HVAC Technician Starting Salary and Average Salary
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- HVAC Technician starting salary or average pay. In the HVAC trade there is a wide variety of fields one can work in but overall, the starting pay for most beginner techs will be somewhere between 10-18 dollars an hour. It depends on where the person lives and what company he or she is hired by. After that, the increase in pay over time will depend on experience and the individual's skill level in HVAC and other areas. For many residential technicians, $40/hr is the peak that they will attain throughout their career. Technicians working in the commercial or industrial field can get to even higher numbers such as $80/hr or even $100/hr. Once again it also depends on what HVAC field you are in (specialized skills pay more) and who your employer is besides other factors like location and education. So that's the summary of the video. For more info and details, watch the video and visit the comments section! :)
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Started 4 years ago for 15 an hr as a helper while I went to trade school within a year I was bumped to 17 and then to 20. Through school i found a better job w a refrigeration company. After going full time i pulled in 58k first year and already made that much this year and we still have 4 months left in the year. Commission based pay, 60% on labor and 20% comission. Comission is where its at. I am buying my first house and Im 26. I love the trade it is a lifestyle. This is in Austin Tx
Do you think I can have this type of luck working in San Antonio?
@@thenewsheriffintown5121 the beauty of the trade is, no luck at all. Its all on you, you earn everything. There is tons of work out there especially here in Texas bro, you gotta go out and get the work done. You can do it! Trade school helped me a ton, I would recommend TSTC!
I live in Austin who hires with no experience? I am studying for my EPA now.
@@trevisjohnson4635 if you dont know anybody in the industry start applying everywhere
You can really impress a company by driving out the the office and showing up and asking for a resume in person and just tell em youre green and want to dive in headfirst and get experience. You may have better luck w a bigger company at first. Try precision, or radiant, or stans, or airco, or amyone willing to give you a paycheck to learn!
Crazy I’m the same age and that’s exactly how it went for me with the raises, also buying my first home at 26 💯
I'm a female tech and installer in upstate NY. I started six years ago, learning on the job, for $15/hr. Now I'm making $27.50/hr. I work on commercial refrigeration, and commercial and residential HVAC. To clarify, I work in a small town. I work mostly side by side with my boss. I'm his only full time employee. I've had no prior schooling or training. Regardless of what the rest of you are making, I am happy. Being in a trade is very rewarding, I've learned so many different things, and worked alongside some other great tradespeople. It's so much more than just fixing coolers and ACs.....
You're definitely underpaid
@Navian Thank you!
Heather, good for you. I'm sure in six years you've gained a lot of knowledge.Navian is correct you entered a field mainly dominated by men and I'm sure you know better than most, that stereotypes and people's beliefs are hard to break. I started 37 years ago in the HVAC trade working for a full service gas utility in St Louis, Missouri and the only women we had in a company of two thousand employees were secretaries and 1 dispatcher. 37 years later every Department at the gas utility have women working in it ( heavy equipment operators, service technicians, supervisors in the leak department, training supervisors and even the CEO of the fifth largest gas utility in the country is a woman ). The thing about pay has a lot to do with the community you live in. Sometimes lower populated areas cannot support the type of pay the average technician makes in our field across the country. Take for instance the State I live in, we make a lot more money in the St Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, than the technicians in the rural areas of Missouri. Also the heavy populated areas have more opportunities & more equipment to be trained on ( from boilers as big as a city bus to the latest control systems). It boils down to two things ,the area you want to live in & the opportunities available.
In Houston Tx 35 for a Tech helper 18 hr
I have 2 yrs of vo tech in high school I’m 20 now. Should I go online and get my certifications or do you think I would have to go back to school? I went to trade school in high school , for half a day then tech
I started in 1997 with a commercial company. Electronics background, no HVAC experience, lots of motivation. I now own the company and average between $150K-$220K salary a year with 2 techs. North of Detroit.
