Post date: Jan 25, 2018 6:00:26 PM
As I wrote the check for the frame on my new addition I had to do some reflecting and math. $3800 for eight hours of work with an hour lunch break so essentially seven hours of work. This was a friendly total cost as my father-in-law knew the contractor for 20 years. This doesn’t count material expenses and subcontractors that he had working for them. But assuming $3800 for a full eight hour workday multiplied by five days a week multiplied by 50 weeks a year, considering two weeks of vacation if it is taken, roughly equates to $950,000 for the year. Now, this contractor has been in business for over 30 years so he has the experience and reputation. But, how many other sectors could you make this amount after 30 years? With no college degree? I have two college degrees in education and the best I could hope to make within the school system would be as a school superintendent would be in the $300,000 range and that would have to be in the right school system and come with a guaranteed outcry.
Watched these guys not only perform manual labor but make calculations and adjustments in their heads, adjust angles on wood cuts without measuring. Remember and apply local building codes, which change according to the township you’re building.
⁃this is not to say that students need to remember building code laws; but I would venture to say this information would be more relevant and important to know than facts about random academics or Shakespeare
⁃ Memorizing information within a field you’re interested with the intent of applying that information is more valuable than being forced to learn about most content required in the typical American high school
We know that money doesn’t buy happiness but I know a lot of people that would sleep better at night making $475 an hour.
ML 1/15/18