Just hit my first $50k year as a plumbing apprentice in Jersey, what now?

Been grinding as an apprentice plumber in Jersey for 3 years now, just wrapped up my first year pulling in $50k after taxes and side gigs like water heater swaps with SharkBite fittings. Proud as hell but feeling stuck, like is this the peak or should I push for journeyman status sooner? Guys in Plumbers United group say go union but that means starting over on pay.

SharkBites are a hack for apprentices but real plumbers laugh at 'em, stick to soldered joints if you wanna level up.

Jersey unions are screwing everyone over with their dues now, I know three guys who bailed after the last contract.

Congrats on the 50k, that's more than some journeymen make out here. Had a apprentice buddy celebrate with a Milwaukee tool binge, don't blow it all.

Me and the boys was in the same spot three years back, felt like we'd never get past apprentice pay.

Damn, $50k in Jersey? I was pulling 35k my first three and it sucked, especially with gas prices.

Get on YouTube, watch Roger Wakefield vids on advancing your certs, changed my whole trajectory.

Customer called me at midnight last week for a busted PEX line, made an extra 500 but FML I need sleep.

Same here man, hit that milestone and immediately the back pain kicked in harder.

Homeowners these days think we're miracle workers but won't pay for real work, it's infuriating.

Everyone's dealing with crap pay in this trade, unions promise the world but deliver squat.

Boss stiffed me on overtime last month after a 12-hour drain snake job, pissed me off big time.

I feel you on the grind, but network in those FB groups like The Contractor Fight, landed a better gig that way. Start tracking your hours with Jobber to negotiate a raise, aim for 10% bump next review.

That apprentice glow-up is real, but Jersey winters make every pipe job a frozen nightmare.

Insurance companies are the real villains, jacking rates on us plumbers while claims take forever to process.