I'm interested in knowing the average hourly rate for a nonunion grading foreman in So Cal. I'm a foreman for a small grading company, which means I do everything; coordinate, check grade, operate, mechanic, paper work, paper work, coordinate..... They give me a nice truck and pretty much stay out of my way because I get it done. Problem is that I make the same rate as some of our operators, 30/hr (about my rate 25 years ago). I remember the days of just operating, clock in clock out. Now it's about 10 hrs of work for an eight-hour day. My options are to get a raise or ask to just run equipment. I'd like a better understanding of the industry standard for this area. Not interested in salary, when I'm off, I'm off (kinda, except for all the phone calls). I like the company that I work with and I've never had the luxury of sitting in my truck to do paperwork (homework).
I only made about half that much and not sure if I was a foreman or not but I used to go in with grade stakes and usually a dozer and roller/compactor and sometimes a grader and get the site ready for paving.Sometimes the paving company would do their own grading,depending on who it was.My foreman/owner would often get compliments on my work from the paving foreman.Sooooo,not sure what I was and I usually worked alone.Ron G
A couple friends of mine work for a company out of MN make about $125000 a yr but that is salary. The guy at my company make a $1 hr more than operator. They would have to pay me a lot more than that
Well, in the non union non prevailing wage world, you are close tot the average, as I know it. Same or slightly better than the top operators, plus a truck and fuel card, some insurance, and the foreman will always work. Some out here are doing better, and many not quite as good.
Thanks, Good to hear from someone in So Cal. It just makes me wonder if it's worth it. I mean if I could make the same thing JUST running equipment, why am I putting myself through the headaches of a foreman position? It's a lot more responsibility and I put in a lot of free time (kinda hard to charge for spending hours going through plans and doing homework). It's just a lot more work/time. I gotta really think this over going into the new year. Like I said, I like the company, they treat me great. Decisions....decisions......
If you wish to get into more detail, send me a PM and we can talk. Can't go into too many details on an open forum