Mike Rowe Roasts Critics Who Think “Welding Won’t Make You Rich” | TJHS Ep. 264 (CLIP)

[@timothykeith1367]

I've never met anyone who said they regretted learning to weld

[@fuggoff5277]

Yes but don't do it on a regular base.......your health will be greatful for it

[@fuggoff5277]

Schweißrauch birgt ein hohes Gefährdungspotenzial für die Gesundheit der Schweißer. Dieses ist abhängig von Schweißverfahren und Werkstoff. ... Das Einatmen von Schweißrauch bei der Verarbeitung von Chrom (VI)-Verbindungen, Blei-, Titan- oder Nickeloxiden kann sogar bis zu Krebs führen.04.12.2016

[@HistoricChanges]

I'm thinking about buying some welding gear and learning the craft. I like to do my own handyman work. I'm 53 and an IT manager with a BS in Comp Sci and an MBA.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

@@HistoricChanges I had a broken seat bracket in a vintage BMW I was restoring. The upholstry on the seat was perfect so I didn't want to skin the seat. I bought a wire feed welder and covered the fabric in the area if the bracket. One 2 second zap fixed it. Having never had one, I find that I use that welder a dozen times a week now. Edit...I was 60 when I bought the machine.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

@@fuggoff5277 That's why I became a cop

[@joelegrand5903]

I worked for 37 years as a welder/mechanic, who raise two childern, paid my house off early & retired at 59 years old with a 401K & IRA with the total of one half million dollars & ten acres of land. It is never how much you make, it how much you save.

[@sitka49]

or spend

[@annmariemichael1928]

We have been fulltime RV'ers for years because of Richards skillsets. Its wonderful to see this country and pick and choose jobs according to your schedule not others. College didn't get us a 5th wheel and a nice truck and a lot of tools for Richard. Fulltime RV'ers, Rolling Tradesman !!

[@johnplies2778]

50+k welder here, and only 9 years in

[@Tbob17]

It’s not what you make, it’s how you spend it .... or don’t spend it

[@Maxumized]

Yup!

[@jacksonduvall7504]

I started off my work history as a welder. I made easy 6 figures every year (12 years). I now am an inspector and I made $217k last year. I also started flipping houses, using the money I saved in the industry. I'm on my second house this year, which will make me a nice $60-70k profit. I never finished college. I don't have rich parents. I never got any help at all. I'm also a convicted felon (non-violent drug offense). I am a testament to what Mike Rowe talks about. Don't give up, and work hard. BTW, I live in Texas, with TX wages, not Steamfitter local union 638 NYC wages.

[@victorcontreras3809]

@Jackson Duvall Any advise on picking a skilled trade? I've been wanted to but can't decide which one to pick up.

[@Gopherll]

@@victorcontreras3809 pipe welding. Generally most money and highest in demand trade. In my experience anyway

[@jenifercaterton78]

Pipe welding, but heavy fab construction 12 hour days 7 days a week bought me a ranch at 28.

[@benb6801]

I’m currently a pipe welder in the union rite now and have been taking some serious thought into becoming a welding inspector how do I go about doing that though do I need to attend college and is there a lot of work where I don’t have to travel for it I live in the SoCal area about a hour away from LA

[@jenifercaterton78]

@@benb6801 I know many people who went from Heavy Fab to weld inspector, they took a short course paid by work. Of course in my country Heavy Fab is a 4 year apprenticeship which can be done in 3 if you get the hours and do the paper work, pipe welding, some machining, rigging, fitting etc is all part of the apprenticeship.

[@chcarroll5164]

"Welding Won't Make You Rich" say a thousand baristas with graduate degrees.

[@monzon529]

Agreed

[@johnbrooke6867]

I've known many baristas and they never say anything remotely like that. Many of them would happily weld or take ANY job that paid 150k. What I HAVE heard many baristas say is that Working Class people tend to tip better than wealthy people who seem to just expect great service simply because they feel they are royalty of sorts. Not all degrees are worthless and not all welders are good workers. I had an unemployed "welder by trade" who ripped my door off it's hinges and stole are my valuables so he and his friends could go do drugs or whatever it was that they were doing. I have to assume he wasn't being offered 150k for his services.

[@stephendallasdraws2929]

Why do you think Starbucks offers to pay for college? They know where their future workforce is at haha. I have a degree in fine arts and work as an art director and marketer. I'm part of the 5% in my class that got that first gig and move forward in a creative career. Everyone I talk to in the creative industry talks about how "luck" and "timing" has everything to do with it. It's sad that hard work and beautiful designs won't cut it for everyone. I cut about 1/2 the cost of college by working as a Resident Advisor and as a gym attendant. I grew up building custom cabinets and always planned on that being my fallback if art didn't work out. I owed less than $30k in student debt and make around $50k in the field. I can make a lot more if I start contracting on my own, but I am content with the quiet, security of a 9-5 for the time being. I constantly dream about a day where graphic designers are trained on the job like trade-people instead of going to expensive art schools! The tech industry has started that practice already and a majority of the next generation of software developers will NOT be college grads.

[@stephendallasdraws2929]

@Get Help I have a few welder friends who make $120k+, but the video doesn't mention that they work 80 hours per week. Some of the more successful contractors I know went to art school and feel like their good taste is what keeps the clients coming. I think the long-hauling, college educated, baristas are really happy with their job and there's nothing wrong with that :)

[@stephendallasdraws2929]

@Get Help What I meant was, if it wasn't for double time, time and a half, and holiday pay, they'd only be making $20-25 an hour. They have to sell their souls to make the big bucks just like any other high paying profession. Know what I mean?

[@R0binah00d]

I swear on everything I love that Mike Rowe inspired me to become a welder. The time he went to congress and gave the speech starting with the story about his grandfather. He mentioned job sites were closing down because they didn’t have enough qualified welders. I was a bum, laying on my bed in my mothers basement jobless watching that video on my phone when I heard that. I then started getting my act together and went to welding school. I now make my living welding. It’s the best thing that ever happened to my life. And it’s ALLLLLLL thanks to Mike Rowe. Every chance I get I make sure people around me know Mike Rowe is why I’m a welder. Kinda like I’m doing right now. I’m literally scared to meet him because I want to tell him how much his message means to me and my life. And I know if I started to tell him my story I’d start crying and wouldn’t be able to get it out without literally blubbering. I’m a 33 year old man currently and I couldn’t stop it. Mike and his message has had such a positive impact on my life that I now positively help others around me. And I can never thank him enough for that. But I can try. Thank You so so so much Mike Rowe for being my Hero.

[@MrPanaramuh]

If you can get the chance...I'd say go for it. Meet him. If it were me I'd be upset if he passed and I didn't get the opportunity to tell him thank you. Just my opinion though on what I'd do.

[@R0binah00d]

@@MrPanaramuh I appreciate it buddy : ). My thing is I’ve met another celebrity who is very very very beloved by fans. Enough so I don’t feel comfortable sharing who it was because others would jump on me with the “NO WAY!YOUR LYING CUZ HE’D NEVER DO THAT!” However this beloved individual was extremely rude to me. Which made it so I could never enjoy this persons work the same way again. So the thought of me hysterical trying to cry out my story to Mike Rowe scares me. How long can you watch a grown man cry before you start to think something along the lines of “Goodness gracious man, Get yourself together!” It’s much easier for me to admire from afar where Mike never has to know how sensitive a Scarred up Tattooed out Metalhead can truly be when you hit him in the feels the way Mike has me. But I honestly do wanna thank you for the advice. It was very nice of you : )

[@369Sigma]

@@R0binah00d your story is inspiring, and I can relate. I’m 30, and only in the last 2 years did I start getting my shit together. Mike Rowe and Jordan Peterson we’re my inspirations. Mike helped me see the value in blue collar and honest work, and while I’m only making 45k-ish in my current position it’s leagues ahead of when I was working kitchens or retail. My work makes me happy, it requires some labor and a lot of ingenuity. I want to become a welder myself, trying to start classes next spring for it.

[@skynotaname2229]

I went a bit differently, I became a teacher. I don't make as much as if I had become a welder, but I do show my students his show and explain clearly that they don't have to go to college to be rich. I think if one of my teachers had taken the time to bring in workers from different trades or explained how they work I would have been far more interested when I was younger.

