What is a good pay scale for a Locator.

[Chicagoman]

What do you think is a good pay rate (hourly rate) for a Locator with two year experence?

I say $15.00 per hr.

[gypsygirl]

Depends on their capabilities. Just because you have 2 years doesn't mean you are worth more money. Pay should be based on skill, damage ratio, willingness to work, team player... etc. Just putting your time in shouldn't be reason for pay standards.

[PowerSweep]

Depends on their capabilities. Just because you have 2 years doesn't mean you are worth more money. Pay should be based on skill, damage ratio, willingness to work, team player... etc. Just putting your time in shouldn't be reason for pay standards.


Well said.

Time on the job does not dictate ability.

[Chicagoman]

Depends on their capabilities. Just because you have 2 years doesn't mean you are worth more money. Pay should be based on skill, damage ratio, willingness to work, team player... etc. Just putting your time in shouldn't be reason for pay standards.



Good point. With all of what you have said. What do you think a good locator should get paid (per hour)

[Chicagoman]

Dont forget the cost of living.

[gypsygirl]

As I have stated before... I think that locators should have a licensing and/or certification requirement just like other skilled trades have. Apprenticeship programs start low and graduate to higher levels based on preset qualifications. This should be the same for locators. Given that... newbies also shouldn't be required or expected to take on extremely difficult locates ... this is something that they work up to. That type of work could however be done by a newbie if they were overseen by a "journeyman" locator to help them gain the experience.

I think a 4 or 5 year program should be required, followed by an exam and field testing in order to certify/license a locator.. thus making them ... for better lack of words... a journeyman locator. There would be a standardized minimum expected pay for this level of skill. One could then move up to lead tech... etc...

Pay scales must also take into account the cost of living in different regions... ie.. you can't expect to make the same wages in lets say.. CA or New York City as you would in smalltown.. USA.

As it stands now... there is no standardization in our industry... So... my question would be ... what is the company's pay scale? Base starting rate to maximum pay.... do you really think 2 years is going to get someone even close to maximum... they have barely gotten their feet wet. IMHO... don't expect to make "the money" until you have put in a minimum of 4 - 5 good, hard working years.

[frostypeters]

This is THE big question isn't it. Especially in the urban areas such as Chicagoland.

If the staring pay is $12-$13 in Chicago, for example, good luck finding an apartment, decent living has rent starting around $1000 a month & goes from there. Then you have to live, food, gas, elec, phone etc. Can't do it. So you have to look at what kind of applicants do you get. You get what you pay for. Sure you find a good one here & there but we all know you always hire 10 hoping 2 make it a year.

That problem isn't as prevelant in rural areas. $13 is different in Arkansas than in Chicago. So cost of living has to be factored in.

I believe "utility locator" should be recognized as a profession, certified, etc, etc. To answer the question at hand, for the urban areas like Chicago, I think starting pay should be in the $15-$16 range. You get what you pay for.

Unfortunately, they way contract locate company contracts are currently written, the companies cannot make a change like that & still be financially responsible. Therefore we would need by-in from the utilities to pay more in the contracts. We then in turn would have to promise to be more efficient, i.e less damages, better COTP, less customer complaints, etc, to offset the costs.

That is a pretty hard sell when your customer is always pissed because of, pick your problem of the day...

damages, staffing, cotp, safety, etc, etc.

We need to fix those problems before we ask for more money. We can't fix the problems because were understaffed, have too much turnover, too many newbies in the field, etc, etc...Pick your excuse of the day.

That's the vicious cycle we've been in over the last few years. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Those who know me know I'm just smart enough to get myself in trouble. Smarter men than me will have to figure out the big issues. Until then all we can do is handle the small stuff that's in front of us.

...or not. :toasted:

[Chicagoman]

I agree with both of you on these issue. But this will never happen unless the local goverment gets involved. I dont think that going to ever happen. Unless something big happens (like a really big damage happens) Or the Locator's stand up and demand this to happen by getting organized. Which from what I have seen and read on this forum will never happen.

[LadyLeatherneck]

Newbies: $15.00 to start :baby2:

Five years: $17.50 :)

10 years: $20.00 :good:

15 years: $25.00 :stop:

20 years: $30.00 :rotflol:

Of course, this is a basic scale for minimum standards. Base on what gypsy said from here up.

