Trade work- what would you do in Southern WA? (Vancouver: houses, buy)

[occdn]

We have family in WA and BC, so we’re relocating next school year.

I’m a registered Nurse right now but I am burned out, so I want to get into a trade. My brother in law is a diesel mechanic, but he said they top out at $50/hr in the area. I don’t mind getting dirty, literally and physically. As an ER nurse I’ve seen and done it all so nothing scares me.

I’ll cross the state line or go up north. I’ll buy my own tools or equipment if needed.

HVAC in California is a no brainer. What’s the equivalent in WA?

[Pomelo]

I would check job listings for highest minimum pay. Washington job listings are required to show the pay range.

[texasdiver]

I'm not super close to the trades. But were I to be starting over as you are, I'd become an electrician.

The coming electrification of our transportation infrastructure is going to open up enormous opportunities installing all that necessary charging infrastructure. And the rollout of clean energy is going to require vast changes to our power grid.

Those are jobs that can't be outsourced to Bangalore India or to AI.

And that is on top of all the normal residential and commercial construction work that is happening across this region as it continues to grow.

[StealthRabbit]

Yes, Electrician is probably the best LT career job (especially in this climate).

(4) of our homeschool group did electrician, or lineman apprenticeships, as did (2) of my tenants.

one friend (Portland union based) did gigs rewiring USA embassies and military installations, so he traveled all over the world, and took his family with him.

BPA usually has a lot of technical positions (I know of technical / skilled work there that pays well over $100k due to unlimited overtime (sometimes 3x pay)
https://www.bpa.gov/about/careers/ex...-career-at-bpa

or Army Corp

OR Forest Service

A couple friends work for the Federal Highway office in Vancouver, they manage roads and bridges in National Parks. That's a nice gig.
https://www.usajobs.gov/

Try to avoid the seasonal stuff (unless you like a lot of time off) Paving, roofing, underground utlities.
Of course HVAC and alternative energy is a good field and in demand.

https://www.solarwa.org/
https://www.indeed.com/q-wind-techni...a1fda4c4eda963
https://www.simplyhired.com/search?q...shington+state
https://w3.expoeolica.net/renewableenergycareers
https://www.nw-rei.com/
https://worksourceswwa.com/

For Quality of Life... I would head East rather than north or south if you need to look broader.
https://crgta.org/our-businesses/job-postings
https://careers.pnnl.gov/


HURRY, this posting ends today (would be a great job for a college kid!, Educational reimbursement and a fun job)
Foreign Travel Coordinator
https://careers.pnnl.gov/jobs/7603?lang=en-us

[Mixmaster2nicet]

Hey, you thinking about a trade ? Try getting into the elevator trade. There is the local #23 IUEC in Portland. Some of the best training and fringe benefits known to man.

[Diana Holbrook]

Electricians and plumbers are always in demand... Plumbers also have to be able to dig and go under houses.... so that may make a big difference!