I live in Texas where we have hot summers
I been doing HVAC for 15 years
I work on big stuff
Chillers and stuff like that
20-30-70 story buildings
Hospitals, jails , TV / raido stations etc
I make over 175k a year
Jorge a lot of ot? What is base a salary
Dang, I live in texas and do installs. Have a universal EPA and schooling but only a year of experience :( I just got a raise from $13 as a helper to $14.50 as a lead installer. When I talk to people I know or have met in the trade I never find anyone talking about these insane kind of salaries or what sort of career path to take in order to get to them. Everyones best advice is just hang in there and your pay will grow quickly. I actually really do love HVAC so far and just fond it fascinating so im not complaing about my job just more jealous and amazed with how much I hear others make in the field. How to get there tho xD
Do you do refrigeration too? Mainly chillers? I've been looking to relocate to DFW but the unions make like 35-40% less on the check alone. Chicago area union service techs make 120-150k on the check. Alot of the time guys only work on certain chillers like York's or Trane. Then other guys only do steam boilers or only (high pressure)process steam. Nice to specialize I suppose it depends on what type of company accounts they currently have contracted. I currently do commercial/industrial refrigeration, Hydronics, Steam & process steam( 350psi +), TAB, pipe fittings, backflows, chillers(mainly Trane), and general HVAC (very little install anymore). Would you recommend DFW area? Union or non union? What types of chillers you wrenching on and how many tons?
Thanks a lot I’m planning on moving to Texas when I get out of school.
Are you union?
Started at $10 an hour at 18yo. I make $37 an hour 13 years later in the southern Illinois area. This includes 100% paid health, dental, and vision, vacation, and I put in 8% and get 10%.
Im from Cali going to school for HVAC right now . i was an architecture major but was working odd construction jobs. im trying to get as much info and experience as possible i respect and appreciate the info provided !! Tryna make a positive change in my life
I just started as a service tech at a local HVAC company. I have no schooling in the trade, but I’m experienced in automotive, and house construction. I started at $20/hr. Owner said at the rate I’m going, I’ll be at $35/40 within three years. I’m working out of Rice and Dakota county, MN.
Like any trade you have to work your way up, once you prove yourself you will see your pay increase with the level of skill shown. The guy's who continue to improve in knowledge will always be more valuable to the employer and will get paid well. Being able to troubleshoot complex electrical systems in a timely manner is key to making really good money in this industry.
Lead installer in Northern Arizona I make 18.25/hour, I do residential mostly lots of remodels and changeouts. Been in the trade for 6 years now, started at 10/hour as a helper/shop helper. Over the past 6 years it's been pretty rough but I've learned alot and I am at the point that I can install and diagnose most issues that are wrong with the current system. I've also learned electrical high volt and low volt, plumbing, drywall, and framing doing the trade over the years Hvac teaches you so much and you can almost go anywhere with the skills you learn. I didnt go to college but I went to the school of hard knocks and learned from the guys that led the way, had def some hard moments along the way but I wouldn't change the experience for nothing 👍👍😎🤘
I started out at $4.5o an hour 30 years ago as a helper putting in duct work. Highest wages was $28 dollars an hour as service tech. Low wages most of my life due to the small market I worked in. Never really got to shine much . Learned a lot on my own. Only worked for one really good company, but had to move due to family issues . (Wife hated the place we lived). If I knew then what I know know I would have taken many different paths and went into chillers and boilers at a younger age. Love the big stuff, but my area has very little of that. Making $20 dollars an hour now at a private school . Very boring work. Planning to retire soon. Guys now days have it a lot easier. Everything is on your phone or on the web. Just Google anything and the info is there. Not so 30 years ago. You just had to beat your head against the wall until you fiqured it out somehow.
I like how the pay scales with skill set even when being self employed. Great video for someone getting into HVAC.
Thank you for sharing a good video for those who are interested in HVAC career. You are a good man . God bless you and your family.
