New to the trades? Start here
The path from helper to subcontractor in 7 trades: real pay, the day-one routine, which tools to buy at each stage and what they cost.
Before your first day
Look like the boss from day one
The boss position is not everyone's goal, and that is fine. But if it is yours, carry yourself like one even on day one. Show up early, in clean clothes and boots, with your own basic kit. Keep your work area clean and your tools organized. Be clean about your work and your person.
It is the safer approach for you, your team, your wallet and your company. A clean site has fewer trips, cuts and lost tools. And your perceived value, and your real value, goes up: the clean, organized worker is the one who gets more hours, the first raise, the lead role, and one day the customer's phone number.
The path
1 · Day 1 to 90: helper
Carry, clean, hand up tools, learn names. Show up early every day. Buy only the day-one kit.
2 · Months 3 to 12: you own tasks
You run small tasks alone. Buy your first battery platform and the stage 2 tools as the work calls for them.
3 · Years 1 to 4: skilled hand / apprentice
You read plans, lay out work and train the new guy. Union and state apprenticeships pay while you learn.
4 · Year 4+: journey level / lead
You run a crew or a job. Four years at journey level is what California requires to sit for a contractor license.
5 · Subcontractor or contractor
You bid the job instead of the hour. License, bond, insurance, paperwork, a truck that looks the part.
Stretch your dollar
Stretch your dollar: buy pro tools for starter-tool money
This is survival of the fittest. You have to feed your family and keep a roof over their heads, so do not buy junk you do not need. It is your responsibility to stretch your dollar, and that does not mean buying subpar tools because you think you cannot afford good ones. In many cases I bought my pro tools for less than a Ryobi starter equivalent.
- Buy 1, get up to 4 free: Home Depot regularly runs promos where a qualifying battery kit comes with free tools. Pick free tools you will actually use.
- Buy more, save more: tiered discounts on tools and accessories. Plan the order so every item is something your work needs.
- Keep what you need: before you buy a bundle, read the promo terms and the return policy. Returns on promotional bundles are usually prorated, so the discount comes back out if you return part of it.
- Real numbers from our receipts: M18 FUEL 9" cut-off saw for $409.56 (list $679); three M18 FUEL 7-1/4" miter saws at $100.26 each; M18 FUEL SURGE impact drivers at $39.96; M18 ROCKET tower lights at $150.30.
Promos change every week, and not every deal will come back. Our deals page tracks them.
Six weeks out
Can you afford six weeks off?
I stepped on a nail on a job and was out of the loop for about six weeks. If you are just starting out, you probably cannot afford six weeks without a paycheck. That is why site clean-up is not busywork: it is how you protect yourself, your crew and your income.
- A rolling magnetic sweeper is paramount. Run it over every work area, driveway and walkway before you leave.
- Wear safety-toe boots with a puncture-resistant (PR) sole.
- Bend over or pull every nail you see in a board; never leave it pointing up.
What they pay
| Trade | Entry (10th %) | Median | Top (90th %) | Data | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helper / laborer | $35,090 | $47,120 | $78,090 | National, BLS May 2025 | — |
| Carpenter | $47,310 | $73,200 | $117,580 | San Diego, BLS May 2025 | B / C-5 / C-6 |
| Plumber | $46,030 | $72,510 | $127,790 | San Diego, BLS May 2025 | C-36 |
| Electrician | $47,890 | $76,160 | $126,260 | San Diego, BLS May 2025 | C-10 |
| Tile setter | $37,140 | $55,690 | $86,110 | National, BLS May 2025 | C-54 |
| LVP flooring installer | — | $54,390 | — | National, flooring and tile group, BLS May 2025 (median only) | C-15 |
| Concrete worker | $47,170 | $66,530 | $102,760 | San Diego, BLS May 2025 | C-8 |
| Roofer | $37,460 | $55,440 | $81,720 | National, BLS May 2025 | C-39 |
Annual pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025). San Diego pays above the national average, so trades shown with national data likely pay more here. As a subcontractor, your income depends on your bids, not these figures.
