$$$ WAGES For Espresso Techs $$$

corp

"WITHOUT ESPRESSO TECHS.THIS COUNTRY STOPS"A big HELLO to all other,, Espresso Techs, Employers etc...
I am trying to get some idea of the going rate for an experienced Espresso tech. Assuming they have experience of at least a few years on Commercial machines.
Some tech will be either. A or B class Electricians, Restricted Electricians or Electronics Technicians, Maybe even just trained in this field with no formal qualifications... As i am to believe most of the commercial machines are plug in and not hard wired..
From asking around i can assume any tech employed by a Coffee company will recieve.
1. A Van and tools to suit the job.
2, A Phone.
3. A Uniform including, Boots.
4. Base sallary of around $55k
I presume some remuneration for Overtime. ie, after hour call outs Weekends and public holidays.. This will ussualy include an Allowance for being on call over weekends??
Please help me to get some idea about what is being paid out there.


Cheers WIDEYES..

flatwhite

Hey Wide, Spent a little time working on the machines some years ago, but short of any more accurate advise coming through I can relate working on commercial kitchen equipment, and hell, I may as well raise awareness of why getting equipment repaired can be such a costly exercise. 1. A Van and tools to suit the job. Vehicle and specialised tools yes, general hand tools you are generally expected to provide yourself. 2, A Phone. Always 3. A Uniform including, Boots. Some companies expect you to provide your own boots. 4. Base salary of around $55k Tough one, region plays a big part here and thats mainly due to the current resource boom.  In Brisbane you could expect around $48-$55 maybe up to $60 [$30/hr] depending on what other benefits the company has, and thats what you need to look at is the complete package.  In the southern states you may find it difficult to get figures that high simply because there is not such a demand on trades as there is in QLD and WA at the moment.  Another example is food techs on $38 per hour in North QLD, thats $75k not including o/time / super / vehicle / phone etc. I presume some remuneration for Overtime. ie, after hour call outs Weekends and public holidays.. This will ussualy include an Allowance for being on call over weekends?? Once again depends on the employer, most large companies are now paying double time for all overtime, others may pay a flat rate.  On call allowances range from $0 to $300 per week.   Now, onto costs of getting equipment repaired.  When, in order to provide an acceptable level of service to customers a company must pay their technicians between $25-$30 per hour [excluding the higher cost areas] plus allowing for the fact that you can never recover 100% of the available time.  Once you allow for leave, sickness, training, safety meetings, training and so forth that leaves probably 70% ie 27 hours out of a 38 hours week to recover the costs of operating the business.  Already that puts an hourly rate at $35-$42 per hour.  On top of this [here comes the list] the following costs must be incorporated

• Vehicle including registration, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
• Mobile phone and usually around $100-$200 worth of calls per month.
• Ongoing replacement of tools of trade.
• 6 monthly testing and calibration of electrical test equipment.
• Maintaining a stock of spare parts [$10k-$30k per vehicle] including writing off expenses.
• Advertising, stationery, signage, postage, shipping.
• Lease and operating expenses for an office / workshop including insurance, light and power, repairs and maintenance etc.
• Maintaining office staff to perform reception duties, co-ordinate staff, handle spare parts and warehousing, manage staff including reviewing invoices and handling customer complaints, accounts payable and receivable roles including chasing payments, and if big enough then staff to provide technical and spare parts support to customers.

Then at the end of it the boss expects to make a profit.  Realistically looking at these costs I cant understand how anyone can afford to operate a service business in this industry for less than $80 per hour as a chargeout rate.  Then of course there is a service fee which depends on the area the company covers. Certainly there are people out there charging around $50 per hour, but all of the operational background stuff is being done into the wee hours or being done by a spouse......are they better off than someone who is just employed?? probably not given the additional hours that would be required, so why do it?? usually because thats all they know. OK, questions?  :-?

corp

Thanks for such an extensive report... I Guess i am moving to North Queensland for sun, fishing and a well paid jod as a Food Tech.. keep up the good work.. ;D

flatwhite

I love it when people complain about a charge out rate and say 'can I come and work for you' then I answer, 'sure, if you have an electrical licence you can start tomorrow!' People don't expect that. On that note if anyone out there is an electrician or fitter and turner with restricted electrical licence, get in touch.  If you have the right attitude/drive I can start you on $53K almost immediately.