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The blue collar workers I actually know do not make very good money. I was literally talking with my parents last night about my cousin's baby-daddy. He's worke
by silverquiet 2y ago
The blue collar workers I actually know do not make very good money. I was literally talking with my parents last night about my cousin's baby-daddy. He's worked in HVAC, painting, and now in warehouse door repair/maintenance (a speciality that I didn't know existed but makes sense given modern logistics). The last job is seen as a real career (with health insurance even), but he's unable to move out of his parents' house for some reason. He's had some problems, but as far as I know has worked full time for most of the last decade.
My brother is one of the most skilled carpenters that I know and did some really good home reno type work, but finally put his ME degree to use and got an engineering job that's construction adjacent. He was also amazed to get health insurance and paid time off.
Two examples among many that I know. I often see people on forums like this talking about how trades are a sure way to a middle class life, and I don't know what reality they're inhabiting.
- WalterBright 2y agoSkilled machinists are not like house painters. They get paid well.
- iJohnDoe 2y agoMaybe sometimes but generally not. Machine shops are a race to the bottom on competing for jobs/contracts. There are always exceptions though with everything It will truly be a crisis with the greybeards retiring and the knowledge they take with them.
- WalterBright 2y ago> Machine shops are a race to the bottom It's not a race to the bottom. It's movement towards where the Supply and Demand curves intersect. If it was a race to the bottom, skilled machinists would be paid minimum wage.