- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
What can you tell me about being a Pipefitter?
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:11 pm
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:11 pm
19 year old here. Friend is trying to get me into it.
What kind of pay do you start off with and what can you expect 5 years down the road if you bust arse and are competent?
I'll be working working in Louisiana and at plants. Is work here generally consistent or do you have to constantly go out of state. He said we'll being working on turnarounds.
Lastly, what kind of hours can I expect. Is 5-10s the norm or 7-10s.
I'd trying googling all this but it varied so much from state to state.
What kind of pay do you start off with and what can you expect 5 years down the road if you bust arse and are competent?
I'll be working working in Louisiana and at plants. Is work here generally consistent or do you have to constantly go out of state. He said we'll being working on turnarounds.
Lastly, what kind of hours can I expect. Is 5-10s the norm or 7-10s.
I'd trying googling all this but it varied so much from state to state.
43
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:12 pm to GlobeFish
Have good insurance.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:14 pm to GlobeFish
Save in feast for times of famine.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:15 pm to GlobeFish
quote:
Friend is trying to get me into it.
I would start by asking him.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:17 pm to GlobeFish
If you are working turnarounds you probably will be working 13 days in a row at around 12 hours a day. After the day off you are back at the 13 days in a row. Pre and post TA will be a little less.
If you get good and are with the right company you can stay busy most of the year In La and fill in when needed in Texas.
The welders will blame you for all of their problems. LOL
If you get good and are with the right company you can stay busy most of the year In La and fill in when needed in Texas.
The welders will blame you for all of their problems. LOL
This post was edited on 1/22/22 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:17 pm to GlobeFish
Good honest work. Can be lucrative working turnarounds. Like what was said before-save for the down times.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:23 pm to GlobeFish
quote:
19 year old here. Friend is trying to get me into it.
The key is to get a steady plant job if do not want to travel. However a lot of the mechanical maint in the plants here is contract which means you will make less than you would as a company employee simply because there is a middle man involved. Not many of those company jobs around anymore.
Now my advice to a 19 yr old going into a craft would be either Electrical or Instrumentation if you have the aptitude for it. These jobs are precious commodities to plants and are often company rather than contract.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:24 pm to GlobeFish
Spoiler Alert
Your Uncle Bob is gonna die. RIP brah.
Your Uncle Bob is gonna die. RIP brah.
This post was edited on 1/22/22 at 12:27 pm
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:32 pm to GlobeFish
quote:
What kind of pay do you start off with and what can you expect 5 years down the road if you bust arse and are competent?
Pay is pretty good for the work and requirements. However, depending on your ability and intelligence, you’ll be working around a bunch of dumbasses with a few quality guys mixed in. Unfortunately, pay won’t progress too well in 5 years unless you can advance and run a crew or pick up a more exclusive craft (welding, crane operator, E&I).
quote:
He said we'll being working on turnarounds. Lastly, what kind of hours can I expect. Is 5-10s the norm or 7-10s.
Turnarounds are 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week. You’ll usually get your 14th day off, but it’s back at it after that. It’s exhausting and gets old after a month or so. But you get paid a premium for working all the time. If you can find steady work with the occasional TA, that’s usually preferred to bouncing from TA to TA.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:36 pm to GlobeFish
It’s a decent job but not a career. Chasing turnarounds isn’t a way to live
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:37 pm to GlobeFish
Imma bout to fit this pipe in your mama
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:40 pm to GlobeFish
You will start out as a Pipe Fitter Helper, and undergo 30 days to 3 months of training. Job is considered HEAVY duty which means ... Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 50 - 100 Lbs. occasionally; 20 - 50 Lbs. frequently; 10 - 20 Lbs. constantly. Frequent climbing, handling, and reaching.
Assists PIPE FITTER (construction) to assemble and install piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems:
Tasks
1. Cuts or drills holes in walls to permit passage of pipes, using pneumatic drill.
2. Selects specified type and size of pipe.
3. Mounts pipe hangers and brackets on walls and ceiling to hold pipe.
4. Assists PIPE FITTER (construction) to install valves, couplings, and other fittings.
5. Performs other duties as described under HELPER (any industry) Master Title.
May Also Include:
1. May disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
Wages are commensurate on your experience and the job location. DOL/BLS reported wages for Lake Charles, LA in May 2020 range from $16.33/hour (25th percentile), to $19.23 (Median). Annual wages are $28,860 to $39,990 respectively.
