u/AddendumNeither2988

I’m 26 years old and trying to make what feels like one of the biggest career decisions of my life. My goal isn’t just to make more money today—it’s to build the strongest long-term career possible, eventually own a business, invest in real estate, and become financially independent.
Here’s my situation:

Current Job (BAS/Controls Installation)
Building Automation Systems installation (mostly Siemens work through a contractor)

Currently making about $27/hour with opportunities to work prevailing wage jobs that pay much higher when available.

Monday-Friday schedule with weekends off.
About a 1.5-hour commute each way (roughly 3 hours a day).

Company truck and gas card.

Lots of freedom and independence during the day.

Learning controls installation, wiring, conduit, devices, and HVAC systems.

Recently offered the opportunity to start running my own VAV jobs, which should come with another raise.

Downsides are the long commute and limited benefits.

New Offer (NewCold)

$33.95/hour starting pay.

Brand new automated cold storage warehouse.
Maintenance Technician role working on conveyors, PLC-controlled equipment, automation, robotics, and electrical/mechanical systems.

Better benefits, PTO, and overall compensation package.

About a 30-minute commute.

Set Schedule 5am-130pm off Thursday and Friday

Working in a freezer environment around -10°F (with cold-weather gear).

Some uncertainty because the site is still being built, and training/start-up timelines have changed a few times.

Long-Term Goals

Become highly skilled in automation, PLCs, controls, and electrical troubleshooting.
Possibly own an automation or industrial service business one day.

Continue learning every year instead of getting stuck.

Make the highest income possible over the next 20-30 years, not just the next year.

My biggest concerns are:
Is leaving BAS installation a mistake?
Does industrial maintenance open more doors than controls installation?

Is maintenance viewed as a step backward, or is it actually a better long-term career path?

Which experience would make someone more valuable 10-20 years from now?

If you had to choose one path at 26 years old, which would you take and why?

I’d especially love to hear from people who have worked in:
Building automation/controls
Industrial maintenance
PLC programming
Electrical trades
Automation engineering
Distribution centers or automated warehouses
Thanks in advance. I’m trying to make the smartest long-term decision rather than just chasing the biggest paycheck.

I’m at a crossroads in my career and would really appreciate some outside perspective.
I’m currently working in Building Automation Systems (BAS) installation for HVAC controls. The job gives me a lot of freedom, I’m trusted to work independently, I have a company truck and gas card, and I’m learning a valuable trade. The downside is that I have a 1.5-hour commute each way, limited benefits (only a 3% 401(k) match), and most of my work is installation rather than troubleshooting or programming.
I’ve been offered a position as an Automation Technician with NewCold. The pay is higher at $33.95/hour, the commute would only be about 30 minutes, and it includes full benefits. The schedule would be 5:00 AM–1:30 PM, with 1–2 weeks of training out of state before working at a brand-new automated cold storage facility. The environment would be around -10°F, and I’d likely rotate weekends instead of having every weekend off. Since it’s a startup facility, there will also be an installation and commissioning phase before transitioning into maintenance and troubleshooting.
My long-term goal is to become highly skilled in industrial automation, PLCs, robotics, and controls. I want to maximize my earning potential over the next 10–20 years while building a career that’s challenging, stable, and gives me opportunities to grow.
If you were in my position, would you leave the BAS installation job for NewCold? Which path do you think offers the better long-term career, and what risks or opportunities do you see that I might be overlooking?

I’m 26 and trying to make the smartest long-term career decision.
Right now I work in Building Automation Systems installation as a subcontractor doing Siemens controls. I’ve been in the field about a year and recently started getting more responsibility, including running my own VAV jobs.
My current job has a lot of freedom. I’m not stuck in one building every day, I get to move around job sites, work somewhat independently, and I have a company truck and gas card, which is a big benefit. I also have every weekend off, which is important to me.
The downside is I make around $27/hour, my commute is about 1.5 hours each way, and I currently don’t have real benefits besides a 401(k) with a 3% match.
I recently received an offer from NewCold as an Automation Technician.
Current BAS Job
$27/hour, with occasional prevailing wage work
Company truck and gas card
More freedom and variety day-to-day
Every weekend off
Learning Siemens/BAS controls and getting more responsibility
1.5-hour commute each way
No benefits besides 401(k) with 3% match
NewCold Offer
$34–35/hour
Benefits, 4 weeks PTO, and 401(k)
30-minute commute each way
Automation technician role in a highly automated warehouse
Potential exposure to PLCs, conveyors, robotics, troubleshooting, and industrial automation
Rotating weekends
Work in -10°F freezer environments, even with cold-weather gear
My concern is that I’d be giving up freedom, a company truck/gas card, weekends off, and my current BAS career path for better pay, benefits, a shorter commute, and a more industrial automation-focused role.
If you were in my position, what would you do?
Would you stay in BAS and continue building experience, or take the NewCold opportunity? I’d especially like to hear from people in BAS, industrial automation, maintenance, or automated warehouses. Which path seems better for long-term career growth, job stability, work-life balance, health, and earning potential over the next 10–20 years?

