Yahoo Finance Tradie reveals huge downside to $200,000 crane operating job
While the job makes him a lot of money, he's had to make a big compromise.
A crane operator has revealed the huge salary he earns after many years of hard grafting but says it does come at a cost.
Tradies have been opening up about how much money they earn, despite that being a big workplace taboo for decades.
Some are pulling in a solid six figures a year, however, as Biggie Smalls once said: “More money, more problems”.
Do you have a story about working in construction? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
This crane operator revealed he was pulling in more than $200,000 by working between 40 and 70 hours per week. He said the sometimes long hours were a big downside to the job that he “loves”.
When asked about the work-life balance, he admitted it was “hard on the family”.
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“There’s gotta be a lot of compromise with the family, for sure,” he said in a video with employment service GetAhead.
Not only that, but the job sounds fairly dangerous. He said he’d had some “pretty close calls” while on a site.
He got into the industry because he “loves being outside” and was interested in cranes, so he followed his passion. Despite the time away from his family and the risks attached to the job, he encouraged others to consider applying.
“Yeah, it’s worthwhile, definitely worth doing,” he said. “It’s a great industry to be in, especially construction. Yeah, nah, loving it.”
The tradie explained the training to get licensed was fairly extensive.
According to SEEK, wannabe crane operators must obtain a high-risk work licence, working-at-heights accreditation, intermediate rigging accreditation and a dogging licence (which relates to being a specialist in slinging and guiding loads handled correctly by cranes) through Safe Work Australia.
They then need a White Card, which will allow them to enter construction sites anywhere in Australia.
They’ll also be required to have Heavy Combination (HC) and Heavy Rigid (HR) truck licences and complete a Certificate III in Construction Crane Operations (CPC32912).
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