That is the best, corniest, joke I have heard in a while! Thank you for this video. I have been thinking about getting into residential HVAC for a couple years. It is really, really, really hard to get anyone to come out for service in our area (near Cincinnati, OH). As a matter of fact, Dad's furnace broke 3 days ago and he was waiting patiently to even get a call back. I went over and fixed his furnace, thanks to you, today. I called around a few years ago, for a new install on a new construction and couldn't even get anyone to come out for a quote. I had to break down and pester a friend with HVAC license to buy me a furnace and he and I installed it. I am within 30 minute drive of at least a dozen HVAC companies. They are so busy, they can cherry pick the closest and easiest jobs and ignore the rest. A few years ago, I had one company tell me they don't go more than 20 minutes from their office.
Lol, glad you liked the joke! :) Thank you for explaining the situation in Ohio. Wow, and I thought we had a big shortage on HVAC technicians in Minnesota.. Turns out it's not even that bad here. It's good you were able to just get the furnace fixed yourself! Thank you for leaving a good comment!
I’m from Minnesota as well. I’m currently in school for HVAC so this video is very encouraging.
Glad to hear that! If you put in the effort, I am sure you will achieve great things! Good luck with school! I will be looking forward to seeing you on billboards in 10 years :D
I work in West Virginia. We cover the whole state and it has a lot of long days of driving involved. Made the shift from a residential to commercial/industrial about 5 years ago. Much happier, the average wage he spoke of is spot on here. You have to learn what you can, when you can. I’m very happy where I work but I truly work for my family, not the company. Always do what’s best for you. But if you find a good one, like I have, stay there. 🛠
I've been in hvac trade for 18 years. Live in the north east. Make 120k a year. I only do commercial/industrial.
What steps did you take to get there
He’s lying
@@dustking3569 not lying work for small company getting only prevailing wage jobs.
@@mistanipples4958 get control theory down pat, and electrical experience. The rest will come with time.
You live west coast prob then
I’ve been in HVAC 4 years now. And last year I did maintenances half the year and no heats / no cooks the other half. My total yearly gross was around 65-70k. But so far this year I expect that will rise to 70-80k. Depending on the company you can definitely make 6 figures as a senior tech or if your a comfort advisor / design specialist who just sells systems. I work for a very well respected place and none of the guys are crooked and I know 3 techs made it over 6 figures after tax last year. My first company in the east bay, maybe the largest in HVAC was as scummy as a place can be ran and their senior techs were pushing 150-200k a year. That’s what happens when you tell every customer who’s furnace is over 12 years old that they need to replace it. But you can do right by the customer and still push 6 figures with the right company
commercial or residential?
I started in this awesome industry 20 years ago making $7 an hour now I’m making $118k a year... it all depends on how much you’re willing to put into this field and make yourself more and more valuable. Learn to be a technician, have good customer service skills, and learn the business side of this trade..... the sky’s the limit..... 👍🏼
How did you learn the business side of Hvac
Felix Rodriguez
I started out by first learning the technical side of this business then as I went along I would pick up side work on a small scale then I quickly learned that I can do this on a higher scale so I learned how to price out work and learned about profit margins and just learned as I went along... many bumps on the road but is t everything in life.....
this is a great industry to make a very good living for those who really have a passion for it... 👍🏽
@@israelnieves7785 You said it all!
Started at $11 in the South Texas area with a local company while still going to school. Working full time and going to school full time for my AAS in AC was tough, but after 2 years I got up to $16, now after 4 years in the field going on 5, I’m making $23 with full benefits and 401k match. I’m looking forward to hitting $30 in the next couple of years
I started at 20 an hour as an electrician I’m at 23 after a year
Jose Haro 🤔 maybe I should’ve been an electrician lol
Pipe fitter apprenticeship is paying $23 /hr first year in Kansas City. Journeyman $46/hr.
11 bucks an hour? That’s not good.
