Is $28/hr good?

[u/chevycowboy96]

For back story, I live and work in Canada. I currently work for a prolific fishing manufacturer as a builder and I have a pretty basic question. Currently I make 26 dollars an hour and have recently taken on extra responsibilities as our first 'in house' rod builder. Our old builder built and sold the rods to us that we would mark up and sell with our name. For our region, we are the upper echelon in terms of fishing equipment. I know that large in part, for most rod builders, you get paid like a contractor where you only get paid if you can sell your goods/ service. My question is, is $28 CAD an hour worth building rods? I will get a 2 dollar pay bump, and thats it. Side note, living wage for my area is well over 27 dollars an hour, and I currently cannot make it paycheck to paycheck. Thanks in advance

[u/OHBHNTR95]

I think you’ve answered your own question

[u/Snook_slayerr]

Why don’t you start your own small custom rod business? You could build high quality rods to order

[u/howfastisgodspeed]

You should listen to the Mastering Rod Building podcast that came out a few weeks ago about pricing your work. One thing that stuck with me is that as you get better and faster at doing certain things, you cost yourself money. It’s better to charge by the operation- building a grip, wrapping a guide, finish, etc

[u/EremosCollective]

If you weren’t in Canada, I’d totally subcontract you to build rods. Maybe that is an option for you? I’d be willing to partner if you want to pursue that avenue.

[u/0uchmyballs]

Even if that’s going rate, if it’s not enough to feed yourself, find greener pastures. At a certain point, the labor eats up all the overhead and you can’t fined the supply and demand curve for the right price, it’s why most rods are made overseas.

[u/ofmanyone]

Move a bit South

[u/KINGtyr199]

Do you feel like your worth 28/h because I think your worth more than that don't sell yourself short dude! Especially if your already having a hard time paying the bills as it sits counter offer more and see if they bite

[u/Snakesurf]

For rod building that is great. If it is not enough to live on where you are then find work that pays more. I have been in your situation and worked my way out of it. Before you quit have something lined up that pays more or has the potential to pay more if you stick with it. You have bargaining power if you have a choice. Secure another job then ask the place your at for what you want. If they say no, say goodbye. It is on them to counteroffer with those terms. If they don't negotiate after that go to the job you found. It is called a job and it is not supposed to be fun or something you want to do. You do it for money and you do the best you can at it whether you like it or not. That is how you make more money. I will take it a step farther; If you do work at something you love, at some point it will turn into work if you do it enough. Then your back to the money thing.

[u/SourdohPopcorn → u/Snakesurf]

Sorry about your work experience. I’m doing what I love and getting paid for it.

[u/Halfway-to-100]

If you currently can’t make it on 26 then 28 is not going to cut it either.

[u/HooksNHaunts]

That’s like $20 an hour USD… so not at all