Pick your trade
The pro site standard
Safety gear for every trade
| Item | Why | Est. cost* | Buy or compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1), 2 pairs | Every task, every day | $10–$25 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Hearing protection | Saws, grinders, demo | $10–$30 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Work gloves, cut-rated, multi-pack | Hands are your paycheck | $15–$35 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Safety-toe work boots (ASTM F2413), puncture-resistant (PR) sole | Dropped material and nails: look for "PR" on the label | $120–$250 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Hard hat | Required on most commercial sites | $20–$40 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| N95 masks, box | Dust, drywall, demo | $20–$35 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Knee pads | Every trade kneels more than you think | $25–$60 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| First-aid kit for the truck | Cuts and splinters happen | $25–$45 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
* Typical price ranges at Home Depot, Lowe's and Amazon in October 2026; these are estimates, not quotes. The buttons show today's price. Buy the day-one kit first; buy the rest as the work and your wallet call for it.
Look like a pro
| Item | Why | Est. cost* | Buy or compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work shirts with your name or company logo, 5 | A clean shirt every day; custom crew shirts from Chameleon Grafix | $60–$150 | Chameleon GrafixAmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Patch hat or cap | Shade and a pro look | $15–$35 | Chameleon GrafixAmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Work pants, 3 pairs | Knee and tool pockets, no holes | $90–$160 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Hi-vis vest | Streets, driveways, commercial sites | $10–$25 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| 1-gallon water jug | Heat is real in San Diego | $15–$40 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Tool bag or backpack | Keeps your kit together and off the floor | $30–$80 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Notebook, pencils, Sharpies | Write down measurements and what you learn | $10–$20 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
* Typical price ranges at Home Depot, Lowe's and Amazon in October 2026; these are estimates, not quotes. The buttons show today's price. Buy the day-one kit first; buy the rest as the work and your wallet call for it.
Clean-up
| Item | Why | Est. cost* | Buy or compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling magnetic sweeper | Paramount: picks up every nail and screw before someone steps on it or drives over it | $30–$70 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Contractor trash bags | Leave every room cleaner than you found it | $20–$35 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Push broom and dustpan | Sweep before the boss asks | $25–$50 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Shop towels and drop cloth | Protect floors and counters | $20–$40 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Cordless shop vac (stage 2) | The fastest way to look like a pro at the end of the day | $120–$250 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
* Typical price ranges at Home Depot, Lowe's and Amazon in October 2026; these are estimates, not quotes. The buttons show today's price. Buy the day-one kit first; buy the rest as the work and your wallet call for it.
Final stage: subcontractor
Becoming a subcontractor in California
- You need a CSLB license for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined, or any job that needs a permit.
- Experience: 4 years at journey level, foreman or contractor in the classification. A completed apprenticeship certificate can count for up to 3 of those years.
- Costs: $450 application, $200 initial license (sole owner) and a $25,000 contractor bond.
- Workers' comp: required with any employee, and for every licensee from January 1, 2028. Concrete (C-8) and roofing (C-39) already cannot claim an exemption.
- Electricians: besides the C-10 license, each worker needs state certification (8,000 hours for a general electrician).
| Item | Why | Est. cost* | Buy or compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSLB license: application + initial fee | $450 application, $200 initial license (sole owner) | $650 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| $25,000 contractor bond | Required for every California license; you pay a yearly premium | premium varies | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| General liability insurance | Most GCs and property managers require a certificate | varies by trade | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Workers' comp | Required with any employee; required for all licensees from Jan 1, 2028 | varies | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Business phone line and email | Answer like a business, not a buddy | $0–$30/mo | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Invoicing and bookkeeping app | Estimates, invoices, receipts, taxes | $15–$60/mo | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Truck lettering, business cards, logo uniforms | People hire who they remember; Chameleon Grafix does all three | $150–$1,500 | Chameleon GrafixAmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Clipboard, receipt book, label maker | Paperwork on site, labeled tools | $40–$90 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
* Typical price ranges at Home Depot, Lowe's and Amazon in October 2026; these are estimates, not quotes. The buttons show today's price. Buy the day-one kit first; buy the rest as the work and your wallet call for it.