A tradie with a little-known job revealed he makes up to $200,000 a year and that there is plenty of work available in the industry.
The man’s bumper wage was revealed when he was pulled aside on a Brisbane street last week by an interviewer from job-seeking app Getahead.
In the interview he said he works as a fire technician and makes between $120,000-$200,000 a year ‘depending how hard I work’.
‘I think my apprentice will make $80k this year,’ he said.
‘I do all the fire detection systems.’
The tradie explained he had to complete a four-year apprenticeship before landing the job but believes it was worth it.
‘We work everywhere. I’ve worked in the jails,’ he said.
‘You work in some cool, different spots.’
However, he admitted his gig isn’t all rosy.
When asked if things ‘can go wrong’ on the job, the tradie replied: ‘Massively’.
‘If something goes offline you can’t go home, that’s the only thing.
‘You can’t just drop your tools and leave at the end of the day.
‘That’s why you get paid the money.’
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Fire technicians are responsible for installing fire alarms and exit signage.
They also need to install and test extinguishers, hoses, reels, hydrants and fire blankets.
The tradie recommended the work for electricians looking for a change of pace.
‘There are heaps of jobs. If you’re a ‘sparky’ and want to get into it, call ’em,’ he said.
‘There are plenty of jobs going.’
Dozens of commenters were shocked to hear how much the man was making.
‘I’m a sparky doing FIFO, and I don’t get that much,’ one wrote.
‘Sounds about right, you guys have to remember he’s not doing 9-5. He’s travelling away doing 10-24 hour days. Night work plus on-call services,’ another said.
A fellow fire technician wrote: ‘Sprinkler fire installer $380 a head… 6,000 heads at the site we’re doing at the moment.’
Data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows there are 4,100 fire techs employed around Australia.
The median age for the job is 40 and only four per cent of the workforce is female.
‘Fire Protection Equipment Technicians install, test and maintain fire protection equipment and systems,’ Jobs and Skills Australia said.
Those looking to work as a fire technician need a Certificate III in fire protection inspection and testing from the Fire Industry Academy.
The course is delivered in the workplace and participants need a minimum of 12 months of experience in servicing of fire protection equipment or systems, or have experience in a plumbing, electrical or a fire-related job to graduate.