I'm a manager at a hotel I overlook the mechanical side of the building Refrigeration air handler unit Etc but I never had a job as HVAC Tech for residential so I have no experience in that field but watching this guy has helped me a lot when I've had issues with my own AC at home. keep up the good work keep the videos coming
New York City here, apprentice often start at 15! I am a journeyman works for a union shop! Makes 42.50 a hour! Mainly doing residential, light commercial, and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning! Never stop learning, everyday there are new things to learn!
Mike pan what apprentices program you in ? I’m from nyc as well
Considering the cost of living in NYC 42.50 is like 32.50 in pretty much any other place. Rent is crazy, house pricing is crazy, gas, food, services etc...
Hey can I get in contact with you I’m from NYC as well
@@AJ_roadway sure buddy! What do u need help?
I’m a hvac technician in Las Vegas. I just newly started in this Industry. I’m currently working in building maintenance for an apartment complex. When I’m not doing hvac calls I do plumbing, carpentry, drywall, electrical, etc. I’m starting pay was $15. After one year my pay is now $17 hour. For anyone starting out I recommend studying, watching videos, reading hvac. Live breath eat sleep and shit hvac. You can never know enough. Keep learning and you will feel more comfortable as time goes on
Awesome video Jay... that’s what I call a true “word of advice” 👍👍👍
Thank you Mr. Miller! :) Nice to know that I occasionally provide words of advice ;)
Started at 12 while in school as a trim out mechanic. The company i work for does a lot of new construction. My job consisted of setting outdoor unit, braising in line sets inside and out, wiring up low voltage, and hanging grills. If homes had microwaves or hoods for the range i would hang them and hook up gas to appliances too. And really anything else that would fall under trim out. After about a month i was in my own van got bumped to 15. Did that for a year, finished school and started doing start ups and warranty duct mods. Got a raise to 17. After about 6 months they finally put mr in a van running service calls. So i guess now im around 2 and half years, April will be 1 year running service calls and right now im making 19. So this April i will have another review so hoping to get a couple more an hour. That will make 3 years total in the field, only one in service. I live in N.C
I'm a sales tech and started in 2001 at 10 bucks an hour, in the last 5 years I've made six figure income every year since then and there is no going back. It gets better every year and I'm not just a service tech, I've also got into comfort advisor (sales). The sky is the limit and just how hard you're willing to work and dedicated you're willing to be.
Any chance you’re willing to share tops on how you got the job?
I work for Trane and started out at $17/per hour. I thought it was great at the time. However you get to the point where it feels like you are not getting paid for what you’re worth. I know not everyone can own their own company, but man side jobs are where you make your money. Build your clientele, learn, and don’t cheat yourself but beat the local companies and you’re golden.
Varies wildly depending on location. In a major metro city in high cost of living areas, six figures is easily attainable. In small towns, it's substantially less, even for highly specialized master techs.
Got out of school 6 months ago. I would say I consistently make $30 - $ 100 an hour. Jay, thanks for the videos, watched them alot during my school time. Hope Hawaii is treating you well.
Nice! Seems like things are going well for you 👍👌 Happy to hear my videos helped, Hawaii is treating us good! 🤙🤙🤙 Good luck with your career Scott! I'm sure the road ahead is optimistic 😎
I graduated a HVAC trade course 2 years ago and I didn't manage to find a job yet but im getting back out there searching. Your channel is helping me refresh what Ive learned.
I am in New Orleans and I am a complete Green Horn Noob🤣 I think your videos are awesome, between you and Craig M. I have learned so much. I am a student of HVAC/R although I am in the trucking industry. I look forward to moving into the industry within the next couple of years. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge, clear lament instructions, and your time in making this video. I have came across a couple of HVAC techs who seems to not want to help a noob. This is ok, because I do have RUclips, my fundamentals from online shooling, and my will to learn the trade. I wish I would have done this 15 years ago.
Glad to hear you are enjoying our videos! My videos are more simple and Craig''s are more technical so it works out great. With your positive attitude, I am sure you will get far in a short amount of time. Good luck!!
@@WordofAdviceTV Pay ?
