Highest paying specialty?

[Littlespark99]

Good morning everyone,

I'm new to the forum so firstly hello I am currently training to become an electrician however I'm undecided as to what kind I should be. I currently have my level 2 City and guilds + ecs card and am working towards my level 3. I have a few weeks experience in domestic wiring (I've just started thanks to my teacher recommending me to someone). I've thought a lot about getting into rail or UPS or even test related kind of work but I've yet to talk about this to someone who knows what they're talking about. My main concern is money and career progression. I'd like to at least be earning 40k take home a year by the time I'm 30 (I'm currently 18), ideally about 80-100k+ by the time I'm 40. These are just some personal goals and obviously don't need to be met I just need to know the best possible path to get there. I enjoy electrical work so I'm not fussed too much about what kind as long as the pay is good. Also I'm a little stressed as I was told it'd be much more difficult to find an apprenticeship after I turn 19 which is soon, should I be worried? I would greatly appreciate any advice given. If you have any questions please let me know.

Thank you

 

[Brian Taylor]

Sorry to be brutal but 15K a year is what I earn.....I think minimum wage is a lot less. I've been through this discussion on another tread and have had the same response..I certainly don't know if any basic spark. That earns 45K..the norm in this area is about 23K max

 

[Deuce]

Sorry to be brutal but 15K a year is what I earn.....I think minimum wage is a lot less. I've been through this discussion on another tread and have had the same response..I certainly don't know if any basic spark. That earns 45K..the norm in this area is about 23K max

I haven't checked min wage for quite a while but I'm sure that several years ago it was at least 14k for 21+

May I ask what age you are and how many hours you put in? I totally understand if you don't want to share, but it's hard to make anything of your input without knowing.

 

[Brian Taylor]

yes I'm now 63 and normally do a 5 day week

 

[Deuce]

yes I'm now 63 and normally do a 5 day week

I could take this as an opportunity to make a point about what minimum wage would be. But I won't. What I will say is that at your time in life, and the doubtless experience you have over that time, someone is taking the p*ss by paying you £15k a year.

I'm sure many others will read this and agree. It's a nonsense salary for anyone working a full week in a trade that requires care and knowledge.

EDIT: Read back through and it's not clear if you're on payroll or self employed. Just to be clear though, my view is the same either way. You're well below a reasonable income for a tradesman working a full week.

 

[Brian Taylor]

Yes this view is what other treads have said...I am S/E because I have to be...companies do not employ people in the cards these days especially at advanced age.....I assume it's the same all over..would love to get into some branch of the trade that paid a reasonable rate but never quite figured it out.....any suggestions welcome

 

[Deuce]

Yes this view is what other treads have said...I am S/E because I have to be...companies do not employ people in the cards these days especially at advanced age.....I assume it's the same all over..would love to get into some branch of the trade that paid a reasonable rate but never quite figured it out.....any suggestions welcome

You're obviously very happy to be direct about your earning and position, so I won't fanny around either, I will just give you my view.

You're quite right, you are less employable as at your age you're not a future investment for a firm - so of course you realise that and go S/E. I think the mistake has been to set your rates at what I can only assume is based on the rates in the early 90's.

Let's do the maths:

Say you work 48 weeks a year, 5 days a week. That is £312 a week. Or £62 per day. I can't imagine what electrical job you could do that would take an entire day and only be worth £60 to your customer!

I think there is a positive here. You can pretty much double your prices starting from tomorrow. No one will care because so long as you do a good job and solve the customers problem, they will be happy regardless of cost - whether they pay you £60 or £120 for your days effort. In either case, it's probably less than they would have expected.

 

[123]

@Brian Taylor How many hours a week do you work, and what is the normal hourly rate? £15,000 is extremely low for a spark even here in Northern Ireland, I was earning more on the cards about 15 years ago over here.

 

[Brian Taylor]

Thankyou for the advice...I'm not too sure how I'm going to explain a doubling of my rate to my customer.....I think from a distance lol.....I would be greatful to hear from those who manage to command an income of £45K or more as to what field of the trade they are in....it seems i have lost my way as far as remuneration is concerned.

 

[Brian Taylor]

Maybe I will have to go back to college to update my qualifications....yet again lol

 

[Deuce]

Thankyou for the advice...I'm not too sure how I'm going to explain a doubling of my rate to my customer.....I think from a distance lol.....I would be greatful to hear from those who manage to command an income of £45K or more as to what field of the trade they are in....it seems i have lost my way as far as remuneration is concerned.

I'm sure you can appreciate that to earn £45k you have to be a bit lively, and you're probably not interested in running around that fast anymore.. But as for £30k (so doubling the current), that's totally realistic.

The 'customer' will understand. If you have regular customers it might be that you're a bit more gentle and let them know you will increase your prices moderately each year until you're back on track. But for new customers... Double what you charged yesterday and you will still be competitive.

And to give you the answer you need most: Yes, you are definitely out of touch with remuneration. Feel no guilt about a price increase - I'm being as realistic about your age as you are when I say it's time to double up. You would still be a good deal by most people's standards.

 

[Brian Taylor]

Many thanks for that advice...I must admit you are the first person in this site to offer constructive criticism..for which I am greatful

 

[Deuce]

Many thanks for that advice...I must admit you are the first person in this site to offer constructive criticism..for which I am greatful

Brian, I have benefited from the advice of various old duffers such as your good self over the years

It's pleasure to repay that in whatever way I can

 

[Brian Taylor]

That's very kind of you sir.

 

[DPG]

And stick around on the forum - it's a good place. You need thick skin though

 

[DefyG]

I think the £15K is what is officially declared!