[@R0binah00d]

@BentoBuff Oh wow. Thank you so much for the reply. Sorry I'm months late. But honestly I just saw DIRTY JOBS HAS A NEW SEASON!!! IM SO HAPPY!!! I Had to come back here to watch some of the older stuff because Mike is my Hero and I saw your message. Thank you for the advice. If I ever meet Mike I'm absolutely going with the 1 Sentence Plan. If the conversation is on a timer Mike can't be too rude and I cant flood the basement with the Water Works. Thanks again, I hope all is well and it stays that way : )

[@agnostic47]

As dads have told sons for generations "learn a trade. You'll always make a living with a trade".

[@toddsnyder8682]

Heard it my whole life, now I'm a sheetmetal mechanic/welder at a fab shop. Make more money than my sister who spent 6 years in college.

[@josephjorgensen3282]

Learning trades sure keeps my family feed and housed can’t complain

[@jasonharrell8588]

I’m glad I learned a good trade, electrician, but wish he had told me to work for the state or government! I would be retired now and rich! 🤑

[@GORT70]

Exactly! Now......where’s the push for dad in the family.....?

[@oldwrench4213]

@@GORT70 Dad needs to avoid the family. Mom and her cohorts made the mess. Let them clean it up.

[@rustypwnismo7384]

The last full year before I retired at the age of 60. I gross $178,000. Used to practice welding on razor blade edges with TIG. Only 2 things that I can't weld. That's the Crack of Dawn, and a Broken Heart.

[@scottcped]

You sir are THE Boss!

[@joshhuskins5363]

How about a plumbers Crack? Lol

[@rustypwnismo7384]

@@joshhuskins5363 Use JB Weld for that.

[@joshhuskins5363]

@@rustypwnismo7384 lol might be a little hard to apply that to the material at hand

[@sarasotauptoseattle]

Wonderful answer!

[@codycushman2738]

I am a PhD chemist and hobby welder/blacksmith (also a former glazier). The white collar world doesn’t appreciate that it takes just as long to become skilled at a trade as it does to get an advanced degree.

[@CentralFloridaBowHunting]

Most of the time longer.

[@mattdg1981]

@@CentralFloridaBowHunting regardless of your profession if you think you're at the top of your game, youre wrong. You can always be better at what you do.

[@CentralFloridaBowHunting]

That’s why I said it takes longer.

[@dp9629]

Been welding 6 years and have known lots of older welders that have forgotten more stuff about welding than i have ever known lol takes years of experience to truly master the craft.

[@CentralFloridaBowHunting]

@@dp9629 yup, I feel like I never know enough about anything I try to learn 😂

[@darrylhuggins2423]

When I was in school learning to be a computer programmer almost 40 years ago, our teacher asked us why we chose this as a career path. A young lady said that she wanted to make a lot of money and she could either be a welder or a computer programmer. She said she didn't think she wanted to be a welder... Looking back, I should have gone across the hall and explored welding.

[@MckyeB]

its a different subject, but i know female welders who have had a hell of a time because shops wont hire them. Gendered jobs are a terrible thing, and while one outfit might say "we will hire anyone if they have the chops", thats admirable, but also not the norm.

[@Henry8VIII8]

I'm a computer engineer currently, starting to wish more and more that I had gone into welding instead. That way I could move back home to be with my family.

[@acow9966]

@@MckyeB you ever think that they might be bad welders, hmm?

[@MckyeB]

@@acow9966 troll

[@acow9966]

@@MckyeB so you didn't think of it then

[@thirdactwarrior317]

My Dad taught me to do basic electric stick welding and torch cutting when I was a teenager. I never tried to earn money with it, but I thought it was a lot of fun! I went the university route, got useful degrees and did well, but I always thought I would have been very happy to have been a welder. A welder probably would never be out of work, wouldn't have office politics to put up with and wouldn't have to take the job home with them. And you can look at stuff and say, "I helped build/make that."

[@ssjwes]

The "I made that" aspect is really satisfying. Knowing that things I've made are still being used even decades later... I'll be dead and some of the stuff I've made will still be in use. Feels great. Even things my father created are being used long after his passing.

[@djhero0071]

Why not weld as a hobby?

[@reginaldwright247]

I have YET to hear of some mid-level manager get into a pissing contest with someone holding a 3,000 degree centigrade Oxyacetylene Torch in his HAND!!

[@andreweastaughffe1070]

while you don't get office politics you do get a similar thing called site politics which you can steer clear of and i suggest everyone does. Work follows you home too like all jobs you at the start not so much but as you get to the stages of your own business its becomes part of life you are always thinking of ways to sort this or that out on site or logistics of a job and time schedules but that it many years into your career and only if you go down that route of your own business but that is how you make more then the average person too in most trades

[@alexcards4637]

When I read your message it just made me happy to know that you had that experience with your dad that memory would never die

[@danleemann]

As a welder I can tell you when I was 18 my starting wage was $22 an hour. I had no certs or anything. When I left that job 3 years later I was making $40 an hour. Now two years later they want me to come back and I'm being offered $50 an hour lol

[@35teddybear]

Good shit my man!!

[@kingdaca3229]

Wow must be nice location, welders are a dime a dozen around here I started out at $14 hour. 6 years later only at $24 an hour at a new company and too rate is $30

[@Dave-so7sf]

@@kingdaca3229 What are you welding? I’ve found pipe welding pays fairly well.

[@kingdaca3229]

@@Dave-so7sf started off with aluminum flat beds/toolboxes etc. then into a rail shop doing fuel tanks, cabs, engine cars. Now doing structural steel. I have no pipeline experience.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

Must by in San Francisco.

[@jarrad4397]

I've been a welder for 13 yrs and its the best decision I've ever made, well besides getting divorced

[@jenifercaterton78]

I was one for 10 years, bad back, average eye site, carpel tunnel syndrome both wrists, bad knees, bad hip, now pain in shoulder for last 2 years. Hearing is perfect always wore ear plugs. 84 hours a week most of working life, never had a vacation. I guess that's what I get for believing my parents when they said what doesnt kill you will make you stronger......not true

[@philgraves7814]

I’ve been welding 16 years now and I don’t regret it

[@kodiak3995]

@@jenifercaterton78 why did you work 80 hrs a week?

[@garagekeys]

Why did you make the dumb decision to get married?

[@jarrad4397]

@@garagekeys lol I still haven't figured that one out bud.

[@Slagithor9000]

I was told I was stupid for not going to college and taking a welding apprenticeship instead. Now I get to listen to the same people complain about student debt and watch them hussle to make ends meet while I work 180-190 days a year to make bank at a shop 9 minutes from my house.

[@lucysmith4242]

How much do you make and how long have you been welding?

[@Slagithor9000]

@@lucysmith4242 $37.70. For 6 years. Its a little high for the experience and being a steady job close to home, but I do semi, mechanized, and robotic welding on joints that require UT.

[@lucysmith4242]

@@Slagithor9000 What is UT? Pretty sure I've been around those welding robots but never operated or coded them. Do they run on G Code? And thank you for the reply

[@Slagithor9000]

@@lucysmith4242 They ultrasound the job to look for discontinuities. Pretty much like Xray. And yeah. G code. We got a Fanuc arm. You're welcome!

[@stinkyham9050]

I think the blue collar tradesmen actually threaten and annoy the white collar workers (not all I'm generalizing). They think they're so much smarter then us and that makes feel good about themselves. Putting us down also makes their crushing student debt seem worth it to them. When they hear about us succeeding past their financial goals it shows them that they possibly made a bad choice.

[@audioxplorer]

Much appreciation to Mike Rowe for enlightening the world as to the importance of blue collars in society and treat us with the same level of respect as any other profession. Thanks Mike!

[@stonedmega1]

Mike Rowe HATES you, you're his little PUPPET

[@lonewolftech]

Stop fucking to this Hollywood millionaire with 0 blue collared experience outside of that show.

[@eurojulian]

I started a career as a welder after pursued engineering studies in computer sciences. I found out I like to use my hands to work. I really appreciated Jordan point of view! Nice to read comments and see the people succeeded in a trade!

[@JordanHarbingerShow]

congrats! Do you listen to The Jordan Harbinger Show (podcast) as well?

[@bigwrenchgarage1360]

Had dozens of welders working for me. Welding will make you a good living and take care of your family. Not always the best conditions, but good pay. For some that can make a pass smooth as butter, welding will pay for a ranch and a King Ranch F350. For the popcorn poppers maybe an F150 and a 3 bed house. Definitely more money than a lot of college degrees. For the welders in the US...thanks for holding the country together one pass at a time.

