Originally Posted by
RockyBoy
I own a business up there and have 6 CDL drivers. They work 3 on 1 off and easily make 100K. It's not uncommon for my guys to make 10K a month. Might be a thing of the past here soon though with low oil. We'll see in about 6 months.
I paid a guy to weld a hole in a trailer. Basic steel trailer, easy weld job. Took him about 10 minutes plus about an hour of driving time to get to us. Charged me $600. I think he was making 200K. He did have his own rig and business.
How much of that $600 do you think went to liability insurance off the top? Then add another 30% for government taxes. Cost of the rig, mx, consumables, various government fees, marketing, office space, the list goes on. Plus being contract he's not making that day in and day out (although I hear work up in ND, UT, NM is pretty steady).
If y'all think you can drop a couple grand and take a 6 month community college course, get a 4G cert, and make $100/hr 40+ hours a week go for it.
Personally, I wouldn't quit your day job, welding (real welding) is an art/science/engineering all rolled up into one trade.