Carpenter Salary: How to Become a Carpenter

Name: Justin Katz
Job Title: Carpenter
Where: Newport, RI
Employer: David E. Michael, Distinctive Homes
Years of Experience: 3
Education: BA in English, University of Rhode Island
Salary: See the PayScale Research Center for the median carpenter salary.

Carpenter Salary: How to Become a Carpenter

Carpentry is one of those archaic professions that seems to be outsource-proof and recession-proof. Becoming a carpenter can require an investment not only in tools, but also in developing woodworking, mathematical, and organizational skills. In this Salary Story, we spoke to career carpenter Justin Katz who explained the factors that can affect a carpenter salary, different aspects of carpenter jobs, and helpful information on how to become a carpenter.

For readers interested in how to apply for carpenter jobs, the training qualifications of a carpenter, growth potential for carpenter jobs, and how to earn a higher carpenter salary, this interview provides a sturdy foundation. Keep reading to find out how to become a carpenter and why carpentry can be rewarding work.

Career as a Heavy Equipment Operator

Name: Shawn Robison
Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator
Where: Louisville, KY
Employer: Flynn Brothers Contracting
Years of Experience: 18
Education: High School Diploma
Salary of Heavy Equipment Operator: See the PayScale Research Center for the median Pay Scale for Heavy Equipment Operators.

Career as a Heavy Equipment Operator

For readers who like to work outdoors, it might be worthwhile to look into a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator. In this Salary Story, we spoke to Heavy Equipment Operator Shawn Robison. He told us about the factors that affect the pay scale for Heavy Equipment Operators and Heavy Equipment Operator job opportunities. If you've been wondering about attending Heavy Equipment Operator schools verses learning on the job, don't miss this interview with a seasoned professional. Shawn shared great info with us on working conditions, what to expect on a job site, and what skills may improve the salary of Heavy Equipment Operator professionals.

If you want to know what it's like to have a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator, how to find those Heavy Equipment Operator jobs, and the standard salary of a Heavy Equipment Operator, this interview is groundbreaking!

Forestry Careers: Manager Salary

Name: Shane Gaither
Job Title: Area Manager, Forestry for a wood pulp mill, Woodchip Quality Consultant
Where: Jessup, GA
Years of Experience: 2 years as Area Manager, 10 years in the forestry industry
Salary: $70K + (For consulting my pay rate is $1350 per day)
Employer: Rayonier Performance Fibers
Education: MS Forestry Degree, University of Tennessee (and of course, the education that only raising two sons can provide)

Forestry Careers: Manager Salary

Forestry careers offer managers the opportunity to work outside the traditional office setting. Shane Gaither, who works in the forestry industry as an Area Manager for a wood pulp mill, knew he didn't want to sit in a cubicle all day. While in college, Shane became interested in forestry careers and is now in charge of a crew of workers and woodchip screening equipment. He recently took a break from the woods to speak with us about forestry careers, the advantages of forestry industry jobs, forestry degrees and working as a manager in the forestry industry.

Truck Driver Salaries: Owner Operator Trucking Jobs

"You know the difference between a fairy tale and a trucker tale? A fairy tale starts with: 'once upon a time...' and a trucker tale starts with: 'You're never going to believe this sh*t'...". - Don Floyd

Name: Don Floyd
Job Title: Long Distance Truck Driver/ Owner Operator Trucking
Where: Don's owner operator trucking job is based in Enid, OK
Truck Driver Salary: $66,000 = $0.60 per mile x 110,000 miles. See truckers cost per mile calculation below. (Owner operator trucking jobs typically pay more than just being a truck driver.)
Years of Experience: 31 years of truck driving experience, 10 years in owner operator trucking jobs

Truck Driver Salaries: Owner Operator Trucking Jobs

Job Description of a Truck Driver: To drive a truck with capacity of more than three tons to transport materials to specified destinations. In owner operator trucking jobs, the driver is also responsible for finding and scheduling loads.

We all wonder what it would be like. We've bought the little pieces of the puzzle, but we've never put it all together. What is it like to be a long distance truck driver? And what are the benefits and drawbacks of owner operator trucking jobs? I own a Pabst Blue Ribbon trucker hat. I own a 64 ounce thermos that is waiting to be filled with truck stop "high octane" coffee. I've driven 600 miles in a single day. But, there is still so much to learn about long distance truck drivers.

Salary Stories recently interviewed truck driver Don Floyd about his many years on the road. Don explained the job description of a truck driver, the differences between owner operator trucking jobs and other truck driver jobs, truck driver salaries, and just how much coffee it takes to keep a driver going. If you've ever dreamed of a life on the open road, keep reading!