Hello I'm new to the site and to this industry in general.  I live in the Mid cities area and have noticed several concrete pumping companies all over the area.  I am very interested in getting more info about this type of job and what one needs to do to get on with one of these companies.  I dont have any experience other then driving a CDL truck, but would love to become a boom operator. 

I have noticed a lof of these companies want experience, so would I have any shot in applying or do they start you off at the bottom?

How is the job security in this industry?  Is it an 8 hour a day 5 days a week type of schedule?

What is the starting pay for a Boom Operator?

Out of all the companies in the DFW area, which ones are the best to work for and which ones should I avoid applying to? 

If anybody from this area want to PM me more info I would give me advice I would appreciate it.

This is a crazy business I'm a owner operator you really need to start out learning on a line pump then if you can cut it  then someone will teach you all the rope it will seam like a lot with a line pump know what will pump and what want will go a long way when you get to a Boom at least if you plug a line pump its a lot easyer to clean out if you plug a boom pump its called a PARTY and once you do you will understand what I said.

I'm not in Texas

GOOD LUCK

the hours are whatever they are. Some weeks you'll work 20-30, others you'll work 70-80. Some days you'll get up at 1AM to do a job, other days later than that. Some times you'll have to travel and stay at hotels to do jobs, other days you'll go home at night after the job. Some days you'll be in the shop working on the trucks, repairing any problems you noticed on the job, Other days you'll just stay home waiting for a call from dispatch

Pay rates vary from Employer to Employer and state to state. Depending whether your in a city, or rural area.

line pumping is the way to go starting out. Especially in the winter time, because you'll get lots of experience because thats when the highest volume of trailer pumping is. Theres a lot lower risk of damaging equipment, as the trailers are way less expensive. Think of it this way, used, nice condition 2010 Schwing 32X is about $500-$600,000.00 USD, a Schwing SP1000 Trailer pump is about $80-$100,000.00. Still a lot of $$$ but if something goes wrong, its a lot less expensive to replace than a $600,000 piece of equipment.

Make sure that if you do get hired with a company, to request as much information as possible such as videos, manuals, etc.. Learn about the equipment as much as possible before jumping into running one. And even when you read all the documents and watch all the videos, Dont be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one not asked!

Good luck on your job hunt, and i hope it works out for ya

~Brandon

note that being an operator is not just a job, it is a way of life. if you don't love it and have no passion about the machines and just try to enter it for the money, you won't last for a year. remember that a boss who hires you will invest about 20000$ into teaching you the job, before you are able to work without troubles and accidents. if you are not going to last, it is trow-away-money.

I pumped in th DFW area over 10 years ago. A great place to live and work. I worked for Central and there a great family owned concrete pumping company. Starting out is rough. I don't know if anyone in the area is hiring or even willing to train. If this economy turns around there might be luck in finding work in the industry.