[@danwalter2175]

@Water King maybe, and I'll go on a limb here, a person that works with dozens of welders has a pretty good idea of what those welders are interested in? "All you look forward to" as if the ranch land doesn't imply the home that goes on it and anything else to fill it. But hey, its a free economy for now, so they can get whatever they want.

[@bigwrenchgarage1360]

@Water King Have you seen the price of a new F150, a house, a F350, and a ranch in Texas?! That's rich! Haha. Welding is definitely a great profession for sure and hard to outsource welding to China for welders that work on infrastructure; buildings, pipelines, plants, oil & gas, bridges, etc.

[@fortomorrowwehunt8449]

Welding pays well only in specific areas or Union shops.

[@thelasthallow]

@@xanderliptak yeah same here, been doing mig/pulse mig for 2 years now in a factory on ford parts (not owned by ford) and i make exactly $1 over normal production. its pretty gay, and i dont get to do much different kinds of welding on different materials or thicknesses just the same shit every single day, so im not actually learning anything new to make myself good enough to go to say, welding on tanks for the government.

[@DawgFL]

too bad it comes with broken backs and shot knees and bad health.

[@davidmorrison4291]

My guidance counselor said to me if I went into the trades I would be poor my whole life. My shop teacher said work hard make a name for yourshelf and be smart with your money and you can a great life. I was able to thank Mr Cunningham before he passed away. The guidance counselor was shocked and her attitude about the trades never changed.

[@kylemcburgerson5207]

This might be an old cliche but I don't think people should take career advice from someone whose career is being a guidance counselor.

[@pixeldimond]

@@kylemcburgerson5207 This is so true. It's like business school. How are you going to learn something from someone about something they profess to be an expert about when they haven't had any success, and often any experience, with that field. Boggles the mind.

[@kylemcburgerson5207]

@@pixeldimond i think its true with most schools. If the person's job is teaching that subject it might mean they couldn't get a job actually practicing that subject.

[@virtuerse]

@@kylemcburgerson5207 you both have it right, good thinking 😉

[@stuartdubbs9605]

@@kylemcburgerson5207 so true, at our school we had the teacher with a masters in mathematics teaching English, the math teacher was a science bachelor, it's all ass backwards

[@graysonlewis5446]

I went to college to be a pharmacist.. dropped out after 1st 6months of pharmacy school because I couldn't make myself go that far into debt. I learned how to weld as a kid at home on the farm, and the first year I broke out as a pipeline welder I made 180k...have never regretted that decision.

[@timothykeith1367]

Why does a pharmacist who will work in a retail location need as much biochemistry knowledge as a brain surgeon? It seems that the requirements are set so high to restrict the number of qualified workers. Several of my physicians got a premed degree then joined a branch of the military, who then paid for their schooling. They had to remain in the service for years - don't know how long, but a person who couldn't otherwise afford the schooling got to become a doctor.

[@djhero0071]

You really don’t want the person making your drugs to understand as much as possible on how those drugs affect the human body?

[@ez-haul3097]

I call bullshit unless you already knew someone in the industry. Even if you pass a 6G you have to be a welder helper for a good couple years unless you know somebody to pull some string's

[@cas343]

@@djhero0071 I want them to know enough to not kill me but there to be enough of them working that I don't go bankrupt from visiting one.

[@djhero0071]

I think it’s less of an education thing and more of an underpaid thing. There’s a shortage out there and from what I’ve seen in news sources, a lot of pharmacy techs cite bad pay.

[@michaelh5055]

Guy I know from high school graduated and started working in a shipyard as a welder. He was working 6-7 days a week and not really spending money on anything but food. He also lived at home for free. The dude was following his dad's advice and investing most everything while his dad handled it. We are both 38. He drives a fine truck, home paid off, and owns his own shop.

[@yeltsin6817]

My buddy is a farmer. He’s winding his operation down and mostly leases out land to others to work etc. But this guy can fix, make, repair anything. He has a full on wood shop and a full on auto metal shop. It is truly amazing. He also had his class a license years ago so knows how to repairs all aspects of every vehicle. It’s crazy.

[@BM-xc9sq]

An old timer welder taught me how to stick weld when I was 13yrs old. He always told me. "Don't learn the tricks of the trade....learn the trade, and you can be like me! I can weld everything from egg shells to spider webs" I've been welding for 55 yrs. Stick, MIG and TIG. Mostly TIG on aluminum, stainless, Titanium, and most other exoctic metals. I retired and very comfortable. I work from my own small shop and do very well as extra income. Last year I grossed $140,000. from my small backyard shop. The money is there, but you have to go after it. Stick to your prices. People think because you work out of your garage that you will do the job cheaper.....Not me! Stick with prices. You have the same expenses as bigger shops have. Anybody can weld lawnmowers and bicycles all day long. Go after the stuff that pays. Good luck.

[@ChasingTheDream87]

Well done sir, so awesome hearing stories of people's success as independent welder, what advice would you have for a guy just starting out on my own side job adventure, I currently work for am aerospace company as a tig welder going on 5years. I just got my first welder, looking to start a business.

[@jockellis]

It’s all in the dime, not in the shop.

[@GreenCanoeb]

Excellent approach! By sticking to your prices you not only help yourself but everyone else in the trade by not undercutting your fellow tradesmen.

[@chrisbaker8533]

"People think because you work out of your garage that you will do the job cheaper.." If that just ain't the truth. There's this disconnect in people's brains between working for yourself and working for a company.

[@freddiebear8793]

I'm with you bro, I can weld tissue paper together with fire and not burn it!

[@user-cs3zs6jn1d]

My dad was a excellent welder. He loved his job and was never without cash. Sometimes he would build a roll cage in a race car for free, and other times wouldn't even discuss the next job without payment first. His last 20 years he had a shop in the back yard and worked if he wanted to.

[@skyrimgameplay2808]

Yeah true same with my dad he tought me how to weld and i keep praticing sorry for bad english

[@matthorndrums]

This is badass your dad sounds like a champion

[@user-cs3zs6jn1d]

@@matthorndrums thank you. He was awesome.

[@eyecandyquartz8494]

An here i thought he was just ur manager😉jk ur dad sounds like he was a good dude

[@Mitchlee12]

Thats my dream

[@willbowden6968]

I’m a union ironworker out of Seattle local 86 and last year I pulled in 137k. I have been working iron for 15 years and welding for the last 13. The money is there for men and women who are willing to work hard. God bless America!

[@qperci80]

Local 22 baby

[@billyd7882]

The problem is nobody wants to put in the time and sacrifice to learn properly.

[@shootstraight91]

I have so much respect for ironworkers, you guys have nerves of steel! No pun intended :)

[@twitch01]

How many hours a week does it take to pull that? When i google ironworker salary in my area, I have no clue how they afford to live here its so low but online everyone says they make twice that so i assume its mostly OT. Is that it, or the salaries listed online wrong? Seems like a cool trade btw- much respect.

[@johnperkins6432]

@@qperci80 ✌✌

[@Snowymae]

I was a welder who enjoyed my job and the freedom that came with it. I never stopped learning and working my way up until a health condition caused me to get an internal defibrillator and then I was unable to continue. I was 22 at the time and despite being female I had a bunch of mentors that I miss working with. I will say there were some jobs I couldn’t do due to physical limitations but I encourage anyone to try

[@Triforce1985]

I'm a chemical engineer and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I could not do my job without a professional welder. Welders are worth every single penny that they're paid. And everyone I know that welds makes a very very good living.

[@dieseldavo3866]

I was a training for a mining equipment manufacturer for several years. At the beginning of every class we introduced ourself by going around the room. I was teaching a class in Canada near Fort McMurray. During the intro, an attendee stated he had a bachelors degree in criminal justice and was a welder for the mine we were at. I asked him to elaborate as I was having difficulties with the connection between his degree and welding at a mine site. He stated it was tough to find a job after acquiring his degree so he took a few welding classes and was going to use that as a fill in until he could get back into a “proper” profession. Since he was highly motivated and dedicated to doing the best he could with every repair he made, he advanced his pay quickly. Normal rotation at the mine was 2 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off. He would work 3 on and 1 off to bank as much as he could. He stated he was pulling over 250k Canadian and had plans to retire in 15 years. Skilled labor is important to many businesses. This was just one of the many people I have run into over the years that make an above average living as a skilled tradesman.

[@pixeldimond]

That's insane.

