My Car Mechanics Post Labor Rate = $110 per hour. Why don't more HS kids train as mechanics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because everyone now has to go to college and STEM has replaced shop. As shop class went away so did the vocational school track.

Actually everyone SHOULDN'T go to college but try telling that to the helicopter parents.

False.

Simply stating “False” is not a very strong counter argument. You might have a point. Why not actually make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your mechanic part of a garage or does she own it?

110 an hour pays for the mechanic (probably 18 an hour. Up to 25/30 depending on experience and models worked on), rent, warranty, tools like lifts and air compressors, shop supplies, consumables, etc, etc.

Then the mechanic’s personal expenses. Tools (probably 50k worth), education, certifications, etc.

Yes. You can make a decent living. But the mechanic is not making 110 an hour. Nope.

If a mechanic is working in a shop he/she probably gets half or $55 per hour ($110k per year). But if he self employed he can earn much more than that.

Maybe the master at the Porsche/Mercedes/Ferrari/Lamborghini shop, but no way a ASE guy at a shop or dealer. No chance.

The $110 rate is posted at my regular old mechanic shop in a corner gas station - not a dealership for foreign car shop.

And that guys is not making 55 an hour guaranteed. Maybe 20.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea. We have two family friends with children who became mechanics.

The kids just never had an interest in college and the parents didn't push it. They're far better off than the siblings who went to college. They have boats and motorcycles, starter homes, and they travel a lot.

There's something simpler about it, like they're better for not getting caught up in the hoopla of what they're "supposed to" be doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know some college educated people with Masters Degrees that make less than that <$75K and they have piles of college loans.

Seems to me that trade school might be a better return than a Liberal Arts degree.

There is nothing wrong with being a mechanic but, not everyone can. Also, I firmly believe that more liberal arts majors mean better educated society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea. We have two family friends with children who became mechanics.

The kids just never had an interest in college and the parents didn't push it. They're far better off than the siblings who went to college. They have boats and motorcycles, starter homes, and they travel a lot.

There's something simpler about it, like they're better for not getting caught up in the hoopla of what they're "supposed to" be doing.

Good for them.

If I did it all over (and had the benefit of hindsight), I would have certainly explored a trade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because rich parents won’t dare let their offspring get their hands dirty.

This is probably the truth. Even though cars will drive themselves some day, cars won't be fixing them. In the future computers won't replace them like they will other jobs - like lawyers, doctors, etc.. There is a shortage of mechanics, so there is good job security. The pay is very good. A mechanic will always be able to keep his families cars on the road without spending a ton of money. You don't need much training to begin the career - which means less student loan debt.

[Anonymous]

I worked the counter at a car dealership service bay in high school. The mechanic has a book that says how long a typical job will take (say a tire change = 1 hour). So they bill an hour of labor. But really if they are fast and/or sloppy, they can do it in 20 minutes. So they can charge for "one hour of labor" for only 20 minutes of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea. We have two family friends with children who became mechanics.

The kids just never had an interest in college and the parents didn't push it. They're far better off than the siblings who went to college. They have boats and motorcycles, starter homes, and they travel a lot.

There's something simpler about it, like they're better for not getting caught up in the hoopla of what they're "supposed to" be doing.

But, it sounds like they are caught up in buying more stuff which doesn't always make you happier.

[Anonymous]

They can train for anything they want AFTER going to college. We would be happy to have a car mechanic in the family.It would be a fine way to make a living, perfectly fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your mechanic part of a garage or does she own it?

110 an hour pays for the mechanic (probably 18 an hour. Up to 25/30 depending on experience and models worked on), rent, warranty, tools like lifts and air compressors, shop supplies, consumables, etc, etc.

Then the mechanic’s personal expenses. Tools (probably 50k worth), education, certifications, etc.

Yes. You can make a decent living. But the mechanic is not making 110 an hour. Nope.

If a mechanic is working in a shop he/she probably gets half or $55 per hour ($110k per year). But if he self employed he can earn much more than that.

Maybe the master at the Porsche/Mercedes/Ferrari/Lamborghini shop, but no way a ASE guy at a shop or dealer. No chance.

The $110 rate is posted at my regular old mechanic shop in a corner gas station - not a dealership for foreign car shop.

And that guys is not making 55 an hour guaranteed. Maybe 20.

You are mistaken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know some college educated people with Masters Degrees that make less than that <$75K and they have piles of college loans.

Seems to me that trade school might be a better return than a Liberal Arts degree.

There is nothing wrong with being a mechanic but, not everyone can. Also, I firmly believe that more liberal arts majors mean better educated society.

I bet PP generally agrees. But I think their point is that society pushes everyone into college and denigrates those who don’t. You are automatically a loser if you choose trade school. You’re stupid and defective. I think PP is simply stating the obvious. That attitude is shitty. And people should be proud to follow their talent and interest. If that’s wrenching fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$110 per hour is good money, more than a living wage. Plus fewer education expenses. Seems like a steady occupation, why don't more kids train for this job?

Long answer made short: The U.S. has largely abandoned the vocational track in its schools. To our detriment, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your mechanic part of a garage or does she own it?

110 an hour pays for the mechanic (probably 18 an hour. Up to 25/30 depending on experience and models worked on), rent, warranty, tools like lifts and air compressors, shop supplies, consumables, etc, etc.

Then the mechanic’s personal expenses. Tools (probably 50k worth), education, certifications, etc.

Yes. You can make a decent living. But the mechanic is not making 110 an hour. Nope.

If a mechanic is working in a shop he/she probably gets half or $55 per hour ($110k per year). But if he self employed he can earn much more than that.

Maybe the master at the Porsche/Mercedes/Ferrari/Lamborghini shop, but no way a ASE guy at a shop or dealer. No chance.

The $110 rate is posted at my regular old mechanic shop in a corner gas station - not a dealership for foreign car shop.

And that guys is not making 55 an hour guaranteed. Maybe 20.

You are mistaken.

Ok. Do your local shop charges 110 pays the wrench 55 and has 55 dollars leftover to pay rent, expenses, payroll taxes, etc. and afterwards the shop makes 28 cents an hour off repair work. Sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because rich parents won’t dare let their offspring get their hands dirty.

This is probably the truth. Even though cars will drive themselves some day, cars won't be fixing them. In the future computers won't replace them like they will other jobs - like lawyers, doctors, etc.. There is a shortage of mechanics, so there is good job security. The pay is very good. A mechanic will always be able to keep his families cars on the road without spending a ton of money. You don't need much training to begin the career - which means less student loan debt.

I disagree that the "Rich" don't want their kids to get their hands dirty. I'd happily give my child the $300k we have saved for college should they want to pursue a trade. They have trust funds so I'd much rather that they take advantage of their luck and do something that makes them happy- especially a career that allows a healthy work/life balance. I'd rather have my kids working 40 hours a week as small business owners or mechanics than 80 hours a week as lawyers.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people in Prince William do, just not people around here. Electricians and plumbers make good money. There is a plumber on here who says he makes $200k a year.