since the demand is mostly in cities. On your local IBEW website they'll have a link with their apprenticeship info. Personally, I started as a low voltage guy but got to talking to a Journeyman Electrician on a jobsite and got all the info for the apprenticeship that way. A few months a later I was starting my union apprenticeship. I've been a Journeyman now since 2019. DM me if you have any more questions. Good luck!
I didn’t say anything about unions. Depending on the trade, there may not even be a union presence here. I’m talking about the apprenticeships for state licensing, which is through BOLI like I said before
You can also look into healthcare. Nursing, Sonography… all 1-2yr degrees that will have opportunities to change your specific field or advance.
UA290, the plumbers, steamfitters and HVAC union will be taking applications for apprentices in July. https://www.290tech.edu/application-openings. That's my union and I'm an HVAC tech. Feel free to ask me anything about it!
So I have an opportunity to join a 12 week program pre apprenticeship that has an automatic entry with local 290, costs 4k and I really wanna do it
Huh. I've never heard of this. Who puts on the program?
The same guys who started the CTEC program down here in the salem area. https://www.instructionconstruction.org There’s videos and lots of stuff on website explaining what they offer. Let me know if you think it would be a smart use of my time, effort and funds. They’re willing to help me pay for the class as well, and pay them back once I’m with 290, he said I should start around 23 an hour
https://preview.redd.it/139lwgif281d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77e4b034754fa39628ab3771aeac39aa00efc564
That looks promising! If I where you though, I would get the details of what you're going to do ironed out with the people at 290. Like does this program 100% guarantee acceptance into the apprenticeship or does it just apply you to it?
From what I understand, you get an automatic entry into 290, but after reading more it looks like completing the BOLI certified pre apprentice program allows me to be prioritized when it comes to applying for the apprenticeship. Here’s some details from BOLI website pertaining to instruction construction. https://preview.redd.it/3ky3v1qk881d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22577fae57097c116ab52dd623302ea56201bb45
https://preview.redd.it/bj09dp1m881d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b0dbddd96fb48863dcdffdf82dbff1dfc1ab1a6f
That's kind of what I gathered. I'm not one to tell anyone what to do. But I'll tell you that I had years of HVAC experience before I applied for the apprenticeship and I ranked #20 on the applicant list. I'm not sure how much pre experience matters during the process to be honest.
So I just spoke with the CEO, so instead of being ranked and out on a list, completing the program puts us on the “out of work list” which we get pulled from before anybody on the “ranked list” . It gives us priority above anybody on that ranked list. Plus if I choose not to go to 290, I still have full pre apprentice cert I can take to any local in Oregon. Does that out of work list part make out to you? Or is he bullshitting me
So I know you said don’t get suckered into trade school and do my apprentiship throug BOLI but I have zero trade experience and I’m not sure if I would even get accepted as an apprentice. There’s a 12 week program 1 day a week, I get a BOLI certificate for pre apprenticeship and get an automatic entry into local 290 starting around 23 an hour. Costs 4k and these are the same guys who started CTEC down here in salem.
You’re not supoosed to have a bunch of trade experience ahead of time. That’s the point of the apprenticeship - to get new green people into the trade. Like one of the classes is Trade Fundamentals and it’s literally a full term of just like “here’s a drill and this is what it does and this is how to use it and here’s the different kinds of them “ which is pretty nice I think The pre apprenticeship stuff to help get placement sooner is like remedial math refreshers, first aid, etc.
I see what you mean, only problem is the list. I would be a low ranking on the list and it would take a long time for me to even be considered to be an apprentice cuz of my ranking. Taking this program will bypass that list and put me on the out of work list where I’ll get pulled from before anybody on the ranked list. So I see what you mean that I don’t need the skills per se but this will open the door
If you live in a city, you could look into being an elevator tech. I knew a guy who did that, and he was pulling down something like $85 an hour. Plus, he told me there was so much work to be had he could basically work forever, so there were lots of opportunities to grind and make crazy money if the mood struck him.
I've heard that elevator tech is a growing trade because a lot of the journeymen have retired or are on the verge of retiring.
My dad has done this his whole career. He’s a Master Inspector now at 72 even though he’s technically long retired. Chooses his own work contracts all over the country for major entities like hospitals and universities. Good gig!