[@bubba9482]

Not just welding, but any skilled trade can give you a comfortable living. The trick is, you have to work hard. A lot of today's youngsters forget this, they think work should be easy and fun. Well, it's called "work" for a reason.

[@rhuttrho88]

Hard work is fun! Seriously! I know for a fact! Couple that with the pay, it's a win win!

[@crissd8283]

@@rhuttrho88 I don't know about fun, but I do enjoy my work in the trades. It is nice to look at the end of the day an see something that I made that wasnt there before and take pride in it. If they didnt pay me I wouldnt show up but I'm proud of what I accomplish and the pay is great too.

[@johnm866]

Just my 2cents....learn as many trades as you can to make your life easier and even more enjoyable. Sell yourself.

[@Intrepid175a]

Took the words right off of my keyboard! ;-) Anyone can make a right nice living in any of the trades, IF, they're willing to get off their ass and work for it. Those welders making $150k/years are putting in lots of hours and they're doing the work that most don't want to. Off shore, pipeline work where they're laying in a muddy ditch welding around a 32 inch diameter pipe, etc.

[@-Nick-T]

i work on fire alarms, the pay is outstanding and you dont work as hard as a welder.

[@dobermanpac1064]

I have one year of college experience and quickly realized I was going nowhere fast. 47 years later I retired with my skill and enough money to retire at 59. Ten yrs later, I’m still retired and enjoying life.

[@lucysmith4242]

Times were different then. Not saying you are wrong, but we need examples of young blood making big money as a welder with 1 to 10 years experience

[@good-ol-boy293]

You went to college at 12 😂

[@truckingmoney485]

My nephew is 20yr old welder he made about 90k his second year

[@dustm23]

@@truckingmoney485 where? How many hours a week?

[@coreyploof217]

@@lucysmith4242 go work pipeline and make six figures, even guys I work with doing local distribution welding so they can live at home are making 90 a hour and then boys don’t work hard. I dig the hole, they show up and burn a Tee on a main and then sit in their truck and get paid

[@graywilliams_77.]

I believe the wisest decision that should be on every individual list is to invest in a different stream of income and don't depend on the government to bring you money. It's always better to work smart and not hard.

[@susannicky]

That's perfectly correct, you don't have to depend on paid jobs to earn a living, explore other good and reliable ways of creating wealth no matter what most people say about diddle.

[@JeffsRangeDay]

First year welding out of a 1 year tech school I made 52k. At my current company I'll max out at around 67k in another 4 years. I can make more if I want to travel or go union but I prefer my 40 hour week and guarantee home every day with weekends off. 😁 Definitely More work options than most people realize for welders.

[@timmorris7327]

I’m a Pipefitter in Chicago, I know several welders who make six figures while taking January and February off. I don’t know too many newspaper columnists that can do that.

[@daw162]

Guarantee I'd rather have a beer with a welder than a newspaper writer any day of the week.

[@biggumstevens1784]

And the rest of the year they live at work... you leave that part out.

[@steveb4748]

@@biggumstevens1784 facts. I’m a union painter in Chicago and make over a 100k a year. But I literally have to work like 450 hours OT a year to make that . Fitters make like 4-5 dollars per hour more then us tho .

[@timmorris7327]

@@biggumstevens1784 I guess if you mean 40-50 hours a weeks as “living at work” you would be correct. Didn’t leave anything out, but thanks for your two cents.

[@barbellsamurai8014]

I doubt you know any newspaper columnists so your anecdotal evidence is just that

[@patrickdaniels8942]

not everyone strives to be "rich". some people merely want to earn a decent living and have the freedom to live their life the way they choose. some people enjoy being craftsman for that reason.

[@christopherbeddoe406]

You're 100 percent right. "Financially independent" should be everyone's goal. Meaning you aren't dependent on working for income to be able to live. That's what people shoot for by retirement. The Term "Rich" is very subjective and like you stated many don't care about living a life of excess like the "Rich". If you have no real expenses/liabilities financial independence can be had at a relatively low asset/savings levels. I live well below my means so I could be "financially independent" for less than $300k. I'm super paranoid though so I would want much more saved/invested before stopping working my 8-5. My target is $1 million in (outside of tax restricted retirement account) growth investments to "retire early" (I've got a long way to go still). After I'm done "working" I would still plan to monetize my hobbies but wouldn't want to depend on that income as that sucks the fun out of things. I would look to invest my excess income into my family and community in different ways but I'm not a flashy person and my goal isn't to ever be considered rich. I put more value in being capable and helpful.

[@manicr1]

“Rich” is subjective. Happiness is universal.

[@erikb8877]

“Rich” doesn’t mean wealthy

[@JungleJim737]

Exactly there’s more merit to trades than just the paycheck. No debt from college is one of the best ones

[@The_Gallowglass]

Some people just wanna have a family, a place to call home, and friends to share what "wealth" they have with.

[@harveyhams1572]

Mike is terrifying. He attacks every problem with simple logic. The problem is logic is not about feelings.

[@JamesPhillipsOfficial]

And feelings dont matter to the rest of the world, so your point is moot and Mike becomes less scary when you realize that,you are your own problem.

[@russellchastain5473]

If you're gonna be successful in anything you have to put your feelings in your pocket!!

[@rustynail7866]

@@JamesPhillipsOfficial sarcasm, dude. chill

[@codyreagan5754]

@@rustynail7866 flew over their heads real fast didn’t it? Lmao

[@joshhutchins6747]

@@JamesPhillipsOfficial ever see a snake eat itself?

[@ajhubbell3754]

I used to be a welder. I loved it. I was a production welder in a fabrication shop and I made a living. I wasn’t a certified pipe welder making $1500 a day on a major gas pipeline nor was I ever going to be. I chose a new career doing something I loved more and had a stronger financial future for my knowledge set. Welders can make a wonderful living.

[@randallgoldapp9510]

You have match the person with the job. Welding isn't for everyone. The point is don't turn your nose up to a blue collar job. You can still make a good living if you pick one that suits you.

[@JakeSweeper]

"Head up his ass." You know, that's probably the few times, if not the only time, I have ever heard Mike Rowe publicly cuss. 😀

[@JordanHarbingerShow]

Hahaha same!

[@speedbuggy16v]

It is appropriate I think. you can work some places at 12 bucks an hour welding, or you can go nuts and be a saturation diver welder and make a grand a day........ Just a difference in drive and risk aversion.

[@jennifurzoe1302]

"Head up his ass",I do believe he used that as a term of endearment.

[@JakeSweeper]

@@speedbuggy16v I've been saying for years, "If you can do the job 'and' want to do the job, then by all means, do the job. But if you can't do the job 'or' don't want to do the job, then STFU about the job!" Came to this conclusion not long after social media became a thing and folks started whining about stuff.

[@scotttabak6755]

Same here and he can describe gravitational forces on discovery channel too. He might say his something sly about Uranus but that’s it

[@jonbrown9490]

If more people in this country, both liberal and conservative, were as logical and kind as Mike Rowe we'd be a lot better off.

[@biggumstevens1784]

mike rowe is an actor that graduated with an acting degree and never worked a hard job in his life. hes selling you on back breaking labor when he himself avoided it at all cost.

[@jonbrown9490]

@@biggumstevens1784He's never hidden the fact that he didn't come from a trades background. Why can't you be an actor and tv personality that genuinely believe that a trades job would be better for some people than a degree they have to get in debt for? The question isn't whether or not he's "selling" something...it's whether it's worth buying. For some people it won't be and for some it will. I see nothing wrong with more people know that there are other options.

[@biggumstevens1784]

@@jonbrown9490 Its hypocritical for this guy to come out and brag about how great trade jobs are, while leaving out all the shit parts of trade jobs such as living at work and the back breaking health issues they cause. Especially when hes never done them in his life.

[@jonbrown9490]

@@biggumstevens1784 I get where you're coming from, but there are tons of trade jobs that don't destroy your body or require massive hours and still pay very well. Do some trades job suck... absolutely...but so do lots of jobs.

[@biggumstevens1784]

@@jonbrown9490 My thing is the good trade jobs, that are not body destroying, not travel and work a 15 hour day, not live on the road, are so few and far between and completely squatted on. You start out doing trash in the trade industries. While other industries you end up jumping strait into a career you actually want. Though they pay less.

[@schism47]

I've been a welding for 20 years, 13 years professionally. I make an honest middle class living and I absolutely love what I do. Wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world. It is a career that always offers new things to learn. The industry is constantly evolving.