The turnaround might be 15 days up to several months. If you have contacts with a supervisor/foreman, you can sign on for out of State jobs and make lots of money with OT. Most PF will buy a travel trailer to live in when OOS. You get paid per diem as it is cheaper to live in a trailer vs. a local hotel.
I know a pipefitter with 20 years experience, who worked for Turner Industries and he was making approx. $40 per hour. He was always traveling OOS to make more money with OT pay on 3-4 month turnarounds.
Assists PIPE FITTER (construction) to assemble and install piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems:
Tasks
1. Cuts or drills holes in walls to permit passage of pipes, using pneumatic drill.
2. Selects specified type and size of pipe.
3. Mounts pipe hangers and brackets on walls and ceiling to hold pipe.
4. Assists PIPE FITTER (construction) to install valves, couplings, and other fittings.
5. Performs other duties as described under HELPER (any industry) Master Title.
May Also Include:
1. May disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
Wages are commensurate on your experience and the job location. DOL/BLS reported wages for Lake Charles, LA in May 2020 range from $16.33/hour (25th percentile), to $19.23 (Median). Annual wages are $28,860 to $39,990 respectively.
The turnaround might be 15 days up to several months. If you have contacts with a supervisor/foreman, you can sign on for out of State jobs and make lots of money with OT. Most PF will buy a travel trailer to live in when OOS. You get paid per diem as it is cheaper to live in a trailer vs. a local hotel.
I know a pipefitter with 20 years experience, who worked for Turner Industries and he was making approx. $40 per hour. He was always traveling OOS to make more money with OT pay on 3-4 month turnarounds.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:43 pm to GlobeFish
I fit my pipe in your mom last night
Posted on 1/22/22 at 12:51 pm to GlobeFish
Listen to Getmorewithles and bgtiger:
quote:
Now my advice to a 19 yr old going into a craft would be either Electrical or Instrumentation if you have the aptitude for it. These jobs are precious commodities to plants and are often company rather than contract.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 1:08 pm to GlobeFish
People just want to make millions in crypto nowadays. No one wants to spend their time working their lives away anymore!! Damn kids
Posted on 1/22/22 at 1:11 pm to GlobeFish
quote:
Now my advice to a 19 yr old going into a craft would be either Electrical or Instrumentation if you have the aptitude for it.
Second this. I'd also go with instrumentation. I always joked that they were the guys dumb enough to mess with high voltage but smart enough to know not to.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 1:12 pm to GlobeFish
I did electrical construction for a few years before getting on with a plant as an electrician, then became an operator 15 years ago.
As a pipe fitter, be prepared to pull on wrenches all day long, in breathing air, while wearing a harness, and dressed out in a chem suit.
You will make very good money, but you will earn it. If you do it right, you can work about 6 months a year. Most turnaround are 30-90 days long. New construction projects are probably 60-120 days long. You work a couple turnarounds, and then take a few weeks off.
Pipe fitting can be (and is) a dangerous job, especially working a TA for an active plant.
As a pipe fitter, be prepared to pull on wrenches all day long, in breathing air, while wearing a harness, and dressed out in a chem suit.
You will make very good money, but you will earn it. If you do it right, you can work about 6 months a year. Most turnaround are 30-90 days long. New construction projects are probably 60-120 days long. You work a couple turnarounds, and then take a few weeks off.
Pipe fitting can be (and is) a dangerous job, especially working a TA for an active plant.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 1:12 pm to GlobeFish
Look on the fire protection side of this trade. Current crop is aging out and the industry across the country is hurting for people.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 1:43 pm to GlobeFish
For those with good work ethic and some brains, it’s a really good profession. If you want a bit more flexible hours, you may want to stop at ‘plumber’.
Pipe fitters can make quite a bit more but like anything, it’s what you’re willing to give up.
Pipe fitters can make quite a bit more but like anything, it’s what you’re willing to give up.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News