The construction industry has put food on the table and provided nice lives for generations of people. However, the workforce faces a dwindling pool of skilled tradespeople and people willing to do manual labor.
My journey through construction has not been linear and ebbed and flowed at several different points. Mainly, because I was a shithead that really liked other shitheads, which is who I found on and off job sites. Starting as a roofer, then moving to drywall finishing, and eventually balancing night school to have a career in consulting. I’ve seen the ins and outs of the trades both union and non-union, which can be both rewarding and demanding, and is a reflection of the grit and determination required to succeed.
The industry is at a crossroads. The shrinking talent pool threatens the future of a skilled workforce, highlighting the need to attract and retain new workers. Many wonder about the true state of the industry: Do the guys just stand around and play on their phones or lean on a shovel? How much can you really earn as a union worker versus non-union? Does anyone know that tradesman make a second income moonlighting on side work? How to maximize your income while navigating the challenges of an ever fluctuating economy?
By digging into my own story, I hope to answer these questions and provide a behind the scenes look into what no textbook can explain. I am going to use some real stats, life lessons, and tips that can help maximize both your potential and your paycheck in construction.
From Apprentice to Journeyman and Beyond
My journey in construction didn’t follow a life plan. It began in high school when life hit me, and I needed an income. Growing up in a religious cult, I decided at 15 that it wasn’t for me and struck out on my own. I started as a laborer cleaning up shingle roofs, moved on to working in a roofing supply yard, and eventually gained experience with a custom home builder.
By 19, after a failed stint studying computers, thanks tech bubble, I was working as a union roofer making $28/hour full scale. While the money was good, since I had previous experience in high school, only problem, I hated the work. Spending long hours on scorching rooftops and dealing with brutal weather, which doesn’t allow you a full pay check when it rains or snows.
My roommate saw my issues and suggested I try taping drywall. I decided to take his advice. Then after smoking a bunch of weed, I met with and interviewed with the riding boss of a union shop, which went well because he offered me a job on the spot. What can I say I was charming or maybe just lucky. However, before I could start I had to figure out how to pass a piss test, but unbeknownst to me all the union guys had a hack, the whizzinator. Once that was done and I got my union card, I started a three-year apprenticeship which in 2006 started at $14/hour plus benefits so all in about $35/hour.
Those early days as a drywall finisher were a steep learning curve. Unbeknownst to me, the company carried a lot of prestige, having been established for the St. Louis 1904 World’s Fair construction work. This legacy meant the workers took great pride in the company’s reputation.
Apprenticeships are a rite of passage, much like joining a fraternity, and hazing was part of the culture. My first encounter with this came when the crew set me up by assigning me the “wrong” seat, which sparked heated words. I was forced to stand my ground and take an aggressive verbal stance, even might have threatened physical harm. Ironically, this earned me the respect of the older guys, and from that day forward, I was on my way to becoming a journeyman. Also, I made the mistake of mentioning that I was taking night classes, which led to weeks of punishment, cleaning buckets and hauling drywall compound, a lesson in how vindictive bosses can be when they think you’re not fully committed to the trade.
Apprenticeships are a rite of passage, much like joining a fraternity, and hazing was part of the culture.
I found my rhythm, made friends, and also moonlighted on side projects to make ends meet and perfect my craft quicker. After the three years of long hours on a casino and hospital projects, and a couple jerk off bosses, I got my journeyman card and was making about $35/hour about $70/hour full package. Completing my apprenticeship at the same company solidified my place as one of the “company guys,” and when layoffs hit in mid-2009, I was one of the last to go.
Stats Tell Some of the Story
Let’s talk numbers. According to Statista, the average construction wage in the U.S. as of 2021 was $24.28 per hour for non-union workers and $32.28 per hour for union workers. That’s an 33% pay bump for union membership—a solid argument for joining the ranks.
In New York, where I’ve spent the last 15 years, construction workers fare even better. ZipRecruiter reports that the average hourly wage for construction workers in New York is $27.53, with some earning as much as $44.44 per hour.
This tracks based on what good non-union mechanics make, and typically union workers usually make 30% more not including a healthy benefits package. These figures provide a superficial view of earning potential in construction, but your actual paycheck depends on your skills, experience, and hustle.
