A little background, I'm 25 and live in the seattle area. I decided I wanted to join an apprenticeship program. I was going back and forth between being a Commercial Carpenter or a Commercial Electrician (not residential house work, but big building commercial work). I don't know much about either, but I became a carpenter about 2 months ago, and I'm starting to think maybe I should go electrician instead, but I need some advice. Heres the reason I went carpenter. 1. The starting pay was much higher $19.50 vs $14.50 (I need at least about $16 /hr to get by on) 2. It seems like (but please correct me if I'm wrong), there is more to learn as a carpenter, since you are building entire structures, rather than simply installing the wiring. It seems like other than running wires, hooking up breakers/circuits, doing conduit, etc. Seems like it would get boring. 3. I think there is more "pride" being able to point out all the buildings you "built", rather than just wired continued -> however here are the reasons I'm thinking electrician might be better. 1. The journeyman pay is higher, about $39 vs $36. (although it would take a couple years of tough financial struggles to deal with the much lower starting wage, I'd do it though if I thought the payoff was greater) 2. I think it might be less strenuous. More using brain vs brawn. Is this true even for commercial electricians? Although I'm capable of strenuous work, I'd simply prefer not to, especially if I'm going to be getting into a 30 year career. I've already got some various aches, from hours of hammering and heavy hauling, I can only imagine how torn apart my body will be after years of carpentry. 3. my carpenters union does not give any sick/vacation/holiday pay, if you sick or its christmas, your getting a reduced paycheck. I'm hoping electricians get that. So hopefully you can understand more of what I'm looking for and let me know if electrician is worth the swith or not. If so can you give details?
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