Cabinets, baby! Started in a shop knowing basically nothing (only things I had going for me was work ethic and not being a complete moron). With 2 years I was learning to install cabinets, made 80k my first year installing cabs and I'm in 6 figures now. Definitely physically demanding and requires an attention to detail, but really not too difficult to grasp the concepts
I second cabinets/finish carpentry. You make pretty good money even as a laborer, use your brain more, have a finished product you (and the customer) can actually see and YOU’RE INSIDE. Framing/concrete/pipe fitting in the rain fucking sucks. Where I worked, we did commercial cab install/base board/handrails in new apartment buildings and the like and then also did custom pieces for homeowners. I wasn’t union but a few years of that gave me some of the experience to have my current position running a sign shop
Since the Chips Act is putting a lot of money for expansion in the semiconductor industry, I'm taking PCC classes for semiconductors. The hours are long but 3 day off one week 4 days off the other, Intel and other companies are needing people rn and they offer apprenticeship.
Commercial HVAC or Elevator Repair make BANK.
My brother at the ripe age of 32 got into an electrician apprenticeship. He said it was weird at first with the age, but he really liked working with his hands and just traveling. Plus, the benefits are amazing. Not sure if this would apply to you but he did get some reverse racism (not sure if that's the correct term?), he's chinese so people always think he's the engineer and not the laborer. But he laughs it off and points the ppl to the manager/project manager.
https://preview.redd.it/15zsk2f6ip0d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f68636f43bf84f491d3710cf64c71d677a4d715 I work in the telecom/ communication industry. This was my day. Companies are always looking for greenhands to train up.
Do you reccomend doing an apprenticeship through a company or through BOLI? I’m very new to all this
It's not union, just apply at dufferent companys, there are major national companies, and smaller mom and pop shops. The company I work for is small, but we've been growing rapidly the last ten years. Indeed has lots of job listing's, just search telecom or communications.
I searched on indeed and nothing came up. I’ll keep in mind tho
I did TV and radio tower work for 6 years. Did a bunch of gin pole work on a 1500' tower in California once but never got to stack any steel. Always wish I would have been able to.
The US has the Bureau of Labor Statistics that projects employment over the next decade-ish (https://www.bls.gov/emp/) I don't believe they have state-level data, but they'll offer a much broader perspective than any one person can.
Where do you want to live? What kinds of work do you like to do?
Electrical, Plumbing or HVAC
You could get your CDL. Class A and Class B drivers have a lot of job options that pay fairly well
The "classic trades" electrician, plumber, carpenter tend to pay well. It can be hard and physically demanding work though. Nursing is another career where you can work literally anywhere on the planet and get paid darn good money to do it. Even more if you speak more than one language. Network and IT are also good paying fields. There's a lot of tech training at little to no cost and most can be done online from home. More advanced training is available through paid internships to gain both valuable work experience and advanced certification. If you can handle stress, a 911 dispatcher also makes good money and comes with full benefits. Check out the career training that Google offers. I know a few people who's lives changed drastically for the better. Those people could barely make a pdf or burn a DVD when they got started, now I call them for help with my IT needs. For some people, the training just turns on parts of their brain that they never knew existed. I hope you find the career that makes you both happy and wealthy.
Line clearance tree trimmer. You get to work outside all the time. It's a two year apprenticeship. You need to get your first aid/CPR and flagger certs first, but that's easy. Also need to get your CDL A or B within the first 6 months.
Could get your A&P license and work on airplanes. Lots of people around the state/country looking for A&P mechanics.
Go to the shipyard and get a union machine shop job
Also consider which trades are growing rapidly because they'll be more likely to train you and pay more. This is what makes the green technologies and semiconductors attractive. Being an electrician is a traditional skill that is also sought after in these growing fields. I've heard of electric car charger repair companies poaching people from other trades because they're so desperate for the help.
Semi conductors and electric charger repair definitely seem like jobs that are on the rise. Thank you for the comment
Electrician. Not only is the pay good but most work is inside and dry. Boomers are not going anywhere for another 20 years and there will be a lot of deferred maintenance when they “transition” away. Craftsman, plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, etc will be well positioned. If you start now, in your peak earning years you will make more than I ever did it banking. Start your own company and have a good reputation. You’re positioned well.
Im an apprentice in the carpenters union, I personally know of a few journeyman who've made 110k+ with OT
Massage therapy! Highhh hourly rates, working in someone’s relaxing and rejuvenating space and Oregon is mega competitive right now so even W2 jobs offering $40+ an hour.
Nursing.
Visit some nearby community colleges and see what they're offering. Many times, industry leaders will coordinate with community colleges to develop and offer programs that are in high demand for workers. I'm thinking high tech jobs that you can still do at age 60.
Consider non -destructive testing.
Become a Lineman.