[@iijaydakingll6232]

Hope u keep the respirator on bud

[@jamesdagmond]

@Get Help Welders start at 25-30$ an hour right out of school around where I live. If that's poverty sign me tf up.

[@shakenfake]

@Get Help $20 an hour from where I am from in DFW straight out of welding school. And that is if you are a weak welder. You can get closer to $25 if you do a good weld test on site.

[@voxey47]

@Get Help from experience…. Which is the past, and is also in 1 location. Someone is obviously not content with themselves and/or their choices, and you are shitting on a really good opportunity for a lot of people for no reason. Stfu

[@josephcordero9933]

@Get Help lol starting from 22-40 in Florida 🤷‍♂️

[@quentinking1188]

My brother STARTED at 30 an hour welding. No training, no certs, just knows how to weld. Applied at a major company, watched the KZbin videos on the tests they administer, passed and now makes 40 an hour and only does tacks. All in about 2 years.

[@siouxicide9002]

Where does he live?

[@davidmcmichael8113]

I learned to weld at an extremely young age. My Father who was a Navy Welder during the Korean and Vietnam War. These skills not only helped me make a living when I got older but paved the way of additional construction training to this very day. Higher education is good , however having a trade and skill that comes from your hands. You can go anywhere in the world and obtain a job.

[@manbearpig2164]

As a welder I was making over 1000 dollars a week with overtime, I love welding and when you love what you do it doesn't even feel like work. And when working overtime you don't really have enough time to spend it, so when you do look up into your wallet, you have tons of extra money to buy the sweetest toys

[@lonewolftech]

😂😂😂😂 I make that a week sitting on my ass watching a machine run lines for 8 hours a day.

[@Robwonder_]

Bro a $1000? Lol

[@natedoherty3462]

I'm a new welder. And I'm 37. I've been a carpenter my whole adult life. Can't I just be proud to be conquering a new skill and can't I just enjoy my income and my life. I'm not rich. But. I'm happy.

[@pgreenberg66]

Exactly, I know several "rich" people who are miserable.

[@wessleyrutherford5672]

Then you truly are "rich". Richer in fact, that many that have the millions in the bank, with the mistaken belief that money equals happiness, or success. Well done.

[@sart3537]

Amen

[@lucysmith4242]

You get it

[@wanitagons4269]

And your job has a practical outcome. You get to build and make things that will last.

[@crazywisdom2]

My Dad was a Welder & Pipefitter. Worked hard. Made good money. We sure didn't starve. Thank You Dad. From Coal Burners, Oil Refineries, Fermi Power plant to Alaska pipeline. Amen~

[@randallmcgrath9345]

Those pipeline companies pay crazy now I hear. Definitely 6 figures.

[@VF1Skullangel]

Im in HVAC and honestly I wouldn't recommend skilled trades to anyone because the pay is terrible. companies expect you to accept $16-18 an hour plus you have to provide tools, uniforms, ext and in some cases your commuting a far distance to the jobsite so that's gas too, vehicle maintenance. Plus your paying for your own medical insurance. And you have to pay your dues for several years before you even make a living wage.... Meanwhile amazon is paying people $20 an hour without any experience plus plenty of room to grow. offers great all inclusive benefits. Same with in and out burger. Sure you can start your own company but this industry is already flooded with too many entrepreneurs who under pay their laborers. That is why there's a shortage in trades. We're seeing in the trucking industry and now its showing up in the skilled labor. But for all those guys who won the union lottery and got in and are making bank, more power to you.

[@jakesutton8077]

Well, I still haven't figured out how to get anything more than 25/hr welding. I've been trained and doing it for 5 years now. I would tell my younger self to do homework and quit half assing school.

[@grzegorz16100]

I'm a car mechanic and make £39k -far from being rich and it sucks. I have no life outside of the garage and have a second job. The funny thing is that I dropped out of the best college in my area because I couldn't afford it.

[@spyder6100]

Join a union.

[@spyder6100]

@@grzegorz16100 Go work for a dealership.

[@jeffpistritto9524]

I am a six figure welder ! Self taught with no formal training! I was in special education classes in school as a child .I am dyslexic so school wasn’t easy for me but welding and fabrication was ! So you don’t need college or to be a super genius to be a six figure salary welder !

[@SophiaAphrodite]

"salary" so how many hours you work to make that money?

[@chevyvet69]

I am a welder in Florida and I could tell you the pay here absolutely sucks

[@bradenbazeck6348]

Hey I’m in special education classes and last year I went to a tech school and I had to do a rotation of electrical, HVAC, carpentry and welding and I fell in love with welding. I got good but I can get way better but it’s just peaceful when you’re hood is down and laying beads.

[@chevyvet69]

Come down to Florida you will be starving in a week

[@cb175s]

Good job I'm the same way. I dream of projects / work and can build anything but Spelling was a nightmare for me. Along with so much more. In the 70's / 80's it was sink or swim when it came to school.

[@travisbackman4284]

Being someone who is in the top 6% of earners in the USA working a white collar job, I can tell you that I appreciate people who can find a way to make a great living in whatever variety of jobs and industries that they find both personally rewarding and lucrative. We need people to fill jobs of many varieties because who else will do these necessary things for society.

[@jameslyons6655]

Didn’t go to college. I did a 32 year military and federal law enforcement career and retired at 52. Some of the happier and more financially secure people I know from high school are the ones that went into trades or business for themselves. If you are a young person please explore all your options, make good choices, live within your means, save, invest and you stand a decent chance of doing well

[@kevingeorge5159]

i appreciate your comment, tremendously. i know i am not alone. to add to this: even if you are promised the moon, and especially if you are "gifted" or a distant star from there...you will serve society better innovating and producing something of value to your fellow man. give us your best idea and it will be better than the last ten presidents, any member of congress, ever and the next hundred governors combined...and then some.

[@mcbaited5455]

live below your means when ur startng out

[@SophiaAphrodite]

Interesting how the boomer generation all talk about how everyone else does not want to work hard when ALL of them when they went into a trade were part of unions. Talk about entitled.

[@ClericChris]

I was a diesel mechanic for 10 years before and during college to get an engineering degree. I would recommend this kind of move to many men. I graduated debt free and lived very comfortably through college. After graduating I ran circles around engineers who never had blue collar job. I will also always have a backup if something goes wrong with the job market. All these things and many more provide a security that most don't get. Learning a trade is invaluable even if you want to go to college. Want to be an electrical engineer. Go when your 26 after 8 years working as an electrician. Want to be a chemical engineer, do 8 years as a plumber. Mechanical engineer, 8 years as a mechanic. I can't recommend this enough.

[@buildalifeworthliving4551]

Makes a lot of sense. Good story

[@Jason0binladen]

I've been listening to his voice narrate so long his voice actually calms and relaxes me, he's so down to earth love that guy

[@JHorvathCinema]

The saturation work guys make a lot more than $150k! Jokes aside, I find myself saying “it’s complicated and it depends” a lot more these days. I appreciate my college education, but I absolutely feel like it was sold to me as something that it was not. I know folks with masters degrees that make less than $50k, and I know a guy who does paint prep for a major defense manufacturer that clears six figures after overtime and weekends. The world needs all types, don’t let your future be dictated to you by the personal opinion of your high school guidance counselor..

[@andreinvictoria]

Or a guy with college a degree.

[@JHorvathCinema]

@@andreinvictoria Very true, I’m not a huge fan of the Mike Rowe flavor of advocacy. Possibly the other side of the same coin. Cheers!

[@dirtfarmer7472]

Those HS counselors don’t know if they’re washing or hanging out

[@JHorvathCinema]

@@dirtfarmer7472 my father is a retired teacher and he brought up a good point, high schools are judged on what percentage of kids go on to 4 year school. That’s a pretty big incentive to discourage trade school or a gap year if a kid can get accepted to a 4 year school...

[@andreinvictoria]

Rowe trivializes what it takes to make $150,000 a year in the trades. You would be better off getting a PHD. Atleast you would be done in 8 to 12 years Instead of 20.

