I was just curious what the regional differences were in terms of wages. I saw someone say in another post that experienced operators in their area were getting $20-25.00 an hour. I was kind of surprised. I know wages do vary from one area to another, but I didn't think the difference was that big. Our scale here in northern Illinois is $41.55 plus an extra .50 cents for long boom pay if you're over 90'. I run a conveyor, but the scale is the same for both machines. I know it's kind of a personal question, but I thought it would be interesting to see how much it differs from one area to another.

I personally think it depends on the company. Some outfits want to lift their employees up and keep paying. Others  want to pay enough so you don't quit! The $20-$25 range is about rite for ME, NH, and MA. If you are lucky and in the union the bennies are + $17. That's what I"m Talking about!!

What is the cost of living where you are? Maine has a, I sit on my fat ass, watch cable and smoke cigarettes all day tax! It's tough to pay when the welfare wagon takes it all!!

The cost of living isn't too bad here. An average house runs anywhere from the high 100's to the low 300's. It varies quite a bit in about a 100mi. radius of Chicago. I'm in a rural area about 65mi. outside of the city, but the expansion is getting closer every year.

You're right about the benefits, I forgot those. Our total package is $57.28 that includes the long boom pay. The overtime is double-time after 8 hours, that makes a big difference too I guess.

Does your union require ACPA certification? How often are you out every week?

Russ

Wow,
You guys must make a bundle there. Thats a great package.

Russ

Since I run a belt I'm not sure about the ACPA certification, if I get a chance I'll ask around and find out. As far as hours go, I usually get 45-60 per week, although we're a little slow now with the cold. Most of the municipalities in this area have a temperature restriction for pouring, anywhere from 20-28 degrees and rising. Most of the pump guys I've talked to get hours comparable to ours, maybe a little less. We have allot of customers that use us as a matter of convenience, rather than necessity. I'm sure that’s due to the fact that we run stone also, but there are plenty of jobs where a pump is the way to go. I think it pretty much evens out.

No one told Florida wages can be that high, where i am your lucky for every penny you get and hope theres enough work the next week to get you another check worth staying for

Ok here is what we have for pay scales so far, come on guys lets us know what you make.

1.       Northern Illinois is $41.55 plus an extra .50 cents for long boom pay if you're over 90'.

2. ME, NH, and MA $20-$25 range is about right. If you are lucky and in the union the bennies are + $17
3. Florida wages are between 15.00 and 25.00 per hr

In Florida wages are between 15.00 and 25.00 per hr depending on experience and what size boom you run, over time after 40.  Insurance is a killer most places a family plan will cost you 150+ per week. Its been real slow last couple of months with a lot of Operators struggling to make 40hrs.

When making 40 plus dollars an hour,How much are the rental rates in order to still make a profit?OK,with making 41.55 an hour,how much do you make in a year?It seems to be in the 100,000 range.You are being paid alot more than our operators,do you do your own maintenance work on the truck,and they pay you 41.55 to wash a pump truck?

If an operator is really special, does it really mater what he makes an hour. That is the problem with this industry, owners and manangers want to ram the bat up the operators rear end.  And people who have no selling skills who cut prices instead of actually selling something.  I pay my operators more than anyone else in my area, and i have the cream of the crop, i can sleep at night and can spend time with my family.    Or i could screw my guys for a few dollars and hour and have twice the stress.     If you pay for dirt guess what you get.....DIRT.  and with  pumps costing millions of dollars i do not want dirt running them.   It is something that guy who is number 2 never learned.

As I mentioned I actually run a conveyor, the scale is the same as a pump though, (here anyway). Our rates are $150.00 per hour for concrete, $200.00 per hour for stone, $75.00 per hour for travel, and $2.75 per yard on the concrete.

You're in the right ballpark for the annual income, it does fluctuate depending on how busy we stay during the winter months.

We're pretty small, it's just me and my boss. We do all of our own maintenance, and at least 80% of our own repairs. I don't think it's fair to charge him full scale for shop time, so I usually donate about 20-40% of that. Because of union audits, he can't risk paying me less than scale, so it's less risky to just not report some of the hours. During the winter I may have 20+ hours of shop time per week, the rest of the year it's more like 2 or 3 hours per week. Most of the bigger companies around here have full time mechanics, so their operators don't get as much shop time.

I don't mind answering questions. I just hope everyone knows it wasn't my intention to make this a thread about me. I was just curious about the different scales and or pay rates.

 What do you mean by calling inexperienced operators ,dirt,you are either owner,or manager of a company,and must have been treated poorly in the past,but an inexperienced operator or someone that will not dedicate their life to a pump truck is not dirt.One cannot judge a person by how they act on a mat poor,they might not be "in to it" as much as some operators,but they are not dirt.But when you get a little deeper,don't we all end up as the aforementioned word...Having been in the business for a while some of the most grounded individuals,are the ones who work,in the dirt

I  was not talking about rookies. Usually with them they have it or they do not. I am talking about the guy that goes on all jobs with a positive attitude and a strong desire to do the job as best and as safe as he can. Keeps his truck clean is on time and never calls off. That guys is the special one, that is the operator you can not worry about what he makes. And as far as Family goes i incourage it, i want my guys with their family. It makes them better. There is nothing more important in the world than family!!

very good,then

I think we all knew what you meant. Motivation comes from within. We should all strive to be that "go to guy" when it comes to any job we do. All rookies out their keep charging forward and doing the best job you can, don't be afraid to ask for help, and make good decisions and you will be fine.!

Russ

Mark F just so you no the scale as of july first is 42.55 plus $.75 for long boom 43.30 total.And housing is 200k to 700k for middle class, and i know he does not pay your doubletime. fox