^ That is when you fill the tank with argon before you weld on it.

 

^That's if you have that option.

I'm not a welder but I work on Pipelines and in fuel terminals. It's not as big an industry here in NC as it is in say... Texas, but it is necessary, and dangerous and it pays well. Just don't do it till you spend time learning what not to do, in depth. I've known people who made a living doing what they were not supposed to do, but they were that good and made a butt-load of money for it.

 

I would do both. I am/was a diesel mechanic. I know longer do it anymore other then little side jobs. The market got real tough around here and there was no money to be made unless you have years of experience. There can be good money to be made in diesel mechanics just don't expect it until you have 5+ years experience under your belt. Some exceptions though like getting on with the right company that will train you and start you off at big bucks.

All the big dealers around here Perterbuilt, Freightliner, Volvo, Cummins, Cat, KW, etc.. require AT LEAST 3+ years experience to hire you on. That's making $12-$15 and hour. When I was in it I worked mainly with fleet operations but we were tied in with KW. One guy's there was making big bucks but he has been there 25 or so years. Most the others were around $16-$25 with 3-7+ years.

My advice is to learn all the electrical you can and then some. Learn to read schematics. Everything nowadays is that way or moving that way. Also learn hydraulics if you want to get in the equipment side.

It can be pretty fun work but for me it was more about where I worked. If you love the work but hate coming in everyday then it is not worth it.

 

I love electrical. Most interest in this tech. job...

 

just realize these people their telling you about who make six figures is not everyone who are in those fields. they are rare and the reason they get paid the big bucks is because they do their job well and work hard to where they could charge that much. you can't just come out of no where and expect to get paid $180/ hr.

i had a friend who was making 2k a week, but also working 80 hours, then work would dry up and he'd be back to 40 making less than a grand. he's now doing gov't welding making ~42k a year and only working 40 hours a week with decent benefits. he's 6 years into his career (started welded for a company at 16) if that helps you any.

 

Ditto^ With that pay comes experience and a reputation to be upheld. You will make $30-40K for 5 years starting out in either field, fact. Say all you want, yet you are learning the trade and with learning comes time. Time equals money, money equals the company "you" are working for going down the drain. Best to pick something you do not do as a hobby as than you will hate your hobby and less drive and look at it as a job in a few years. You can say, "NO" yet I know more people who turned their hobbies into carrers and hate life. I could turn wrenches for a living and make $100k, yet I get injured or something happens, I am easily replaced and out of work. You want to make money and lots of it, look at being a CEO of a company or even your own. Working for somebody else will make you "decent" money a far cry from "great" money IMO. Plus never "master" in one thing, that limits your knowledge about other things. "Jack of all, master of none" is my motto and works. I am diverse in quite a few fields and make "good" money at it.

 

both. moble unit guy

 

I have read all these posts many times, thanks for all the repleys! I do want to own my own shop because i believe thats where the most money is, but i will have to work for someone first. Im gonna be certified in both but i think i will persue diesel more. I say that anyway......ha

 

 

I'd say mechanic first, but if you can both. I kinda wish I had schooled myself while at home and having little responsibility. To say that's your situation, just going by your age. I think a lot more people are buying older trucks, obviously more prone to break so big dealerships aren't the only ones seeing the work and there is more of it to smaller shops. You'd find work but might have to re-locate.

 

what are the odds of another diesel related spam post bumping it again.

 

I don't know the odds but it figures somebody would have to spam this thread.

For those considering a high paying job and doesn't mind hard work, search Eagle Ford oil field jobs. They are literally screaming for help. All trades, drivers, welders, pipefitters, workover, you name it, they're looking for you. Most are centered around the Carrizo Springs and Cotulla area. Avoid any job from CNCC oil company unless you don't mind working for the Chinese.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=21&g...w=1670&bih=907

 

Spammers gone. Thanks glc, for reporting.

 

i weld for a living, im 28, married, have my own house, 3 dogs, one cat, four vehicles, no children......been welding for 5 years and lived at my moms house before then with nothing....although my wife works too, lol

 

Well we know who the snitch of the group is