Normally how much do plumbers make a year?

[tvguy]

I think at least one of the mega-plumbing firms here pays their plumbers close to minimum wage, but they earn a commission on what services they sell. They are big on "fixed" pricing from their price book. I had some work done and got a bid on it from them of $500. I gambled and went with another firm, paid $120 an hour for what ended up being 2 hours work....so $240 plus about $25 in parts. So there is huge pressure on the plumbers to up sell at the fixed price place.

 

[smokeyblue]

If you are willing to work hard and travel and literally and figuratively pay your dues you might be able to make some big bucks. If you plan on just working for a local outfit doing repairs or work as an in-house plumber, you aren't going to fare as well.

What we really need in Michigan is electricians! Demand is sky high!

 

[chartle]

I think at least one of the mega-plumbing firms here pays their plumbers close to minimum wage, but they earn a commission on what services they sell. They are big on "fixed" pricing from their price book. I had some work done and got a bid on it from them of $500. I gambled and went with another firm, paid $120 an hour for what ended up being 2 hours work....so $240 plus about $25 in parts. So there is huge pressure on the plumbers to up sell at the fixed price place.

Didn't one of the big muffler chains run into problems with this form of compensation?

 

[lizabu]

With any trade you just aren't going to make as much money working for someone else that you do if you're self employed. Self employed is not easy though. My DH is a painter and he used to work for other people and he didn't have to worry about tax deductions and insurance and all that stuff but he didn't get paid much. Now he works on his own but has to be very careful about all of that. Plus he has to always be available. And if you screw up and quote too low or have another issue you take the loss all by yourself. It does pay better though. But the pay can be sporadic. Maybe there's a big job this week and things are dry next week.

 

[tvguy]

Didn't one of the big muffler chains run into problems with this form of compensation?

Wouldn't surprise me.
I worked at Budget Rent a Car when I got out of college, and we got $1 commission for every person who bought collision damage waiver coverage, and $1 commission for everyone who bought medical coverage. When you're making $3 an hour (minimum wage was $2.90 back in 1979), that can add up to a big boost in pay if you sell a lot of coverage.

 

[chartle]

Wouldn't surprise me.
I worked at Budget Rent a Car when I got out of college, and we got $1 commission for every person who bought collision damage waiver coverage, and $1 commission for everyone who bought medical coverage. When you're making $3 an hour (minimum wage was $2.90 back in 1979), that can add up to a big boost in pay if you sell a lot of coverage.

It not exactly the same thing there is still some intrinsic value in what you sold . They were fixing things that weren't broken.

 

[tvguy]

It not exactly the same thing there is still some intrinsic value in what you sold . They were fixing things that weren't broken.

Well, I guess my view is skewed anymore. Our public schools have been busy fixing things that weren't broken.....but only because there is grant money available. The elementary school near me put a new roof on that had a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. 2 years later they ripped it off and had another new one put on. Their reasoning. " We don't know if there will grant money available 23 years from now when the first roof wears out, so we have extended the life of the roof by 2 years by replacing now when money is available"

Don't get me started on them replacing the fencing for the same reason.