Great advice on continually improving your skills!!!
25-30 is pretty much max for residential, Never be afraid to change companies that’s how you can get the highest pay, but never burn any bridges with your old employer, some day they may offer something better
Very good advice! Thank you for commenting!
100% right! Sometimes you have to change companies to get ahead but you should ALWAYS factor in benefits and not just hourly pay.
There is an old saying - never step on toes today that might be connected the ass you have to kiss tomorrow...
Most of what I’ve seen jives with this
I just fixed my 95% furnace from watching your video. It turned out to be the induction motor that cost me $250.00. It would have been free but I didn't send in the warranty papers when I installed it....I will never make that mistake again with anything I buy..
Keep up the great videos....
Glad to hear you were able to get your furnace fixed! Thank you for leaving a comment and sharing the experience!
I worked for Thompson consulting engineers as a hvac commissioning agent.
Starting this month! Eager to learn. 💪🏽
First things first anybody that’s starting in the field do yourself a favor do install first it will make you a better tech. As far as pay it don’t matter if you make 50 bucks an hour if you only work 3 hours a week It a must to find out about slow times at company’s . I do install and tech it keeps me busy
Great advice! Thank you for the suggestions!
Three hours a week? You must be a crappy tech then lol 😂 40 hrs plus year round here in Chicago plus overtime if you want it 👍🏻
Funny I always say do service first, it will make you a better installer 🤔
@@theduffster2581 I’m in Chicago & I’m about to start school next month. Glad I came across yo comment I definitely want all hours when I get in the Field
One bit of advice I would like to add to this. If you're looking at comparing what you make as a technician with what a technician in another area of the country makes, you can get a better idea of apples to apples is by looking up the cost of living comparison for your/their zip code on the internet. This is very important if you're entertaining offers for employment somewhere else. (This applies to any job offer, not just hvac) I remember looking at a job in southern California several years back. I live in Lincoln, Nebraska. To maintain a similar lifestyle there compared to Lincoln I'd have had to make approximately 3 times as much per hour. And then, when I checked the crime rates comparison it was WAY higher for violent crimes/thefts/home break-ins. So the wage that seemed like a huge pay raise for me at first was really no raise at all and came with much worse odds of suffering as a result of crime. So do your research before making a decision about moving and taking a new job elsewhere. Hope this helps someone along the way. We all gotta make the best decisions we can for ourselves and our families. And the companies are in it to make their own profits, not to help you.
Hey Jay! Mama and I just got back from a holiday in Utah. I saw your post and decided to check it out. When I started in the summer of 93. I received $7.50 an hour. I just retired in December. I was making $51 per hour as a Journeyman Service Mechanic. Now that was just on my paycheck. I am a union member in SoCal. That also included 2 pensions, a 401, and medical plan. I never had to provide my own vehicle, petrol ⛽️, or maintenance on said vehicle. I never had to provide uniforms. Plus most of my companies had a laundry service. I even had one company that I worked for that had a service that picked up our paperwork and laundry from our service trucks at our home. I went to Community college for 2 semesters and received a certificate. My companies sent me to school. And as far as tools. All I had to supply was my hand tools. And that was even very minimal. It’s been a very satisfying trade and I really enjoyed it. I don’t think that I ever went to work one day. Thank you for sharing your experience. Now throw another log on the fire 🔥, have a shot of Jameson, and enjoy Friday evening. God bless.
P.S. My total package came out to 120K. Not too bad for an Injun who doesn’t know what super heat is! Ciao!
Mr. Blaze, it sounds like you have no regrets about the career you had. That's awesome! Thank you for sharing your journey in detail! You worked at a nice place. Hope you enjoyed your holiday stay in Utah :) God bless you and family as well!
