You might think that earning $200,000 a year sounds like a dream\u2014especially when you’re working as a tradie, one of the highest-paid trades in Australia. However, for those at the top of the trade game, it\u2019s not all smooth sailing. For many, the reality behind those big paychecks is long hours, constant stress, and the pressure of managing a business. While it\u2019s true that some tradespeople are raking in the big bucks, the path to earning that kind of money is often far from glamorous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Kristopher Bithel, a 15-year veteran electrician based in the Hunter Valley. Kristopher made the leap to becoming a sole trader after his previous employer went bust, leaving him with the option of either returning to a job he didn\u2019t like or starting his own business. \u201cThere\u2019s not a great deal of money in trades if you work for someone, but there is a fair bit of money in trades if you work for yourself,<\/em>\u201d Kristopher explains to Yahoo Finance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But despite the potential for higher earnings, the reality of working for yourself in the trades is far more complicated. For Kristopher and others like him, the money comes with a hefty price\u201460-hour work weeks and the constant juggling of administrative tasks. Yes, the income is higher, but it comes at the cost of valuable free time, rest, and the ability to disconnect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n