[@davidyetter5409]

In my last 10 years of working as an electrician I averaged nearly $150K...It isn't all that uncommon to see. Where I worked most supervisors and managers didn't make as much as the skilled maintenance workers made. Most of them have 4 year degrees, and their job status isn't as stable as mine.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

You can always get work if you don't mind getting dirty.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@Baldspot A good painter and/or handyman is VERY hard to find. And well worth their hire, by the way!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@Baldspot I told my 2 kids there was NO college money and they better get scholarships if they were going that route but their best bet is a trade school and learn something to keep them from starving to death while going to one of those joints. They went just enough to be turned into idiots (I didn't pay for it and they didn't either I guess, rich aunt grrr) but maybe they'll grow up and smell some coffee instead of sleeping on their side and sniff their armpits all night..

[@ELIRAXPRT]

What location did you work in?

[@davidyetter5409]

@@ELIRAXPRT Power Plant maintenance.

[@herbzabel9117]

Thanks for this! I spent 7 years welding stainless pipe for gas turbines. I loved that job and made enough money to support my family. To this day, I know that if I need to return to welding, I can.

[@johnnelson8956]

I retired from an auto manufacturing plant paint department after 25 years. I've been in paint and body for 37 years. Painters, welders, machinists, and maintenance mechanics at my plant were all skilled labor jobs and were paid more. I'm here to tell you that the need for skilled laborers in this country is at a high that hasn't been seen in 75 years. I can also attest that you can make a damn fine living in this country with a learned skillset. I was fortunate enough to learn my trade in a high school vocational school. Sadly, vocational schools haven't gotten the attention they deserve.

[@oransmith6009]

They have closed most high school vocational classes

[@taylorforsyth4278]

Long story here but in 2015 when I was finishing community college (for welding) I got my first welding job making $15 at an aluminum boat shop because my teacher twisted the HR manager's arm after turning me away because I was "inexperienced," and as a result they set me to pushing broom 75% of the time then fired me on my 90 day mark because I "hadn't improved enough" compared to the other, more experienced, new hires. This shattered my confidence and when I finally got a job in another shop I asked for $15 because I didn't know my worth. Two years and many many hours later I was making a whopping $15.65 and starting to find out that many of my colleagues were making $20+ for much worse work than I was putting out. I finally approached my boss about discussing my compensation and over a month later when he finally got back to me he said, "Get your TIG cert and I'll give you a dollar." I put in my two weeks notice and moved to Idaho, but when I got here the only place that would take me was a fencing company, and they started me at $13 because "The cost of living is lower over here." Complete BS. Soon I proved my skill and got my pay bumped up to match (excited gasp) the kid with one years experience who learned welding In high school. And HE was upset about that. I know it's possible to make big bucks welding but in order to do so you generally have to work long weeks and spend long stretches away from your family and that's just not what I want to do. There are some who can do it and honestly more power to them, it's just not for me. I am a very good welder if I do say so myself and I do enjoy welding, but it simply wasn't paying the bills for me, and on top of that I was having to deal with sinus infections twice a month even with a good fan and plenty of ventilation.

[@watts1012]

We need more people like Mike Rowe in this country. Whether you agree with his position or not, I have only every seen him be polite and reasoned in his approach to debate. It is a nice change of pace from the hyper-partisanship we see in the regular politics.

[@hubster4477]

Amen! You can disagree with somebody without calling them every name in the book!

[@JordanHarbingerShow]

Meh go f- yourself Jk thanks for watching 😇😘

[@reubensandwich9249]

I remember when Mike went after Bernie in 2016. Mike was right then, and still right today.

[@erikn3377]

Mike Rowe says it so well. People who have the drive and hustle, have the ability to find work in their trade. Welding pays plain and simple. It will always be a highly needed set of skills.

[@hbwblacksmithing]

I'm a blacksmith and welder have been for the past 25 years I've been doing this since I was 12 or 13 years old and it's a job that I truly do love and I don't feel like I work any day of my life

[@tysonlewis-maxamow]

To be honest, working as a W2 employee welding, will NEVER make you 150k a year. The nuance here, is a lot of welders figure out how to save money for a welding machine and tools,(or get a business loan) then sub-contract themselves as a 1099 SSN or start a Company. then easily make 150k a year. I have been in the welding community for over 15 years now, and most of my friends and I have made the leap, leading us to make 150k to 400k a year. Some grow even further hiring on 1099 welders, keeping 10+ guys working. -Stay smart, stay safe, negotiate well, and never settle for less than you're worth.

[@phillipstine8571]

I started welding in my 11th year of high school, and I retired December 2020 enjoyed it all my life and still welding now and then.

[@joliettraveler]

I just paid a plumber $250 for 45 minutes of work repairing my garbage disposal. Some people are afraid to get their hands dirty!!!

[@SophiaAphrodite]

IT is not that. It is the horrible toll it takes on your body. Manual labor is manual labor. BE it a garbage disposal or digging a ditch to replace your main water line. It WILL destroy your body. Who wants to live thier retirement days with a walker?

[@longlost8424]

work (of any kind) doesn't make you "rich". what you do with the money that you earn, can..... living below your means allows you to work smarter (with the money) and achieve a level of financial success far beyond your initial dreams......

[@joshhuskins5363]

Very good point that people fail to see.

[@longlost8424]

@@joshhuskins5363 thank you sir......

[@Bendigo1]

Any person that has an income and learns how to control their money can become rich. When someone has a lower income, it may take longer to become rich, but it does not mean they can never be rich.

[@longlost8424]

@Baldspot unfortunately, the realities of mankind don't agree with you, and what would appear to be "simple mathematics". more money equates to more spending as opposed to more investing/saving. when I was a child, learning about "compound interest" we were tasked with a simple math equation; would you like $1 million when you retire, or would you rather the return of a pack of cigarettes purchased daily (at the time a pack of cigs was about $.45 per pack). I was the only child in the class to take the $.45 per day investment which compounded equaled to a projected $4.3 million.........

[@longlost8424]

@Baldspot no its not. I already retired in 2002 at the age of 40. I spend my time now giving my money away to a collection of local charities every month. that's "my" reality...... the surest sign that someone doesn't know what they're talking about is when they automatically reject the real data that someone (me) who actually knows, imparts on others (you). good luck trying to "earn" more.

[@cmill145]

I tell people I come from a family of artists. My Dad and uncles all walked the Iron. With a big enough Jet rod, they could have welded the grand canyons. Side story- when I was a little kid, I remember asking a friend's dad where his "big green tank" was when I didn't see one in his garage. The friends dad was as confused as I was...I had never seen a garage without a "big green tank" God bless you artists.

[@joelmogensen579]

The average U.S. welder wage of $43K AIN'T RICH. It's just a job. To exceed 100K you have to travel, work extreme hours and have no life. Unless you invest in your own shop.

[@spyder6100]

Nonsense.

[@boristhethoughtdodger3162]

@@spyder6100 According to Us Department of Labor statistic mean yearly for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers is $52,640 with only %10 earning more than $72,970. (May 2023)

[@tippytay8359]

Skilled labor ain’t cheap and cheap labor ain’t skilled , to me welding is like a form of art it’s all about perspective and not letting the ego influence your hunger to succeed.

[@jmantwild9373]

Did anyone else think the guy mike was talking to was a trekkie?😁

[@JordanHarbingerShow]

lol 😂

[@joshhuskins5363]

Yep

[@richardpatterson4312]

💯

[@sart3537]

Thank you lol

[@robeasy13]

Live long and prosper! 🤣

[@chrispaleen5137]

I started welding for $8 an hour out of high school. I went to trade school to improve my craft. And now my late forties are routinely bring home six figures depending on how hard I want to work.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

All that experience and only high 5 figures? Does not sound like a good investment to me. I make mid 5 figures on a job I just started 2 years ago. my BF is a position above me and has been here 5 years and makes high 5 figure.

[@ThePerpetualStudent]

I have never heard of this channel before. Thank you for letting him speak.

[@JordanHarbingerShow]

Welcome to The Jordan Harbinger Show. Do you also listen to The Jordan Harbinger Show (podcast)?

[@Wadley225]

I'm not a welder, but my Dad did it as part of his job in a steel mill, and I know it's a trade where you got to have skills and know what you're doing, you just don't go in and pick up an ordinary stick welder and have at it. I've seen people do TIG work on stainless, inconel, and other metals, and it was definitely not their first day on the job.

