Yes, it does sound like those jobs will be open for quite a while. I looked at the WG payscales and they don't seem to have much of a pay increase for the locality, unlike the GS payscales.
Auto Technician Compensation
- Thread starter The Critic
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Yes, it does sound like those jobs will be open for quite a while. I looked at the WG payscales and they don't seem to have much of a pay increase for the locality, unlike the GS payscales.
I thought federal pay scale was the same regardless of location, but I could be wrong.
The GS payscale has locality pay adjustments. The WG payscale does too, but the differences are much smaller.
Loyalty most of the time makes you poor especially in this field
You are young. Figure out what you want. It’s not too late and you are not too invested in what you got. Bank as much money in retirement (max it out if you have an 401k) and savings towards the future now while you live at home.
A different trade could be a better fit for you. Nothing wrong with becoming an HVAC tech, a plumber or electrician.
You are young. Figure out what you want. It’s not too late and you are not too invested in what you got. Bank as much money in retirement (max it out if you have an 401k) and savings towards the future now while you live at home.
A different trade could be a better fit for you. Nothing wrong with becoming an HVAC tech, a plumber or electrician.
I was once in Automechanics shoes a long time ago. I worked at a Honda dealer out of high school. I quit, went to Nashville Auto Diesel College, now known as Lincoln Tech Nashville. I got hired onto a mulch manufacture that also had a fleet dump trucks and had semi trucks and dump trailers in Florida. It afforded me a nice apartment and a new car.
I used that experience to get on at UPS and move back north. I make great money, get to retire at 57 and like my job.
If I wasn't at UPS, I would be at a city, township, state or public school system garage for the benefits. That is what being a diesel mechanic can get you into.
I don't deal with customers being a fleet mechanic which is a good thing.
People bring up being an HVAC tech. My elder brother was a commercial HVAC tech. He primarily did service work for restaurants, gas stations, carryouts. He hated it. He was expected to be a salesman instead of fixing things. He was expected to overcharge and generally rip customers off. He now works for a grocery chain as a refrigeration tech, is union making $44 an hour and he fixes things instead of trying to sell a 10 ton roof unit because it has a bad compressor.
And many HVAC guys and plumbers today that work at larger outfits try to sell customers a monthly service plan. So now you gotta meet a quota for that nonsense.
I used that experience to get on at UPS and move back north. I make great money, get to retire at 57 and like my job.
If I wasn't at UPS, I would be at a city, township, state or public school system garage for the benefits. That is what being a diesel mechanic can get you into.
I don't deal with customers being a fleet mechanic which is a good thing.
People bring up being an HVAC tech. My elder brother was a commercial HVAC tech. He primarily did service work for restaurants, gas stations, carryouts. He hated it. He was expected to be a salesman instead of fixing things. He was expected to overcharge and generally rip customers off. He now works for a grocery chain as a refrigeration tech, is union making $44 an hour and he fixes things instead of trying to sell a 10 ton roof unit because it has a bad compressor.
And many HVAC guys and plumbers today that work at larger outfits try to sell customers a monthly service plan. So now you gotta meet a quota for that nonsense.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
What’s an average day look like for you as a semi mechanic? Like average repairs, etc.
Heavy equipment is intimidating to a lot of people and so is industrial maintenance.
On the heavy side nothing is ever clean. It’s full of dirt, grease, coolant and material that the equipment works with. It’s not a clean job, exposed to the elements and everything is heavy to lift so you’ll be acquainted with rigging but you’re also under no time constraints to get the job done. It’s also dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing safety wise. Cribbing is vital. Bleeding hydraulic systems and locking the pivot points. Splitting a haul truck to replace pins and pivots is a bit sketchy the first time you do it.
Industrial maintenance is dangerous also. More so if you’re working with large electric motors and gear boxes. We had some motors that were 500hp but most were 250hp or less. Pumps and conveyor belts don’t stop immediately so safety is vital through the whole process. Electrical systems that run at 660 volts, better double check power when you lock it out and not care that your supervisor is giving you a funny look because he trusts a knife that exposed to gritty material and water.
Crap happens fast so always be aware.
Union job with full benefits is preferred. I know a journeyman plumber and electrician at a hospital making good money, both are union and get lots of side work from employees at hospital on their days off. Lots of very easy cash jobs and always busy.
I still believe AutoMechanic needs to look for other jobs.
Paid apprenticeships are a great way to learn and get foot in the door of a career.
I still believe AutoMechanic needs to look for other jobs.
Paid apprenticeships are a great way to learn and get foot in the door of a career.
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
I have no desire to join the military. Not something that interests me. I would prefer to stay a private citizen. Too many things to go on in the military.
It's a mix. I do PM's which there are 3 types. I do diagnostic and repair work along with brakes and tires. We have semis that run on diesel, LNG and CNG along with diesel spotter trucks. Some hubs have mechanics that work on everything including the parcel trucks.
There is a trailer side. Those guys do bodywork, too because semi trailers get banged up. Engine wise it's rare if I do anything other than valve adjustments. Tool wise under contract I'm required to furnish all of my tools except for impact tools larger than 1/2" drive and any saw blades, cutting wheels and drill bits. The tool allowance for the last contract was $250. I have to maintain a written inventory of my tools and provide them a copy incase of theft, damage or loss.
One sucky aspect is I need to maintain a CDL and am subject to random drug test. A Mustang GT wouldn't be a wise choice for me nor would smoking weed or getting a DUI.
Pay wise, I don't make much more than other mechanics, some might make more than me. Benefit wise its fantastic. I do pay union dues which is 2.5 hours a months. I pay $0 for health insurance.
Some people think the union protects lazy people-not at UPS.
I think the best thing that can happen to @AutoMechanic is to find a decent woman and buy a house someday.
OK, just wondering.
I know a company paying $25 an hour for apprentices, $30 an hour after six months but the guy only hires military Reservists and Guard.
Lots of opportunities on the service side of the business.
My grand niece recently graduated from the Marine Corps and is studying Computer Science in Oceanside. She is doing so well.
Another programmer in the family? Where did we go wrong?
I can’t even fathom a tech making 10% of shop rate. That is truly nuts.
Is he not still considered an apprentice?
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If that means using the correct filter, and actually putting Mobil 1 in when the customer paid for it, well worth it!
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No joke I think our population is 50k. We are a suburb of Phila. but I don't think there is much crime here, seriously. It would be curious to see if next year the salary shows up as 300 as I had thought it was. That would mean he exercised some sort of payout last year. Or, he just plain makes more than a radiologist!
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I put almost 11 years in at my last co. When I left, all they gave me was a set of Cross pens from BJ's Warehouse!
Still too low unless it’s his first day on the job
