Money??

[Phil]

If there has been a previous post in regards to this topic i apologize...


I would like to here from you company owners/managers, and I guess anyone who climbs for work for that matter, how much money a full time climber should could make starting out. Keep in mind my situation (pending one more year of school)... 2 summers as an intern for the company I would work full time for...a bachelors degree in Urban Forestry...2.5 years of climbing experience (including PHC)...and formal training in rigging principles and techniques.

The company (can you guess which one?) is a large coast to coast company with many offices. In the office I work for, one of the arborists asked If i had given any thoughts as to post graduation employment options. He suggested that I come back full time depending on how the other arborists felt. I can assure you, if a spot is open they would hire me is basically what was said. I was planning on asking if i could come back after graduation full time anyway so this was pretty sweet for me. Then i started to think about renting an apartment and all that fun stuff that costs money (i don't have to rent right now because the company i work for pays for an apartment for me and a couple other interns). I know climbers are gonna be waged employees, but how much can i make in a year as a climber (working at least 40 hr weeks...avg is 45-50) More importantly I am looking for an hourly rate to go off of so i know what is a fair wage. As an intern I make $9/hr which to me isn't bad because I get a free apartment.

I really want to work for this company, but If i spent all my money on rent and car insurance, is it really worth it? Any input would great.

 

[tinman44]

thats pretty good for an intern i thought most interns were basically volunteers. anyways i have no idea what you should be paid, however you should ask if they have pay scale in writing. basically like a union. lots of large companies do have a pay scale and a level system.

 

[willie]

well with the experience you said you have and working for them 2 summers i would think 15-16 bucks an hour anyway. id pay a real hard working guy that wanted to learn to climb 12-14 to start if he could stay busy. jmo

 

[Phil]

[ QUOTE ]
lots of large companies do have a pay scale and a level system.

[/ QUOTE ]
They do infact have a level system and associated pay scale. I'm going to try to see if I can participate in the level system now as in intern and just be ahead of the game when I graduate. This also brings up another question I have for you folks...what types of skill level quantification do you use for your employess or your employers use for you? The company I work for uses climber apprentice...climber I...climber II...climber III and some EHAL (Electrical Hazard Awareness Level) qualifications.

 

[Brock2saws]

There are several national companies. A few phone calls and you could get an idea of what they pay starting climbers and what experience they expect.

Consider getting the ISA Tree Worker/Climbing Specialist cert. You sound like you're well prepared for the certification and your company would probably be willing to help defray some of the cost. You could use that cert to shop yourself to some other companies.

If you limit yourself to just one company, you're doing yourself a disservice.

Good luck,
BAB

 

[Phil]

Asking the other national companies is an awesome idea. I might just do that. I have thought about the Cert. Tree worker exam and I have been in contact with a fellow who is involved with it. My company, as far as I know, does not use that cert. for anything skill wise. That suggests to me they might not pay for even a portion of the fee, but I will investigate and who knows, they may just pay up. Thanks for the advice. I do need to do everything to make myself as marketable to other companies as I can.

Peace
Phil