The Skilled Trade Rescue Newsletter: Mentoring People in the Skilled Trades for Success in Business and Life.
Is Your Future Wage Looking Up?
Listen up. If you’re waiting for the economy to level out, or for things to get easier, you’re playing a losing game.
In the trades, your "future wage" isn't a number pulled out of a hat by some guy in a suit; it’s the direct result of how much of an irreplaceable asset you choose to become.
Be an irreplacable asset
We’re standing at a weird crossroads in North American labor. We’ve got high-tech sensors and BIM modeling on one side, and on the other, we have infrastructure held together by "that’s how it’s always been done knowledge" that’s retiring every single day. If you want to be the highest-paid person on the job site, you need to be the bridge between those two worlds.
The Humility to Bridge the Gap
Right now, there’s a massive transfer of wealth happening—not in money, but in expertise. You already know the "Old Timers"—those guys who have been turning wrenches since the 70s—are retiring. Most young guys make the mistake of thinking they know better because they can run a tablet or use the latest diagnostic software.
That’s a rookie mistake.
The veteran on your crew knows why a system acts up when the humidity hits 90%. They know the "ghost in the machine" that the software hasn't been programmed to find yet. Having the humility to shut up, grab them a coffee, and ask, "How did you know that was going to happen?" is the fastest way to double your value.
When you combine their "old school" intuition with your ability to master new technology, you become more irreplaceable. You can troubleshoot the ancient boiler and program the new VFD. That balance makes you the person the boss literally cannot afford to lose. That’s not a job; that’s leverage.
The Power of "Inter Trade" Knowledge
You don't need to be a "jack of all trades and master of none," but you absolutely need to be a Master of One and a Student of Many. Take every opportunity to look over the shoulder of the other crews. If you’re a sparky, learn how the tin-knockers run their ductwork. If you’re a plumber, understand the structural load points the framers are worried about.
Why? Two reasons:
1. Site Efficency
When you understand how your work affects the next guy, you stop making mistakes that cause rework. You become the person who makes the whole project move faster.
2. Networking & Communication
On a big job site, your reputation is your currency. If you can speak the language of three different trades, you’re the one who gets promoted to Lead or Super. You aren't just a laborer; you're a coordinator.
Track Your Growth (The "Receipts" Strategy)
You wouldn’t run a job without a blueprint, so don’t run your career without a ledger. Every time you learn a new skill—whether it’s a formal cert or a "trick of the trade" from a mentor—write it down. Keep a "Skill Log." When it’s time to talk about your wage, don’t walk in and say, "I’ve been here 4 years and things are expensive." That’s a plea, not a negotiation. Instead, walk in with a list:
- "I mastered the new PLC diagnostic tool."
- "I shadowed the lead millwright and can now handle ______ independently."
- "I coordinated with the HVAC crew to reduce our install time by 10%."
When you show your boss that you are actively building your value, the conversation changes from "Can I have more?" to "Here is the value I’m delivering; let’s align my pay with it."
Want Some Scripts to Guide You?
Knowing your worth is one thing; saying it out loud is another. If you're ready to stop guessing and start earning, head over to Skilled Trade Rescue.com.
On the Skilled Trade Pros path, you’ll find resources designed JUST for you—including field-tested scripts and tips on how to talk to your boss about a raise without it being awkward.
Your future wage is in your hands. Get the help you need at:
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