[Chicagoman]

Newbies: $15.00 to start :baby2:

Five years: $17.50 :)

10 years: $20.00 :good:

15 years: $25.00 :stop:

20 years: $30.00 :rotflol:

Of course, this is a basic scale for minimum standards. Base on what gypsy
said from here up.

Larry thanks for simple answer. Sometimes thats hard to get around here LOL. Do you know anyone who has worked 20 years. I dont think I could make it. LOL

[Chicagoman]

By the way what the is deal with Gypsy She has sent me some weird message. I think she has the wrong person.

[USIC1]

I hate to step on another post involving how a union could establish a reasonable process when it comes to wages...

So I wont...

I ll let Mr Peanut dictate it...

Lets see a typical phone tech makes what$?$?$?$

And has how much at stake twisting some pairs together???

A typical electrical service worker makes how much and gets what kind of benefits for working at a power company???
And yes there life is at stake but they get a pretty penny for what they have to lose...

How bout my stake in keeping up those 750s that feed a hospital or block of businesses???

And all those phone lines serving our saving grace lotto establishments???

Oh yeah 15$ an hr makes sense...WHY NOT!!! and the benefits WOW!!! to that to...

:bang:

[yahoo]

a good locater with 2 years...................8.00 hour.........what???

[salaminizer]

Been locating for 4 months in wisconsin. Starting wage: $11.50. Catching on fast, plenty of potential. Can anybody tell me, ballpark, when and what the first raise is looking like?

[palocator]

What do you think is a good pay rate (hourly rate) for a Locator with two year experence?

I say $15.00 per hr.
In PA, CLS is union. I've been locating for almost 13 years (starting with the former No Cuts). Some of us would like nothing more than get rid of the union. Top rate is only $17.51/ hr. Salary should be based on performance. I've had one damage in the past 4 years. I make the same as someone with 4 damages in the past year. I'm hoping that this "merger" with SM&P changes things. By the way USIC= U Say It's Clear

[Wingfoot]

In PA, CLS is union. I've been locating for almost 13 years (starting with the former No Cuts). Some of us would like nothing more than get rid of the union. Top rate is only $17.51/ hr. Salary should be based on performance. I've had one damage in the past 4 years. I make the same as someone with 4 damages in the past year. I'm hoping that this "merger" with SM&P changes things. By the way USIC= U Say It's Clear
Welcome Aboard palocator! It's good to have a “Keystone Stater” on theVine! Please, post often! I know you have a lot of stories to share and lots of knowledge to help those of us that do not have your experience.

The corporate company man views union 'Top Rate' as maximum pay rate per hour. The union man views 'Top Rate' pay as minimum pay rate per hour. Guess who always wins this battle? The one with the checkbook!

This business has it's peaks & valleys. No matter the hourly rate, it's big checks in the spring, summer and fall and meager checks in the winter. I save what I can during the feast and draw from my savings during the famine. :thumbsup2:

[Chicagoman]

Been locating for 4 months in wisconsin. Starting wage: $11.50. Catching on fast, plenty of potential. Can anybody tell me, ballpark, when and what the first raise is looking like?

If you work for SM&P dont count on any. We have new guys with two year in. and have never recieved any to this day. And we have people get them every year. It has nothing to do with the locator. It has all to do with if the Supervisor does his job by filing the right paperwork with his DM and the DM putting you in for a raise. I wish you luck I hope you have the right people leading your team.

[Chicagoman]

In PA, CLS is union. I've been locating for almost 13 years (starting with the former No Cuts). Some of us would like nothing more than get rid of the union. Top rate is only $17.51/ hr. Salary should be based on performance. I've had one damage in the past 4 years. I make the same as someone with 4 damages in the past year. I'm hoping that this "merger" with SM&P changes things. By the way USIC= U Say It's Clear


Try to Keep your union strong. Will all will need it with this New merger. IBEW working hard out there. in every state we are in. You do not want to not have a voice We dont have one here and it make it hard.

[palocator]

Pennsylvania is CWA. I have yet to see what they do for us. In my opinion, if you do your job well and don't try to screw the company, you do not need union representation. I'm sure the union proponents will have some clever responses to this. But honestly, what has the union done for us....collect dues?

[ifinditunderground]

Try to Keep your union strong. Will all will need it with this New merger. IBEW working hard out there. in every state we are in. You do not want to not have a voice We dont have one here and it make it hard.

