Starting Wage for a New CWI?

Date 11-08-2007 18:19

Here's my situation:

Welder for 21 years in a wide range of industry.
AS Degree in Business Management.
Union Apprentice Program Graduate.
Brand new CWI who has yet to work as an inspector.
Passed CWI exam on the first try (which I'm proud of).

I make around $65,000 a year but only work 8 or 9 months a year. Still love the trade but the body and eyes are not what they used to be.
Can I get anywhere near this figure as an entry level CWI? It's tough to break into the CWI field in a construction union due to
nepotism. Plus the fact that the contractors don't really care if you are a CWI or not as long as they feel you are a "qualified person". The union hall usually sends out the family members to fill these positions. Any suggestions on how to start the job search and what to expect, what to avoid, etc ? All comments appreciated.

My location is the Northeast in the Great Lakes area.

By graveyhog (*)

Date 11-08-2007 20:52

Where did you take your cwi exam at.What part of the country and who did you go through AWS,Real Education,etc.

By awspartb (***)

Date 11-08-2007 20:57

Pittsburgh CWI Seminar and Exam in August of '07. I bought all the study guides and studied for 6 months prior to exam.
AWS gave the seminar and exam.

By graveyhog (*)

Date 11-09-2007 01:44

Did you have AKA (bubba) for the seminar,If you did what is your opinion of the seminar.Did you fell unsure when you left there or left with no doubts you passed. What is your thougths of part B of the exam.

By awspartb (***)

Date 11-09-2007 09:18

I don't want this to be a Bubba topic but no, I was not sure I passed the exam when I left. I did much better than I thought I did despite the instructor. The part B exam was difficult and I've posted my opinion numerous times on the topic Pittsburgh CWI Seminar listed on this forum. My exam score was pretty high overall.

Does anyone have any info or suggestions on how to break into the CWI world? Pay scales? What to expect as an entry level CWI?
Anyone?

By graveyhog (*)

Date 11-09-2007 20:05

Go to this web site and I believe you will find plenty of work to choose from. I think everyone out there would agree.Good Luck. http://www.roadtechs.com Your not at no entry level.My opinion your at top level with the CWI crediential.

By Forrest Keeler Date 11-16-2007 06:14

It is hard to break into the field but i have been doing it for 8 years as a Union Boilermaker. just keep going after the contractors and onlt take union jobs with union wages. It will come to you.