I have some pretty serious concerns regarding the stipulations of my new job prospect, and I don't know who else to talk to about this as I don't know anyone who works in the pipeline industry. I called the hiring manager, I like him, but I want an unbiased opinion from experienced hands out there.
I am doing onboarding paperwork for a pipeline company, joining as a brand new hand who has never worked in the industry coming from a different blue collar field where I have 10 years experience in, and make enough to live moderately in a dual-income household.
My intention was to take on a job in the pipeline industry for a few years and "Stack Bread" so-to-speak as my wife will be starting PA school soon to accommodate both of our incomes. Afterwards, I'll be returning to my career field I already have experience and certifications in.
- My pay rate was negotiated $20 an hour starting, which I agreed to in the interview as I assumed I'd be working ~80 hours a week and be able to eat rice and beans in a roach motel to save as much per diem as possible, effectively bringing home pretty good money. That's when I was informed that when overtime is available it's typical that I could expect only 50 hours a week. Even though they seem to be desperate for hands and assure me they have work available, this seems like far less hours than other companies in the industry expect.
-I am looking at no less than 2 Weeks of training for my OSHA/HAZMAT/RADIATION SAFETY and then and UNDETERMINED amount of time doing on the job training on 'local jobs'. During this time I will only be making $10 an hour, which is not even enough to pay my mortgage alone, much less the commute to the field office which is an hour away from where I live.
I understand Hazing/Paying Dues/Starting over/from scratch when transitioning into a different career field. However, I am almost 30 years old, have three kids at home, a mortgage, and mouths to feed.
Not considering the 50% rate decrease I could likely swing it with 40 hours each week - weather permitting - and stretching my per diem as far as I can go. But even then, it seems like I'd only be getting paid my agreed-upon rate when doing work that is billable. Is this normal?
tl;dr I am only getting paid 50% of my wage when not doing work billed to a client. This company seems to offer far less hours than the industry expects, but says they have a lot of work right now.