I dunno, I had a very lengthy reply typed out but I don't want to sit and complain about being underpaid.

There is a LOT of money in the industry, sadly the people who do a lot of the work make the least amount of money. That is how it is in every business. Even moreso with the "walmarization" of American business. Most of the guys who sit in the big leather chairs in the offices have paid their dues. Guess I either have to continue to pay mine until I get where I want to be or find something else to do.

Hopefully I can hold out that long, and there is still a slice of pie left when I am in a position to get my own big leather chair. If I ever do, I will try to have a company run on "responsible profit" and spread the success around to the people who work hard to allow me to sit in behind my shiny oak desk.......

I know I will never get rich working as a tech in this industry, but I look at my parents for an example of how I should be able to live. They were able to buy a nice house on a middle class paycheck, provided for two kids and give us a fairly comfortable lifestyle. They bought new cars every few years, were able to take us on vacation once a year. They are not rich, but are comfortable.

BTW, I have owned a business in another field before, I know being an owner isn't as easy as it looks, just making a point.........

That is all......

RR

This message was edited by Richie Rich on 02/24/05 00:50 ET.

It's no wonder StewPidasso is having are hard time finding help.
I had no idea that SoCal installers were paid at sub-poverty levels!

I'm sure the cost of doing business must be extremely high (rent, insurance, etc.) but, what the hell !!!

No wonder you have so many 'gangstas' destroying your world! If you can't make a respectable living doing respectable work, whats the point! I'd probably be 'slingin rock' on the side just to make ends meet!!! (No, I don't condone drug use!)

This is rediculous; get away from SoCal NOW!!!! I no the weather and lifestyle is nice, but "YOUR POOR!!! "

Leave the lower west coast to the Democrats and the movie stars and EARN WHAT YOUR WORTH !!!

Go somewere else, ANYWERE ELSE, and enjoy the good life!

Sorry for being so blunt but, this is just STUPID!!

No wonder Stew has a problem with training people and, after a couple of years, they go out on there own. (no offense,Stew; it sounds like a 'global' problem) It sounds like they're just trying to make enough to make ends meet.

Let those "rich boys" try to install there own stuff!

Okay, I'm done venting.

Sorry for ragging on,but, this doesn't sit well with me.

There is plenty of money to be made here in So Cal and I am not leaving. Even though we had a little rain, sure beats somewhere like Minnisota in February. No offence Jeff or any one else that has to work in those god awful artic conditions. Like anywhere else you just have to hustle and work hard and things will come together for you. You have to pay your dues, and here is probably a little harder than other places, but if you want it bad enough you will get it.

I do work for a couple people who peruse this site, and I bet niether one of them would consider me underpaid. I would definelty not concider myself over paid either, but I do okay. I have saved up enough to come up with 10% which could almost buy a house in some areas, but like I said this is the greatest place on earth to me. The L.A. area is one of the greatest places in the world to live and work, that is why housing is so expensive, everyone else wants to be here too. You just have to keep working hard a what you love to do and thing will fall into place for you, no matter where you live.

Just curious, but anyone know the most recent census data that shows housing cost relative to income in CA vs somewhere less expensive like Alabama? Sure a house in CA may cost $400K, but if the mean/median income is $80K that represents 20%, which would be a house that costs $100K for someone making $20K, the likely house cost and mean income in rural Alabama. It's all relative.

PS...Not picking on Alabama, but it usually ranks in the lower echelons in income.