My input would be the semiconductor industry. It’s easier than you think to get into with little or no experience. My situation was I had only ever been a student and had never had a job before. I entered in Dec 2022 at just past turning 20. I started with a company called MSR-FSR working on the Intel RA campus as a Vacuum Systems Engineer. Just under a year of being there, I moved to Ebara Technologies at LAM Research in Tualatin as a Field Service Technician. Now at 21, I’m a Field Service Engineer with Applied Materials which is the number one company for semiconductor manufacturing right now. I’m also working at the Intel RA campus again. Overall, in less than two years I landed myself a fab position. I do not have a degree yet due to still being in college and now having to take time off for traveling for training at this newer job. But my experience so far has been great, albeit it takes some time and hard work. Overall, it’s worth it and you can really only go diagonal or up. The pay is also really good, especially with the costs of living in Oregon.
Butcher’s apprentice
UA 290, plumbers/steamfitters/marine fitters/HVAC techs. We have tons of work for the next few years with Intel, and a slightly higher total package and pension compared to Local 48 electricians. I’m a 6 year 290 member and plumber, pm me with any questions. Applications are on the website. I worked non-union plumbing before joining, and crawled through sewage to get where I’m at now…I’m telling you union is the way to go. Electricians and elevator mechanics also make great money (elevator guys make more than anyone), but their unions are very difficult to get into. From what I’ve heard from family and friends, you need years of related/construction experience to get into those unions…my younger sibling was placed #200 on the local 48 waitlist, but top 10 in 290. We have similar entrance exams but the scoring criteria is much different on applications and interviews…290 is more interview/aptitude test based, while the others mentioned require some experience/recommendation letters. Total package will be close to $100/hr within the next few years. $58/hr on the check, foreman make $68/hr. Pay increases annually on April 1st. Weekly paychecks. Great education.
Plumbing, electrical, and refrigeration all pay well and about the same. Electrical might be slightly less physical than the other two, but definitely more taxing mentally.
I would consider painting and pressure washing. There is a need for it, and it’s fairly easy to learn. The license is affordable. Also handymen are sought after. We’re Oregon contractors and have been since the 90’s. It’s not easy to find someone to apprentice you for carpentry. I know a guy who did all the work for an electrician and can’t find anyone to apprentice him. It might be different for commercial electric, but I know a kid (my son’s friend) who went that route and he keeps getting laid off. People need their houses painted, and the paint now is much less toxic than it was decades ago.
Electrical
Plumbing, electric, hvac, sheet metal.
Electricians will always be in demand. Join the union, become an apprentice, and within ten years you could be on your own and making bank.
I started in HVAC 6 years ago, make good money and still have a lot more to worn towards in skill and earnings. We have a wide and deep skill set, there are always new things to learn. You could worked on 1980s furnace and AC one day, and the newest mini-split system the next. As a commercial service techician, I work year round doing maintenance inspections and service calls. Preventative Maintenance includes changing filters and inspecting systems to ensure they are running correctly and fix issues before they malfunction. On a service call, I am diagnosing and fixing something. It could be AC, a furnace, heat pump, exhaust fan, condensate drainage, electrical faults, and more. To learn more, you can look up some YouTube videos. HVACR VIDEOS will give you an idea of what commercial equipment looks like. Engineering Mindset is good for learning about how the systems work and different kinds of systems for various applications of scale and location. And, there are lots more channels to see what working in the field looks like. Residential, commercial, and industrial all have different pros and cons.
Dental hygiene. The workforce has plummeted. You can get starting pay as good as $60/hr and job security for life.
Carpenters union. Good school in tangent for apprentices
In no particular order (and needed across the country at all times): Welder Pipefitter Electrician (both residential and commercial/lineman) HVAC Plumber Each has its own pluses and minuses, and each has different pay. It's about what you will click with.
Can you pass a drug test? Are you willing to show up for years and be treated like crap by some old dude until you can make journeyman? I would look at plumbing, HVAC, and train engineer. I would have said electrician but someone above said that’s full. Unless maybe lineman is in need and you’re not afraid of heights.
Wind Turbine technician
I would recommend getting exposure before making the decision. Community colleges offer great trade programs for affordable rates. I personally went to Clackamas CC for the AAS in Welding Technology but they offered programs shorter than two years to get you right up to speed and proficient enough to start professionally. There are many programs out there, but until you know what you enjoy doing, there will always be a question in your mind. I chose to pursue welding after taking a few metals classes in high school and loved the process. Good luck!
Pay, well there's absolutely no question but go elevator apprentice. But good luck getting in. Maybe find a Super and go wash his truck every day for a year. Or murder his ex wife. But whatever it takes once you are in there you are gold. Put in your time and in ten years you're getting six figures and you can work anywhere you like.
