# decided to get an education(sorta)

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-get-an-education-sorta/35242>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [September 12, 2007, 9:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-get-an-education-sorta/35242 "2007-09-12T09:09:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2007, 10:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-get-an-education-sorta/35242/8 "2007-09-12T10:53:29Z")

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The only way your going to get decent pay as a equipment operator in this area is if you become a member of the local international union of operating engineers. Pay would be based upon the work you are performing, and experience. Local 17 has their own apprentice program which I can bet is not easy to get into unless you know someone. Operators on our jobsite make which is 31.72/hr which is a class A rate with a hazardous work premium. As a apprentice you would probably make much less, say 20/hr. If you were a nonunion apprentice I would say you would make maybe 10/hr.

I would try to get some information from Local 17 if you looking to come back to this area and work.

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