I think you are right Gypsy, i can see the similarities now......just like I said in my PM, it will all come out in time...Chicagoman=LocatingArt=Union Recruiter=Ass. :blahblah::ecomcity:

[RoadMap]

Try to Keep your union strong. Will all will need it with this New merger. IBEW working hard out there. in every state we are in. You do not want to not have a voice We dont have one here and it make it hard.

I guess IBEW does not care if you actually have an IQ? English please. Or go back to High School and finish your GED! Unions suck! I make way more than 17.51 per hour. And I earned every penny of it. I do not want a union PERIOD. And quite frankly getting tired of the subject coming up!

[USIC1]

But thats you...

What about the other 99.9%???

And go ahead and keep everyone in the dark about why your effort is any greater than the next locators to rate this extraordinary compensation???

Just having everyone back down because of your 1% er status is pretty selfish...

[TechMaster]

These rates are all different. One thing is for sure none of us get paid what we deserve. Think about what the price of the stuff we are protecting cost.

[GasMan]

These rates are all different. One thing is for sure none of us get paid what we deserve. Think about what the price of the stuff we are protecting cost.

amen brother!

[sprayandpray]

I work in a group where I make $18 + per hour and am at least #6 on the pay scale. I know that 3 or 4 locators here make in the $22 per hour range. Verizon's locators top out around $16 and when SBC took theirs in-house a couple of years ago their top pay was $15 - both companies are CWA.

I'm not voicing an opinion, just stating the situation down here in Texas.

[AULupstate]

I just finished a contract where I was making $25 an hour, the most I have nade doing this work is $28.50. Now in order for me to make that hourly rate I have to leave my home and family for a couple of months at a time to do that. Any work locally around me doesn't pay jack, $12 to $15 an hour maybe. I personally think the majority of locators out there should start at $20 an hour w/ proven experience. As long as contract companies are around it will never happen UNION or NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

[AULupstate]

Sorry it was supposed to be 'made'

[USIC1]

Thus burger flipper pay will get burger flipper results including the oh well attitude...

:soapbox:

[LadyLeatherneck]

I think if you pay for "professionalism", you'll get professionalism. If you treat a grown man or woman like a child, you'll get childish behavior. I also agree that a locator with 10 or more years of experience should be around the $20 per hour mark. They have families to raise and in this ecomony, even $20 an hour is pushing it! If our companies want to be taken seriously in this industry, they need to be professional in their behavior. And again, that starts at the top. Locators can only do so much. And the ones I know are doing their best to walk that loose tightrope!

[AULupstate]

Locating multiple utilities for 10 to 12 bucks an hour is really an outrage for everything that one has to put up with in this field. 4 way 5 way and up but hey you better be right and you better complete 30 plus tickets a day everyday.
PRODUCTION LOCATING BREEDS INEPT LOCATING. 50/60 cycle for primary and secondary electric, phone. Looking at the prints and joint trenching the marks with out a direct connect. Anyone who has ever located is guilty of this, just some let it become habit and they continue to locate like this and roll the luck dice every day.
GREED for company NET PROFIT is why this industry is the way it is, that is why the Locator is replaceable, that is why the pay scale is where it is.

[Metroman]

Locating multiple utilities for 10 to 12 bucks an hour is really an outrage for everything that one has to put up with in this field. 4 way 5 way and up but hey you better be right and you better complete 30 plus tickets a day everyday.
PRODUCTION LOCATING BREEDS INEPT LOCATING. 50/60 cycle for primary and secondary electric, phone. Looking at the prints and joint trenching the marks with out a direct connect. Anyone who has ever located is guilty of this, just some let it become habit and they continue to locate like this and roll the luck dice every day.
GREED for company NET PROFIT is why this industry is the way it is, that is why the Locator is replaceable, that is why the pay scale is where it is.

Well i started out at 7.00 hr about 15 years ago locating 3 or 4 utilities.Im now at 17.00 hr(for one year now).Ive only had 5 total at fault damages and 2 were during my first 3 months or locating.Ive had to change locating companies to get this pay and I sometimes still get treated like a 1 year locator(probably because thats what my managers are).During this time i have never put paint on the ground without hooking up, PERIOD! 50/60 cycle is for safety sweep only.I would rather get yelled at for doing my job correctly then to do it poorly.If everyone stop doing all shortcuts it would turn the industry upside down.Would would have less damages,Less production,only quality locators would survive,contracts would be renegotiated.PAY WOULD INCREASE.....ok im done ranting sry.:yikes:

[yahoo]

it definetly sounds real good but...............that would not ever happen....