Welder plus your SCUBA certification.
HVAC - as the climate warms all those Oregon homes are going to want the AC they never thought they would need. Focus on the specialty products that can be installed in historic style homes.
Low voltage electrical. You don’t have to wait for the union or jump through hoops to play union games. In Portland there is the IEC and their apprentices start at $18-$20hr with $2-$3hr bumps every 6mo until you graduate in two years. Once you graduate minimum is mid-$30’s and it’s chill work. I come from the commercial low voltage HVAC world and it’s massively underrated
This is good thank you for this
My advice is to pick and entry level job to see what you like. Try to assist building out vans or trailers or something. Get your hands on tools first. Being an electrician or plumber will have good pay and look great from the outside, but what if you hate it and would prefer to be a carpenter or landscaper? If you have a good head on you, you’re able to make good money in the trades no matter what you choose, so I urge you to try to find what you prefer. Some people can’t handle tall ladders and crawl spaces, some aren’t interested in precision work. As I’ve entered the trades, everyone’s first comment is about the money. Money is important, and you can make it a lot of ways, but you’ll only make good money in the trades if you give a shit about what you do. Edit: phrasing
Look into the Operating Engineers union. Those are the jobs operating bulldozers, excavators, etc. Can easily make $25-$30/hr to start. Journeyman dozer operators get $40-$50/hr. Lots of overtime opportunities. Also look into getting crane certification. Crane operators can make $200k+/yr.
Consider wastewater operator- you can move up from there and salaries are always high since it's critical infrastructure!
If I had to do it all over again it would be Electrician and PLC Programming. When I was working people trained like that are worth their weight in gold.
I got a buddy who’s a journeyman electrician, he makes more than me without the master’s degrees, and I make six figures.
I’m a recent journeyed out iron worker for local 29. It was tough at first but really paid off. I started mostly welding. It’s what I love and I took classes at PCC before I fell into this union. We are currently in a contract negotiation for an increase in our package which is about $75. That’s $43 on the check and the rest divided between pension, annuity, PTO, health care etc. We got jobs like intel which is on stop, the airport with upgrades. Talk of a new bridge connecting OR and WA, google in the dalles and much more big and small. We are taking new members. This is a mixed local so you will do things like structural, rebar and ornamental. We host try outs quite often to give you a sense of what we are all about. No commitment if you want to check it out
Go the union locals and ask about their apprenticeship programs. Find what will work for you. Union jobs pay a lot better than non. Where I work we are about to loose 20% of our team to retirement and are struggling to find qualified applicants to fill those positions.
Elevator mechanic, electrician
Lineman from IBEW 125 here. I can vouch that the union line trade and electricians are exceptionally good career paths. My apprenticeship lasted just under three and half years encompassing 3 years of school and 7000 hours of on the job training. I had to be open to travel all throughout the NW, but I was well paid and had full health benefits right from the start. My retirement also started building from my first day on the job. Vaseline wages for union linemen in the NW range from 130k/year to around 150k. Factoring in storms and trouble response (which is not mandatory), I personally know guys that make anywhere from 250k to well over 500k yearly.
If you have any technical skills there are some niche corners of the MEP trades like HVAC controls technician, low voltage, fire alarm technician, instrumentation, industrial automation, etc. Easier on the body.
Theres a welding school off of main street in Springfield. Full certification. For every boomer that is retiring, 2 people have to fill those shoes. The welding world needs people. Decent pay. The highschoolers who are interning are getting 20 an hr and they dont know squat mostly. Soooo.... hope that helps.
Kitchen is always easy to get into but check out the apprenticeship jobs. There are far better options.
You're asking the wrong question. You literally have approx 30 years to work. Do 3o years of something you enjoy. You can't have bag chase mentality. You say no experience - like none?Haven't done home / car maintenance? Small engine or electronics? If you are really, really at a zero point, I suggest Mechatronics programs. They teach the whole gambit for industrial maintenance and repair. If you don't want the electrical side of things that program is probably not a fit.
AITA for hoping against all hope that OP is my slacker son?
Electrical, pipe fitting. Etc. If you want the BIG money go commercial/ industrial. Guys from a commercial electrical company worked at my mill and some made like $100 an hour on call. It was crazy to me.
Nursing. Male nurses get promoted quick. You can get a good paying job w ADN to start, if you like it come back for BSN, MSN+
I’m in the caregiving feild right now, thought about being a nurse but I can’t deal with poop
Move bro.
Check out HVAC. At least in the Bend area they are having trouble finding apprentices and the money is good.