[@dradis1]

I remember back in the early 2000s, I used to do autocross on the weekends. I was like 19 or so, in the Air Force, not much money, running my base Honda Civic. There was this super friendly guy who was a couple years older than me who I would talk to at every event. He was driving a brand new Subaru WRX with a bunch of modifications, and he always brought an extra set of tires for autocross, and a set to go back on the street. That takes a lot of money, but I just assumed he came from a rich family. One day I asked "How do you afford all this stuff?". He said he was a welder and just started doing underwater welding. He would go to Florida for 6 months of the year, work, then he was off for 6 months. His off season was during the summer so he could autocross :P And he just had paid cash for his car. I was blown away, and that conversation has always stuck with me.

[@3xcho]

Short story. Was working in a warehouse years ago when I met a guy. We were talking about past jobs, found out he worked for oceanering , which I thought was cool. Found out he was an under water welder that would travel the world to work on ships and docks. I said it sounded cool, I’d love to do that, but (at the time) i was making nearly $40K working in IT at the warehouse, I don’t know if I could take the pay cut. He laughed, stating the last year he worked there, which was part time, he cleared $200K. He ended up giving up on it because of having kids and not wanting to travel anymore. Anyone who says you cannot make money welding ... just make sure you take their name down so you know to never listen to their advice on any topic ... as they obviously have ZERO clue what they are talking about. Also, met Mike in airport once, he was exactly as you expect, very nice.

[@squiggymcsquig6170]

Met a welder once who was VERY rich. He specialized in welding in nuclear power plant fuel pools. Don't know how rich he was, but he owned his own helicopter outright. Not a cheesy, ultralight-type helicopter, but a large "corporate mogul" type helicopter.

[@joshuaharrelson572]

This is not a sarcastic question... Does he have any medical issues from it?

[@squiggymcsquig6170]

@@joshuaharrelson572 I couldn't say, honestly. I only met him a few times about 25 years ago. He seemed healthy at the time...like ridiculously healthy. He said that both he and the facilities monitored his time and exposures fanatically, and that his biggest concern was always that the water was hot and made him uncomfortable.

[@crosslink1493]

I've got a friend who's a specialty welder who makes well into the 6-figure income bracket. Welds at nuclear plants, chemical plants, refineries, power plants . . . all the big stuff where the pressures/temperatures/fluids in the operations need very critical welds. I know on repairs/replacements he tests everything for residues for both health and weld contamination prevention. He doesn't seem to have any health problems I can detect. The only thing he doesn't like doing is offshore welding (oil platforms); scares the crap out of him to be out in the middle of the ocean on one of those small platforms with all that highly flammable crude oil and natural gas moving around. He's also slowed down to almost 'part time' work these days, and wont travel as far as he used to.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

So he was a unionized government contractor...... nice example though................

[@goldwinger5434]

I have a cousin who's about twenty years older than I and was a union welder. I remember a conversation that he had with my father back in the mid '70s. My father, a computer programmer, and my cousin were talking about financial matters. I don't remember the lead up but my cousin said, "I made $53,000 last year." My father about fell off his chair because he was a senior guy in his department and as he said, "That's more than I'm making!" If we adjust that $53k for inflation, that's about $250k in today's dollars. Not too shabby. I've never known a poor tradesman. They might not be rich but they always live comfortably.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

He makes that because he is in a union. That is the exception.

[@johnjmccarthy7165]

I have a friend that I went high school with. He quit high school, got his GED, went straight into the welding program and was making 6 figures at 19. He is still rocking.

[@sgguitarfan7]

I am a certified weldor In Puerto Rico I started to work as a weldor and gave up 3 months in , the leadership was stupid, making dumb decision all the time and was paid $8 hr I gave it up and continued my computer science degree, graduated and got my self a Software Engineer Job that dosent pay much compared to my same level of expertise in the mainland but the professional wages in the island are stuck I dont regret learning the Art of welding at all, In Puerto Rico welding dosent pay that well. But I am glad that the awful work conditions pushed me to finish my bachelor's in computer science.

[@reginaldfitzpatrick8681]

Welder/32 years old/10 years experience. Started at the bottom, and now work in the aerospace industry earning a great living. I order coffee from people with four year degrees in gender studies who are making minimum wage and owe tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. I will keep pushing to better my career and I hope they do as well.

[@buildalifeworthliving4551]

I'm literally dead. I used to work as a chemist but went into aluminum welding. Really enjoy it. Long live custom fab.

[@reginaldfitzpatrick8681]

@@buildalifeworthliving4551 aluminum welding is one of my favorites! But a degree in chemistry is no joke. I dont know what the job market is like, but that is a legitimate degree. What is a joke is people who are thousands im debt with and despise the system for not being in the top 1% with their useless knowledge in French Literature.

[@johnbutler5650]

I worked for twenty years as a service man in the telecom industry averaging about $70,000.00 a year; no degree. I eventually had to retire due to health reasons. I am currently pursuing a degree, and I am constantly surprised by how little money a degree will get you!

[@daw162]

There are lots of places a degree will get you a bunch of money 10 years on, but they won't be 40 hour a week jobs, either. Unless you are just a magic salesman (that'll be competitive and very political). The myth is the idea that a degree will get you knowing something so valuable that you won't be constantly working and fighting deadlines and logging in at night and on weekends, etc. The more you progress, the less you can say no to anything and the more you'll be working, and you may get trapped in being happy with your status at some point, which will be seen as you not wanting to contribute to move further.

[@biggumstevens1784]

@@daw162 The same thing can be said about these magical 70K a year blue collar jobs. They leave out that they didn't work a 40, they worked a 60 or an 80 a week. Most of the money was in overtime pay. And the story is all the same with blue collar jobs "I did it for 15-20 years before I had to quit due to health issues" leaving out that the cause of said health issues was most likely the job.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

Yep, in the old days you had a union who protected your job and pay. Now there is no pay protection and job protection.

[@thespiritualmadman5832]

​@@biggumstevens1784 yet those magical white collar jobs that make 70k+ are usually salary...meaning one will work whatever hours they are told to, cause that is what goes with working a salary pay based job. if you are being paid a salary...you are working well above and beyond a 40 work week. ironworkers built this country...if it wasnt for us, your highrise corner office would be a tarp-laden lean-to, cardboard box or a tee-pee.

[@harryazzole7814]

@@thespiritualmadman5832 even then white collar salary tend to work no more than 50-55 hours on a very "long" week. If you're in any kind of corporate setting making over $60K you generally have a very laid back work life.

[@tgates0314]

Basic economics says as more and more youth ignore trades and go to colleges, blue collar work will become more and more in demand. As the shortage grows, the amount of money paid for a skill will go up. That being said, it smells like opportunity to me. Opportunity that will pay dividends in the future. Get some!!

[@tgates0314]

@joe rivas I get it. It seems the younger the generation, the lazier and more entitled they are. That's an entirely different problem. The drug tests, though. I get that. You don't want someone high on whatever person behind the wheel of that much raw mass while barreling down the road.

[@michaelklein95]

I work as an aircraft mechanic and we have no one that can weld. When we need welding done to aircraft spec we have to send the part out to a shop and it costs a pretty penny.

[@robwagner7545]

I sold houses for about seven years. In that time, the five youngest people I sold homes to were ALL in the trades. The youngest? A 19 year old welder who paid cash for a duplex that was listed at $115k. All five of them owned homes well before their high school peers who went on to college.

[@robertweldon7909]

I worked at a company that did both machine work, laser cut parts and production welding. Machinists and welders are the un-sung hero's of our machinal part of society. Welding is not easy to do, even the basic stuff. I've see some very good welders be under paid and some bad ones be over paid too. Every trade, no mater which you choose, takes knowledge, skill, and practice. When you are not afraid of getting a bit of dirt, grease, or grime on your hands, you can do very well, . ;-)

[@edwardpedley7582]

Like Joe LeGrand I was a welder for 48 years and made a great living. Kept a roof over my family's head, food on the table and everyone was clothed. Maybe I am old fashioned but that's a win in my book. By the way I'm retired and pick g very comfortably. Hard work pays off.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

Helps being part of a union.

[@sherylmiller8329]

The hair industry has the exact same challenges. When the department of labor only shows an average income instead of a starting, an average and examples of potential earnings. I’m a six figure hair dresser and it is still an industry, like welding and any of the other trades, that has a stigma wrapped around it by the academic world, as “less than”. They need to spot light the unique possibilities that are available...I’m certain there are unrealized dreams by people that didn’t have the courage to say no to the box and make their own way❤️✌️

[@JohnPetrie]

I had thought about barber school, but Virginia's stats show the high end incomes at $44,600 and the median is $32,100. That is discouraging because I make more than that now. I would like to know what the real income is for a first year barber. Congrats on your success!!!!