[RoadMap]

But thats you...

What about the other 99.9%???

And go ahead and keep everyone in the dark about why your effort is any greater than the next locators to rate this extraordinary compensation???

Just having everyone back down because of your 1% er status is pretty selfish...

When you have been here as long as me, the last thing you want to see is a guy or girl with 2 years in the company make as much as you. Think of all you have put up with, the mud, rain and snow you have walked through and then think how it would be with someone getting hired off the streets with no experience or work ethic get as much money as you when you worked here over 16 years. That is where I am coming from!

[Beer~NE1]

When you have been here as long as me, the last thing you want to see is a guy or girl with 2 years in the company make as much as you. Think of all you have put up with, the mud, rain and snow you have walked through and then think how it would be with someone getting hired off the streets with no experience or work ethic get as much money as you when you worked here over 16 years. That is where I am coming from!

Well I guess there is two ways to look at everything, not saying is right by no means but this happens all the time ,some people can sell themselves right and know what they are worth to the company and take advantage of that and others just sit back and wait for "the man" to give them a raise... And when you sit back and wait they think they can get over on you, squeaky wheel gets the grease as they say!

:soapbox: I guess Ill get off now....

[NINJA]

What do you think is a good pay rate (hourly rate) for a Locator with two year experence?

I say $15.00 per hr.
I know when I left I was making $22.75 an hour that was with UtiliQuest. I feel it depends on the extent of your experience. two years no supervisor experiance 13.00- 15.00 to start.
locator/field supervisor upto 2years 14-16.00 hr to start.
The cap for starting over no matter how long you have worked before should be no more then 22.00 an hr. then normal raises/ cost of living increases after that. sounds fair to me.........:cool2:

[USIC1]

I was looking into a FL move and they said be glad to have you because they are always desperate down there...

After a hint about the $ no dollars mentioned...

I was doing 17.50 I think and was willing to take 20$

But they claim because theres no state income tax thats the raise...

I let them think I was stll going but they were nt even worth a courtesy response...

Its a meat factory I already knew and figured on riding the BULL for as long as I could...

But wasnt about chump change and high risk...

[yahoo]

the crazy thing is all that sand locating in florida......i think i'll stay in la......

[gypsygirl]

What? No sand in LA? Oh.. that's right... you have swamps! :Titanic:
LOL...

[beyond help]

When you have been here as long as me, the last thing you want to see is a guy or girl with 2 years in the company make as much as you. Think of all you have put up with, the mud, rain and snow you have walked through and then think how it would be with someone getting hired off the streets with no experience or work ethic get as much money as you when you worked here over 16 years. That is where I am coming from!
I completely agree with this. What a line of crap to say "your production, and cotp weren't quite up to par." So you get skipped over time and time again. Yet the kissass with about 1/4 of time makes more and is a hell of a lot less responsible is making more. By the way he/she has a damage ratio of about 1/1,000. I definately feel the pain there. :censored:, :censored:, :censored:

[USIC1]

Well i started out at 7.00 hr about 15 years ago locating 3 or 4 utilities.Im now at 17.00 hr(for one year now).Ive only had 5 total at fault damages and 2 were during my first 3 months or locating.Ive had to change locating companies to get this pay and I sometimes still get treated like a 1 year locator(probably because thats what my managers are).During this time i have never put paint on the ground without hooking up, PERIOD! 50/60 cycle is for safety sweep only.I would rather get yelled at for doing my job correctly then to do it poorly.If everyone stop doing all shortcuts it would turn the industry upside down.Would would have less damages,Less production,only quality locators would survive,contracts would be renegotiated.PAY WOULD INCREASE.....ok im done ranting sry.:yikes:


Is that powersweep so you can claim 2 frequencys on your HP records or do you hook up at 2 different locations or pot hole EVERY HP as your by the book locating calls for???

Just curious...

I rarely run into by the book locators...Maybe the newbs for a couple weeks til the heats turned up on there productivity...Or a homeowner calls the office when they dig a giant hole in the front yard spotting an HP for a cable tv drop ticket...hee hee hee!!!

Maybe you just claim single hook ups and some power sweeping???

And PS every electric primary is HP so thats an awful lot of hookin or pot holin to meet the book standards and production quotas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGosYIlXdmU

:yikes: :yikes:

[beyond help]

Is that powersweep so you can claim 2 frequencys on your HP records or do you hook up at 2 different locations or pot hole EVERY HP as your by the book locating calls for???

