Plumber apprentice in the US: $90,000 at age 25
A young man who started in fast food earned $90,000 as a plumber apprentice in 2023. Is that normal in the US? The cost of living in California vs Texas makes the difference.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Plumber apprentice in the US: $90,000 at 25
A young man who started at McDonald's at 16 shared his career path on Reddit: at 25, in 2023, as a plumber apprentice, he was earning nearly $90,000 gross. The figure, which has circulated in Spanish economic circles, raises two questions: is it the norm or the exception? And how much is that money really worth depending on where you live?
In Texas, according to testimonies from the thread, a construction laborer can earn $500 for an afternoon spreading wood chips. In California, on the other hand, $90,000 isn't enough to save: rent and taxes eat it all up. The contrast with Spain is brutal: a plumber with years of experience rarely exceeds €30,000 a year.
The story leaves an uncomfortable lesson: in the US, skilled trades can be lucrative, but it all depends on the state and the cost of living. It's not all gold that glitters, but it's not the mirage some paint it to be either.
Related discussions in the forum
A young man who started at McDonald's at 16 shared his career path on Reddit: at 25, in 2023, as a plumber apprentice, he was earning nearly $90,000 gross. The figure, which has circulated in Spanish economic circles, raises two questions: is it the norm or the exception? And how much is that money really worth depending on where you live?
In Texas, according to testimonies from the thread, a construction laborer can earn $500 for an afternoon spreading wood chips. In California, on the other hand, $90,000 isn't enough to save: rent and taxes eat it all up. The contrast with Spain is brutal: a plumber with years of experience rarely exceeds €30,000 a year.
The story leaves an uncomfortable lesson: in the US, skilled trades can be lucrative, but it all depends on the state and the cost of living. It's not all gold that glitters, but it's not the mirage some paint it to be either.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (54 replies).
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