Here it goes,

I figured it out one day. The shop I work at charges $80 and hour for labor. Pay is hourly plus a monthly bonus check based upon number of total monthly hrs. I turn.

Every month I crank out atleast 120 hours of billed labor.

$80 times 120 equals $9,600.
Minus wages of $1,660 monthly.
Equals $7,940 monthly to employer, or
$1985 weekly to employer.

I make my payroll and theirs too

But first subtract benefits, insurance, maintenance, utilities, consumables...

Don't want to forget, no benefits, health care, sick days, 3 major holidays off, buildings paid for, equipment paid for.

Only expenses utilities and insurance.

You only make 20k a year?

stars said:

Don't want to forget, no benefits, health care, sick days, 3 major holidays off, buildings paid for, equipment paid for.

Only expenses utilities and insurance.

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You don't think that part of that money goes towards paying the other employees? I'm sure someone is sitting out front answering phones and making appointments.

Lets also not forget that all of the parts you put in those cars come from somewhere, so even if all of the equipment is paid for, there is still an overhead associated with parts.

Not to mention the taxes associated with running a business, and the taxes associated with the land (even if the building is already paid for).

Do you guys provide any sort of entertainment to waiting customers? Coffee? TV? Magazines? That stuff costs money too.

It's just funny, everyone always thinks that they do all the heavy lifting while their boss sits on their ass getting rich off of them working hard, and alot of people have the attitude "this place would never survive without me", and it is very rarely either case.

Yea only only 3 of us at the shop. The owner a manager and myself. The manager gets paid the same amount I do. We all answer the phones and write work orders, help any customers. Any equipment needs repaired we take care of that. The parts we do get is Made in China and he sells them for 3 times the normal retail cost. I'm telling you he is making a decent size profit for having only 2 employees, and very low overhead. No parts in stock, we order things as we need too. Now, normally this is the slowest it has been in 3 years but, out of 43 years this is the worst business has been but we keep, the doors open, and he charges more for less business. That's the cheap way they do it down here, it's sad. This is the deep South and $20K a year is considered Middle class here..........

Wait... Wait... You only make $1660 a month working 40 hours a week?!?!? Look a cbsalary.com, notice you're getting paid $7k less a year than the average auto tech in Waycross, GA?

Automotive Technician (Auto Technician) Salary in Waycross, GA

I've lived in the south all my life and 20k, is not middle class.More than likely that is below average for your state and probably the county.

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gofer said:

Wait... Wait... You only make $1660 a month working 40 hours a week?!?!? Look a cbsalary.com, notice you're getting paid $7k less a year than the average auto tech in Waycross, GA?

Automotive Technician (Auto Technician) Salary in Waycross, GA

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40+40+40+40=160.

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DsMWookie said:

40+40+40+40=160.

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That's what 40 hours a week adds up to at the end of the month, you are correct.

20K a year?....jesus....that's less than minimum wage in ontario...

your boss might be making a bit more than off of you because he is ripping you off...

that's like less than 10$/hr...

Deep south MS reporting in. I would consider $20k poverty level. In fact, I need to bring home over $1,500 a month just to keep everything on or in my possesion. Thats not including gas and food.

I'm a military instructor so I really don't make money for my boss, so its hard to say exactly how much money I make or tax money I save depending on how you look at it.

Come out here to SoCal and see how far $1660 a month gets you.

gofer said:

I'm a military instructor so I really don't make money for my boss, so its hard to say exactly how much money I make or tax money I save depending on how you look at it.

Come out here to SoCal and see how far $1660 a month gets you.

---> this is where I live, built in the '50s and have a closet for a garage. Loma Palisades $1700/m​

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I was in the National Guard for awhile and worked a civilian job. I got taxed twice! Once in my civilian job to help pay for the military then again because I made money in the guard! So I guess you could say I paid my own salary in the guard by paying taxes on my civilian job.


A buddy of mine worked for a dealership as a mechanic and his shop would charge the customer whatever the job in the book said it should take. He's a good mechanic so he almost always finished up quicker than what the standard hourly job cost said. In turn they loved him and treated him right. Just hope for the trickle down effect to line your pockets.

$1,660 a month, wouldn't get you anything here in the Florida panhandle.

Is that 1660 net or gross?

Wow I'm in ky and make 70k a year, dont even want to think I the Millions I make my bosses. I work at a tape factory, in 1 week my machine ran 30 million dollars worth if pipeline tape, cost per roll to make is $1 and it sells for more than $159 per roll. That week paid all 600 employees payroll for the year and probably most of the big wigs in the office as well.

I work collections for an insurance adjusting company. I collect delinquent accounts and bring in $100k a month of unpaid bills. All I get is a measly $14 an hour for doing it... But I suppose most people feel undervalued at their jobs...

All i know is my bosses make thousands to millions a year. I work at a huge meat packing plant. And 1600 amonth here where im at makes you a decent living. From own experience it does make a living, gets bills paid and a little more depending on how you budget. But idk im ok with my 20/hr welding job.

Yea $1600 a month minus taxes, is the best pay for this area here in SE Georgia. Even if you have certifications which I do, no one will pay you more than $12.00 per hour. I could work in Flordia but, that is 120 miles daily commute & eats into your paycheck. I have learned to do without a few things like eating out and going to movies. I moved closer to work (2 minute drive), and come everyday for lunch (saves $5 a day). I'm not complaining about my paycheck; this industry has been this way since 1993 when I started. It just perturbs me that no one wants to pay for skilled labor. I can't believe on the West coast a worker at McDonalds makes more than I could ever make plus they got benefits. The job industry is way out of proportion in relation to the cost of living. Prices rise but wages stay the same, I wonder how long that can last?

That happens because not everyone can afford 85$ / hr to have a mechanic work on their car. Would you pay 300$ to have some minor work done? Doesn't take many hours for a repair to cost more than the car its self but everyone can afford their 3.99 dinner at McDonald's. Simple economics.