The Good, The Bad, and The Reality
Union gigs are often thought of as the gold standard. The pay is higher, the benefits are solid, and you’ve got a hiring hall to find work, as long as there is work. But union work also comes with its own set of hurdles, including get into a trade. I was fortunate when I was young to have union connections because my father and all my friends fathers worked in unions, which opened the door. I remember hearing stories of guys waiting years, especially during an economic downturn, to get into a union.
When times are good, your overtime (OT) check can easily surpass your weekly base pay, with union OT starting at a minimum of 1.5 times your base wage, sometimes even 2 times or more on holidays. I knew plenty of guys who relied on OT to fund their lifestyle, but that turned out to be a shitty strategy. When economic downturns hit, like during the Great Recession, they were left vulnerable. I saw friends and coworkers lose homes, cars, and their financial stability almost overnight.
The Other Side
Non-union work offers flexibility and often quicker access to jobs, but it comes with significant trade-offs. Savvy guys use non-union jobs as a stepping stone to gain a union card or cut out years from an apprenticeship. I’ve also seen skilled non-union workers hustle their way to solid earnings, but success depends heavily on being in the right trade and working with the right contractor.
Generally, there aren’t 401ks or hefty benefit packages available either. However, non-union contractors are usually in rural areas, cities without a union presence, or a niche within a large city that the union can’t fill, which means workers don’t have the opportunity for OT nor the lows of cyclical unemployment. This is partially because the non-union guys don’t have the same overhead and entry costs that union contractors have to contend with.
The darker side of non-union work is the lack of worker protections, which is often limited or even non-existent. Currently, there is a boom in many repair and restoration-oriented construction sectors, so the amount of shady behavior that I’ve been hearing about has decreased. However, during economic slowdowns, the risks become much greater.
I’ve heard of contractors hiring workers with promises of cash payment, only to deliver on a portion of what was agreed upon. One particularly brazen contractor, that I heard about, went as far as printing fake pay stubs, claiming taxes were being withheld. When workers went to file their taxes, they discovered no payments had been made, which left them to sort out the mess. .
Side Hustle Can Pay—If You’re Smart
During my union years, side jobs were a way to make extra cash. Typically, these were coordinated through other trades on job sites. In the early days pre-great recession it was homeowners fitting out a basement or garage to flip their home.
Once the recession hit, I got laid off, and had a solid line of commercial rehabilitation work, with a group of ambitious guys looking to take advantage of the availability of labor. I then hired my boss, and suddenly my side hustle became my main gig.
I ended up making more money and keeping most of my drinking buddies busy with work. Of course, there were challenges, freelancing in construction means you’re always at risk of not getting paid or someone trying to lowball you. But what doesn’t kill you…well, you know the rest.
One key lesson I learned was to always ensure your upfront payment covers all initial costs and leaves some profit for your pocket. My journey became one of freelancing in construction by day and pursuing my undergraduate studies by night, which eventually led me to a consulting job that I still hold today.
Tips to Boost Your Construction Wages
- The Trade Matters: Specializing in a high-demand skill, like electrician, plumber, or roofer, makes you indispensable. Trades like plumbing, roofing, and drywall finishing opens up the doors for side work. Elevator mechanics and equipment operators during good times are always in demand and can choke on the OT.
- Union Membership Pays: If you can get in, the long-term benefits of union work outweigh the hurdles. Check with your network of friends to see if there are any connections to a union member that can get you in. There are some trades like elevator mechanic that have an open test that allows entry.
- Stay Sharp, Stay Educated: Moonlighting can double your income, but you need to treat it like a business. I was in college when I did most of my side work, and learned some helpful habits from my schooling. There are plenty of books, videos, and massive open online courses (MOOCs) for helpful financial tips and training with word, excel, and other helpful software.
- Keep up with the Times: Unions have schools and tend to keep up with trends and certifications. Non-union workers should pay attention to new materials, techniques, and certifications that can keep you ahead of the pack and in demand.
- Location, Location, Location: If you want to maximize your income think about living in or around an urban area. This will create opportunities for union work and will also allow provide opportunities for side work.
The Hard Truth
Construction isn’t for the faint of heart, whether it is job site shenanigans or the nature of hard work. Whether you’re or want to be union, non-union, or hustling side jobs, it’s a constant battle to prove your worth and get paid what you deserve. The good news? If you’re willing to put in the work and play smart, this industry can reward you handsomely. Top guys are always employed and when a door closes a window will open. Also, over my twenty-year career there are fewer and fewer young people entering the trades, which will force up wages and keep you in demand. So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, just remember to listen, learn, and push on.
Ryan H.