As anybody who has ever looked for a job fresh out of college or sought to change career fields can attest, it is exceedingly difficult to find an entry-level job that pays well enough to make the change worthwhile. In this day and age, employers still insist on paying their newest employees peanuts. Whats more, the job market has shifted far enough to their side that they can continue to do so and still expect a slew of applicants. A quick scan of the classified ads will reveal as much; the jobs that do offer a decent starting wage are the ones that carry requirements and experience that you simply cannot meet if youre just starting in that field.
Construction jobs, however, pay considerably better than the typical fare youre likely to find in the newspaper. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, heavy equipment operators earned up to $22 an hour in 2002, a number that has undoubtedly risen in the past few years. While entry-level operator jobs dont all pay quite that high, the median rate then was still a very respectable $17 and hour. What this means is that it is possible to make a good living for yourself and maintain a steady supply of work and income as a...