r/financialindependence • u/fidgit86 • 9d ago

What do you do that you earn six figures?

It seems like a lot of people make a lot of money and it seems like I’m missing out on something. So those of you that do, whats your occupation that pays so well?

15k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

View all comments

57

u/Johnthegaptist 9d ago

Construction management

5

u/BruddahBear 9d ago

How does one get into this? Do you like it?

18

u/Johnthegaptist 9d ago

I came from the field side but there's also degrees for it. If you're just looking to transition, you could always start applying at construction companies for junior positions. I love it, but you have to be a little fucked up to enjoy it.

5

u/BruddahBear 9d ago

Looking for a transition, currently in logistics. Was thinking construction may be an interesting route. Fucked up I get lol .

6

u/Johnthegaptist 9d ago

In my opinion you're golden, you should be able to find someone who shares my same thought process and get on somewhere. A construction site is a giant logistics problem waiting to be solved. Trying to get a bunch of parts and people moving in the most efficient manner. Any chance you're in Ohio or Kentucky?

1

u/Atlas_is_my_son 9d ago

I'm in Ohio and am way interested in this.

Lmk!

4

u/Intrepid_Salamander7 9d ago

A little fucked is right. My partner did this for a few years. She was the only woman in her company. Finally, we had the "This job is insane and terrible and you need to get out." She took a pay cut to leave. Could have been partly company culture, which was miserable, too.

2

u/Accomplished-Bad3380 9d ago

If she enjoys the work, just keep pushing on. There are decent companies that respect women in the industry.

2

u/Intrepid_Salamander7 9d ago

She's happy with the new industry and job.

1

u/Ottorange 9d ago

I'm looking to fill a junior role in NJ if people are reading this

5

u/pollock89 9d ago edited 9d ago

I've been one for 8 years after getting a Construction management degree. Just under 100k. It is a grind most weeks. High demands, high stress. Certainly keeps you on your toes and very busy most days. It is definitely not for everyone. I run around 3 projects at a time. Thick skins are needed. Owners, subs and some architects/EORs can all be ruthless. I'm personally looking to get myself out of it. I ebb and flow with burnout on a regular basis depending on the time period of the projects and I've had enough. Sometimes it is cool to see a tangible product at the very end, but personally, I see my finished projects as monuments to my stresses and I never really have that sense of accomplishment some people like to say they get in this profession. Is what it is for me. Company fit is important too. Proper tools, resources and project team underneath you to manage is important and makes a huge difference too.

2

u/MainlineX 9d ago

I was feeling much like you describe. After COVID hit and we never even slowed cause we were "essential", we had 3 waves go through 2 of my projects. After 15 years as a PM I had enough. Wrapped up my big 2 year project last July, got my bonus and hit the door. I've been out for right at a year now.

I feel so much better without all the stress. Sleep soundly for 9 hours a night, no more fighting with subs to do their jobs right, no more fighting customers for money, no more bitchy inspectors, no more paperwork on the weekend because I had to spend 3 days on site to solve problems.

Don't want to even think about what I would feel like if I was in the middle of a years long contract when material prices jumped 400%.

Now I do a little day trading, and I'm working on opening a classic car restoration and hotrod shop.

Life is so much better.

1

u/chris_0972 8d ago

Couldn't agree more. I am in this line for the past 15 years too. Too hectic and tired. Regret why not getting a banking & finance course last time. Now hesitating of switching career but dilemma on the pay cut.. lol.

2

u/bern1312 9d ago edited 7d ago

We pay 85-115 for custom home construction management - one high end job at a time as a site super/pm hybrid with a project admin to help with all the tracking and paperwork. We need to hire two more, but not finding anyone. Qualifications: have built/remodeled houses, detail oriented, logistically inclined.

In Portland, OR

1

u/Kwanzaa246 9d ago

Would you hire someone with a CM degree, engineering diploma, industrial and naval engineering experience, and used to install sprinkler systems part time?

1

u/bern1312 7d ago

The degree and mindset is appealing. But residential-specific knowledge is most important.

1

u/Kwanzaa246 7d ago

I'm actually considering starting a trade since my building experience is nothing. Do refrigeration mechanics develop enough knowledge for PM jobs or do you guys look for carpenters/plumbers etc

1

u/bern1312 6d ago

Generally we’re looking for carpenters. But it seems like you’d make more/equal money as a refrigeration mechanic though? Highly recommend going into a trade. With drive, you could be running your own business pretty quickly. There’s such a demand with no end in sight right now. A lot of the outfits we deal with are run by guys who are set to retire, with no one to take their place.

1

u/Kwanzaa246 6d ago

My understanding is refrigeration makes more then most trades, its not uncommon to see $50 an hour for red seal while other building trades average $33 to $37.

I thoroughly enjoy working with my hands as opposed to staring at books. I might have to consider this.

Thanks

1

u/knownoctopus 9d ago

Location?

1

u/bern1312 7d ago

Portland, OR

1

u/hereforthefire 9d ago

Where is this? Sounds like something my friend would absolutely love. He's always wanted to do custom homes.

2

u/bern1312 7d ago

Portland, OR

2

u/Unit-Murky 9d ago

What city and salary?

2

u/Giants_1239 9d ago

Also in construction management and over 6 figures. Not easy and it can be long hours but the money keeps me going.

1

u/thuglife2009 9d ago

How many years of experience? I’m at 8 (5 real years + 3 at a shitty company where I didn’t get particularly good experience) and I’m starting to look at new companies because I think I could be making more.

2

u/Johnthegaptist 9d ago

12 years in construction, 5 years in management.

1

u/jle2013 9d ago

So is that 17 years total or 12 years in construction, with 5 of those being management? Also, what year did you hit 6 figures? I’m asking because I actually have a degree in construction management but decided to go with a career in finance instead.

2

u/Johnthegaptist 9d ago

12 years total. I hit 6 figures 8 years in but made between 85-95k my last two years in the field.

1

u/hereforthefire 9d ago

Very similar here. Hit $100k for first time in my 7th year counting bonuses. 8th year for just salary. Currently 10 years experience. Started in construction right out of college with a structural engineering degree.

No field experience, but I have a much better grasp on how to build than the other PM's in my office that don't have field experience. Those guys get the paper pushing jobs. I get the jobs with a lot of self perform work.

1

u/conman526 9d ago

Just finished my first year as a project engineer. Working for a small company doing really tiny tiny tenant improvements (literally like install a rail here please, that's the entire project). The projects arent that interesting but my coworkers and company are awesome. If i don't get the raise i want this year I'll jump for a company with more interesting projects though.

Happy with the pay, but not liking the anxiety and long hours sometimes.

1

u/xdylanxfrommyspace 9d ago

I just got my GC license and am wanting to transition into a superintendent gig. I have several years each of construction and management experience. Any tips or suggestions?