I’m 26 and trying to make the smartest long-term career decision.
Right now I work in Building Automation Systems (BAS) installation as a subcontractor doing Siemens controls. I’ve been in the field about a year and recently started getting the opportunity to run my own VAV jobs, so I’m continuing to learn and gain responsibility.
Here are my current pros and cons:
Current Job
$27/hour (plus occasional prevailing wage jobs)
Monday–Friday with every weekend off
Great learning opportunity in BAS
About a 1.5-hour commute each way, so I’m spending roughly 3 hours a day driving
Long days because of the commute
NewCold Offer
$34–35/hour
4 weeks PTO, benefits, 401(k)
About a 30-minute commute each way
Automation technician maintaining highly automated warehouse systems
Much less driving and more time at home
Rotating weekends instead of always having weekends off
Some work is in -10°F freezer environments (with cold-weather gear)
My biggest concern isn’t the money—it’s my long-term career. BAS seems like a specialized field with good growth potential, but NewCold would give me experience with industrial automation, PLCs, conveyors, robotics, and maintenance while also dramatically improving my commute and pay.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
Would you stay in BAS and continue building experience, or take the NewCold opportunity? I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has worked in building automation, industrial automation, or automated warehouses. Which path offers better long-term career growth, job stability, work-life balance, and earning potential?
Thanks in advance—I genuinely want to make the best decision for the next 10–20 years, not just the next paycheck

I’m 26 and trying to make the smartest long-term career decision.
Right now I work in Building Automation Systems (BAS) installation as a subcontractor doing Siemens controls. I’ve been in the field about a year and recently started getting the opportunity to run my own VAV jobs, so I’m continuing to learn and gain responsibility.
Here are my current pros and cons:
Current Job
$27/hour (plus occasional prevailing wage jobs)
Monday–Friday with every weekend off
Great learning opportunity in BAS
About a 1.5-hour commute each way, so I’m spending roughly 3 hours a day driving
Long days because of the commute
NewCold Offer
$34–35/hour
4 weeks PTO, benefits, 401(k)
About a 30-minute commute each way
Automation technician maintaining highly automated warehouse systems
Much less driving and more time at home
Rotating weekends instead of always having weekends off
Some work is in -10°F freezer environments (with cold-weather gear)
My biggest concern isn’t the money—it’s my long-term career. BAS seems like a specialized field with good growth potential, but NewCold would give me experience with industrial automation, PLCs, conveyors, robotics, and maintenance while also dramatically improving my commute and pay.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
Would you stay in BAS and continue building experience, or take the NewCold opportunity? I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has worked in building automation, industrial automation, or automated warehouses. Which path offers better long-term career growth, job stability, work-life balance, and earning potential?
Thanks in advance—I genuinely want to make the best decision for the next 10–20 years, not just the next paycheck

I’m 26 and trying to make the smartest long-term career decision.
Right now I work in **Building Automation Systems (BAS) installation** as a subcontractor doing Siemens controls. I’ve been in the field about a year and recently started getting the opportunity to run my own VAV jobs, so I’m continuing to learn and gain responsibility.
Here are my current pros and cons:
**Current Job**
$27/hour (plus occasional prevailing wage jobs)
Monday–Friday with **every weekend off**
Great learning opportunity in BAS
About a **1.5-hour commute each way**, so I’m spending roughly 3 hours a day driving
Long days because of the commute
**NewCold Offer**
$34–35/hour
4 weeks PTO, benefits, 401(k)
About a **30-minute commute each way**
Automation technician maintaining highly automated warehouse systems
Much less driving and more time at home
**Rotating weekends** instead of always having weekends off
Some work is in **-10°F freezer environments** (with cold-weather gear)
My biggest concern isn’t the money—it’s my long-term career. BAS seems like a specialized field with good growth potential, but NewCold would give me experience with industrial automation, PLCs, conveyors, robotics, and maintenance while also dramatically improving my commute and pay.
**If you were in my shoes, what would you do?**
Would you stay in BAS and continue building experience, or take the NewCold opportunity? I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has worked in building automation, industrial automation, or automated warehouses. Which path offers better long-term career growth, job stability, work-life balance, and earning potential?
Thanks in advance—I genuinely want to make the best decision for the next 10–20 years, not just the next paycheck

I’m 26 and trying to make the smartest long-term career decision.
Right now I work in Building Automation Systems (BAS) installation as a subcontractor doing Siemens controls. I’ve been in the field about a year and recently started getting the opportunity to run my own VAV jobs, so I’m continuing to learn and gain responsibility.
Here are my current pros and cons:
Current Job
$27/hour (plus occasional prevailing wage jobs)
Monday–Friday with every weekend off
Great learning opportunity in BAS
About a 1.5-hour commute each way, so I’m spending roughly 3 hours a day driving
Long days because of the commute
NewCold Offer
$34–35/hour
4 weeks PTO, benefits, 401(k)
About a 30-minute commute each way
Automation technician maintaining highly automated warehouse systems
Much less driving and more time at home
Rotating weekends instead of always having weekends off
Some work is in -10°F freezer environments (with cold-weather gear)
My biggest concern isn’t the money—it’s my long-term career. BAS seems like a specialized field with good growth potential, but NewCold would give me experience with industrial automation, PLCs, conveyors, robotics, and maintenance while also dramatically improving my commute and pay.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
Would you stay in BAS and continue building experience, or take the NewCold opportunity? I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has worked in building automation, industrial automation, or automated warehouses. Which path offers better long-term career growth, job stability, work-life balance, and earning potential?
Thanks in advance—I genuinely want to make the best decision for the next 10–20 years, not just the next paycheck.