[@sherylmiller8329]

@@JohnPetrie Hi, the beginning is hard, harder without mentors. Barbering is a quicker start than hairdressers and the license is much less investment. Your income options are determined by your area…if you are great in all areas…not just hair, that’s expected. What are you going to do to make yourself stand out, in a good way…lots to think about. Good luck!

[@450ktm520]

@@JohnPetrie I dont understand how they get those figures. It's based on client tell, the more people like your work and like talking to you the more money you make. My friend makes double of the high end numbers but he worked at a popular spot. He's met other guys that make 150k, so it's based on personality, people skills, your talent, and luck that you create.

[@naturalfithairsolutions7600]

I have a bachelors in Economics and decided to go back to school for cosmetology. While working in oil and gas during the recession, I was laid off. Hair became my main source of income and I was able to garner close to 100K although it was hard. So grateful for that time invested in a trade. I am still working as a hair stylist but taking welding now to explore other options. The trade has helped me to realize my creative talent and I want to explore it in greater ways. Trades are worth it and we all benefit from the hard work produced from it!

[@mikieemiike3979]

Started out as a welder's helper/plasma cutter on a cnc table. The supervisor told me I would hold my co workers back because were teaching me how to weld a little here and there. I said, "to hell with this." I took up drafting for 13.50/hr in 2012 with no experience. I'm now a civil draftsman/designer and make 120k-160k a year depending on how many hours I want to work and live in a small rural town in Arizona. Lol God is good to me.

[@GatleySkateKrew12]

I'm 26, Live in the UK work full time and looking to get into welding, anyone know courses I could do to learn to welding around my current income, thankyou?

[@adambrunt7290]

My buddy is a welder. He makes good money. When he’s on the road he gets dang near $60 an hour. He’s an hourly employee. Someday he wants to own his own business

[@PhoenixWoody]

As soon as Mike said "head up his ass" - I am listening to the whole thing. :-)

[@JordanHarbingerShow]

Right? 😂

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@JordanHarbingerShow RIGHT!

[@freddiebear8793]

I'm a welder, and retired one month before my 51st birthday! I'm 63 now!

[@adampanek3574]

Congrats man, you should make a video on it. Young guys in the trades need to hear more success stories like this.

[@freddiebear8793]

@@adampanek3574 I think I will do just that! I have a sister that has a degree in "everything" or "something" and she'll never retire or pay off the student loans.

[@adampanek3574]

@@freddiebear8793 I'll look forward to it!

[@kevinconn4641]

I'm a diesel mechanic here in west texas. Been in this profession for about 7 years now. No college, barely finished high school. I make over 100k a year. Went to work for Stewart and Stevenson with zero experience. They sent me to a few classes to become certified on a specific engine. That has paid off handsomely.

[@sheriffcharliepanda8613]

I'm sure my comments been said but as a welder I agree with u Mike. You are spot on here!

[@Mr.Sir...3]

I know someone who can’t read, dropped out of school, learned to weld and now owns a multi million dollar construction company. He’s literally a millionaire welder.

[@Brand-oo4jv]

God damn that's inspiring

[@JesseG085]

I know someone with a similar story but was an equipment operator.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

No he is not. He is a business owner who welded.

[@neverstoplearning7214]

Wow

[@grandcanyon2]

@@SophiaAphrodite happens alot some guy who is bussiness owner, and has investments, passes down a wielding bussiness to hes son or family who he makes take wielding certs, or go through a apprenticeship, now you got this guy making 250k a year, while other wielders at the company make 70-80k.

[@leland6960]

I know plenty of pipeline welders that were well over 6 figures and as a field machinist my best year was 162k

[@cameronsvideos7906]

I on average make $60,000 year without OT rig welding fuel tanks for Harely Davidson. Welding is building a life for me and my family

[@rkirschner7175]

My high school schedule got messed up. 11th grade introduction to welding? Prodigy. 2hrs 12th grade? Easy A. Went on to weld all my life. Thank you Mr.Bruce. Muskegon High School. 1980.❤

[@509reeves8]

I became a certified welder because Mike Row said there was a skills gap. I'm 39 it's never to late to make money. Lots of money!! Go to a trade school.

[@AngusT.McCraken]

Anyone with even a slight degree of mechanical aptitude knows that welding is a trained skill bordering on an art form. I wish I was a better welder than I am. I live by the motto “a grinder and paint make me the welder I ain’t.”

[@watsisbuttndo829]

Could not agree more, im a mechanic that used to build my own road race motorcycles and became what i would consider better than average with oxy acetalene welding but watching the guys on youtube doing the tig stuff (6061.com) is definately an art form and worthy of high pay rates.

[@AngusT.McCraken]

@Eddie D You and I both. Hell, I’ve changed my own oil for years and done a lot of my own vehicle maintenance and my family’s for years, but I won’t call myself a mechanic. I’m lucky enough to know a good mechanic with a shop full of solid techs I can take our vehicles to when I need repairs done that are obviously outside my skills.

[@markman63]

Went to welding school, got a degree and a few certificates, every job I came across wanted to pay me $17/hour, went back to school and learned programming. Now I’m making $150k a year without breaking a sweat and without inhaling toxic fumes all day.

[@Dm-dw3tr]

same here. welded for 10 years then decided to change it up because work was never consistent. Got a STEM degree and make better money, matching 401k, tons of vacation, and no overtime. Best part? no more 2hr commute to the job site. things are becoming automated, or sent overseas. They teach welding to felons coming out of jail. While i agree its "possible" to make 100k. That's usually because you're your own business or you do tons of overtime.

[@chrisstohler1638]

It's definitely not for everyone but on a side note Elon Musk has openly made clear that he will (has done so) hire programers without degrees with adequate skill sets. Likewise, while it's not an common scenario I totally dig your perspective because it really comes down to being confident and to recognize bigger and better things are within reach all ya gotta do is pursue it to find out👍

[@ernestgalvan9037]

Wow, imagine that.. your first job in programming and you started at $150k. And yeah, toxic fumes are bad..

[@grandcanyon2]

nice. folks who come out of a trade school, will get 16-19 a hour offers, thats not enough to pay bills or save. So folks leave for IT/programming/ some do eletromechanical engineering, etc

[@grandcanyon2]

@@Dm-dw3tr i agree 100 percent, currently construction laborer trying to get into this electro/mechnical apprenticeship here in nyc, STEM is the way to go.

[@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236]

Let's talk about the tale of two people. My wife graduated hs with great grades, was in cheer in hs. Went to college and graduated towards the top of her class... With a liberal arts degree. Gets a job making like $15 per hr. Has to be at work at 5:30. Long days. Shit commute. Ect. I dropped out of school at 14 years old. Started roofing houses making $20/ hr. Opened my own company. Made my first million at 25. My wife now works for me. We make a great living. We vacation 4 weeks per year. We own a nice home and a lake house. Brand new vehicles and invest in homes as our retirement plan. We've done well. The last thing I was told right before I dropped out was by this crazy feminist math teacher we had. She told me I "didn't have what it takes" and "good luck in the real world". I secretly hope she rents from me someday. 😁

[@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236]

@Shannon Sez I've actually had that happen believe it or not. The girl I briefly dated in high school who is an extreme liberal is actually my banker. I think she probably makes a fair living so something like 20 bucks an hour but I once went in to withdraw $60,000 from her to buy a flip house and I remember the look on her face when she realized how much money I have in my account. Also for the record my wife's liberal arts degree cost nearly $70,000!!

[@doom-driveneap4569]

A lot of teachers are POS

[@blahblah5332]

Do you want a cookie?

[@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236]

@@blahblah5332 Why be angry? Im the actual living proof that some people can grow up poor and make a good living. Maybe you should listen and learn from that so you can pass that knowledge on to others who need it instead of being the problem.

[@blahblah5332]

@@discoveryoutdoorskcfishing236 Your belief of meritocracy is a myth is more harmful then good.

[@Self-Delusion]

Mike Rowe has been, and probably always will be, someone I look up to very much. He's one of the greats of our time. Champion of the workers of the world!

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

On-site job injuries, bad management, there was a huge amount of corruption in much of the union and non-union work, it was severely impacting my health, overwork, increased physical, emotional, and mental stress, etc, as well as the fact that many of the jobs were honestly just as irrelevant and expendable as many college jobs. I say this as an ex-trade worker and now who works white collar and as a self-sufficient entrepreneur.