Local topper Dealer accessories shop installer job

Happy Independence Day,
Drove by Local ARE, Leer dealer topper install and truck accessories dealer. Wondered what it would be like to work as a topper and accessories installer. Anyone ever work as an installer at one of these places? If so how did you enjoy the job?

 

i've discussed that possibility before with some local shops.

currently i'm an upfitter for a local previously-privately-owned shop that got bought out by a national conglomerate a couple years ago.

the simple answer is in the pay math.

when my current shop was privately owned, they were paying around $12-15/hr. now with the conglomerate backing and a healthy sales order backlog, most shop workers are around $27-30/hr. upfitting is literally just the next level up from truck accessories.

most non-semi truck accessory shops are in the rough range of $15-20/hr for the most part. it's why you'll end up seeing the same person that used to work at mcdonalds taking your order, now installing truck toppers.

due in part to the pay, and in part the work itself(it requires minimal tools, limited understanding, and each job doesn't take a ton of time), it's very rarely a long term job, and much more often a stepping stone for anyone that has any big financial aspirations like owning their own house, or has an interest in bettering themselves through experience or tool quantity.


in short, it's fun to work on new stuff, and it's fun to install things that make people happier with the vehicles they own, to be able to use what they have better.

but it's not fun to be working at dead near minimum wage, and not being able to afford staying alive like what's generally expected for a normal human being.