Just curious...

I rarely run into by the book locators...Maybe the newbs for a couple weeks til the heats turned up on there productivity...Or a homeowner calls the office when they dig a giant hole in the front yard spotting an HP for a cable tv drop ticket...hee hee hee!!!

Maybe you just claim single hook ups and some power sweeping???

And PS every electric primary is HP so thats an awful lot of hookin or pot holin to meet the book standards and production quotas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGosYIlXdmU

:yikes: :yikes:

YES I DO!!! It is the only thing that has kept me employed this long. My damage ratio is excellent, Don't get hurt, Get things done on time, and just barely miss productivity. I'll take what I do over the 80 loc/8hr day and the 1/1,500 locator. I make, and save the company more money.:rules:

[USIC1]

YES I DO!!! It is the only thing that has kept me employed this long. My damage ratio is excellent, Don't get hurt, Get things done on time, and just barely miss productivity. I'll take what I do over the 80 loc/8hr day and the 1/1,500 locator. I make, and save the company more money.:rules:

And I bet you even do 50' extra feet instead of the standard 25' beyond the scope of the ticket....Yeah Yeah Yeah...

I ve got the same tenure and maybe a few more damages but significantly above in the production category...

If they dont pan out big figures on damages they really would like to see more dollars at the expense of your job...I ve seen it more than once...They love a high volume guy even at the expense of a few cuts....When they hang themselves its a pat on the back on the way out the door...

Its a balance act for a few dollars more OT or pay wise you gots to produce...

;)

[scap]

unfortunately I make 12 an hour. Been doing it 4 1/2 months.

not so bad though, it's worth the freedom.

[USIC1]

That computer screen dictates your freedom thats all...

No difference...

[yahoo]

hang in there scap more money to come if you stay long enough

[scap]

I will. I just know the work I do is worth 20.00 an hour, which is basically what a guy can get at other places (actually 19.50 but requires 1 and 1/2 years of experience with a good record at the job), to earn 15 an hour it's going to take probably a year here at UQ, I just wish they'd at least raise the pay, or give us benefits for no damages over periods of time, to increase the incentive to take more pride in our work rather than freak out about production.

Of course when you get a raise, you get evaluated...I'm up for evaluation in a month and a half, we'll see what happens. Just gonna bust ass, do the best I can do, and hope they give me at least a dollar.

[Metroman]

Is that powersweep so you can claim 2 frequencys on your HP records or do you hook up at 2 different locations or pot hole EVERY HP as your by the book locating calls for???

Just curious...

I rarely run into by the book locators...Maybe the newbs for a couple weeks til the heats turned up on there productivity...Or a homeowner calls the office when they dig a giant hole in the front yard spotting an HP for a cable tv drop ticket...hee hee hee!!!

Maybe you just claim single hook ups and some power sweeping???

And PS every electric primary is HP so thats an awful lot of hookin or pot holin to meet the book standards and production quotas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGosYIlXdmU

:yikes: :yikes:

Well i guess first off i have no HP records to keep nor do i ever have to pothole.The company i work for has use for neither.I am required to use 60 cycle as a safety sweep at the end of my locate.I abide by my company's rules cause thats what i get paid to do.I'm always amazed when a locator has pride in taking short cuts.Its not about how fast you are or how much more production you have when compared to us "by the book" locators.Its about safety for the people actually digging and has nothing to do with you or me.I just went to an emergency last week where the other locate company chose to hook up to only power and straight line the gas line because it was joint trench.The gas line was cut and was an at fault damage.I see this over and over,and for what,Production?God i hope when someone in my family needs to dig and calls, that they get a "by the book" locator.

[Metroman]

it definetly sounds real good but...............that would not ever happen....

Oh i know but hey one can dream:p

[sue me]

When you feel like your not appreciated move on.
I'm not proud of it but I've been fired from three companies because of not getting paid what I was worth.
Guess what?
Each time I went to work for another company making more money and with better equipment and cross-training.
From my point of view -what you were making last year is not enough this year because of inflation and no employer is going to keep up with that when their costs are rising.
Learn everything you can and when you stop learning, training, growing, go somewhere that you can learn more like S.U.E.
I say whatever you are making now, you should make two dollars an hour more next year and the year after that if you are growing and getting better.
Your employer is definitely making more off of you or you are working for the wrong employer.
There really is no maximum.