Thanks buddy, I follow you from Barcelona Spain
Very nice break down, due to the variation of the question. 👍🏾
Yeah, there is no set answer for that question. Thank you for watching and the thumbs up! :)
Just started hvac about a week ago making 14 a hr but with help of videos like this tho I’m always actively learning new things and researching things I see on the job daily to get more calcification on it and gain knowledge and make more down the line. My company works in commercial hvac primarily but we also dabble in residential and the state I reside in is Florida
How much are you making now
17 plus commission I do residential now
How much you are earning right now in 2024 ?
Reply means soo much to me !
@@DhanushTherealworld almost 30 an hour
@@DhanushTherealworld I do commercial HVACr and restaurant refrigeration now instead of residential but when I finished my last residential gig I was making 25 and hr plus commission
Commercial/Industrial installer and pipe insulator. Just got in the field with a starting pay of $14/hr but in Pennsylvania, prevailing wage for state jobs has been around $40/hr.
I live in Central Florida and I've only been in the trade for a little over a year. I do strictly commercial HVAC and refrigeration as well as working on boilers and such when they need me. Went to school and got certified and started at $16 working under a service tech of 50 years (he was 70 years old, no idea how he even stayed on his feet). 4 months later they sent me off on my own and have been at $18/hour since, slowly getting raises. Actually due for another raise in the next few weeks to $20/hour when I transfer to training on VRF. Only moving up👍🏻
With 3 years of experience in the Detroit area at a commercial company I was making $22/hr asking aggressively for raises. I went to a residential company because I was going to be a helper for the next 10 years at the commercial company and they started me at $18 with the opportunity for 6% commission on furnace sales. Residential is more in line with my goals.
I enjoy residential more as well :) Like grandma used to say though: "different strokes for different folks". Thank you for sharing your experience!
I am a subcontractor tech 20yrs in the field an work my way up to 45% with out the overhead of a company. Still my goal is to own my own company one day. So in the Hvac field u can go far as your willing to go with the time an effort. Stay up to date on the newest product an how it works and all the changes in technology that go's with it. This will help you go far in the Hvac world.
I’ve been in this trade since 1993. Started as a tin knocker in Maine then moved to Florida a became an installer, Now I’m in NH on the sea coast as a service tech. It doesn’t matter where you go as long as your in the trades. Any trade. You’ll have work. The trades in general are hurting. We need young people to get excited about the work. It’s not easy but it’s honest good hard work. In the south or in the north. Over Time is where you make your money. I’m $30 an hr. 90 k a year. Lots of OT.
How was your pay in Florida?
I worked for Lake Mechanical Inc, near Orlando, for eight years as their lead commercial service tech. My scope of work was mainly commercial new construction startups/warranty, and installing ductless mini-splits. It was a hostile work environment due to managerial incompetence and micromanagement. 67 years in business doing 30 million annually in business, and lost it all in bankruptcy. The most I ever made with them in a year was about 65k. I'll never forget the day a manager told me I was hogging up all the service work all the while they were running me ragged. Service techs don't get paid enough, or treated well from my experience in Orlando. Your mileage may vary. I held a Florida Class A air conditioning license and a Master HARV license so I was no upstart by any measure.
Residential Service Tech
Year 1(9 months) $39k
Year 2 $62k
Year 3 $83k
Nice! Short and to the point. That is a really good progression rate. Thank you for sharing!
Damn what part of the us are you in
you going up every year !! congrats
It depends on where you live. When I was in the business, the techs made more money than installers. Most of the installers were mechanically inclined but were not good at troubleshooting. One of the reasons that I got out of HVAC/Refrigeration is due to low pay despite the fact that I had more training and education than your average technician.
How much of that is in Sales?
I went to hvac school, then immediately went on to ger my chiller license. As a union member Operating Refrigeration Engineer the range is from $38 hr to $50 hr in the nyc area. Your video is spot on various areas in hvac there isn't a ceiling get training in various areas. Cad design is an area with pay potential in the higher 6 figures.
I do commercial refrigeration with a Union shop. Journeyman pay is 68.00 per hour. 36.50 on your check rest pays for benefits. All expenses paid including van tools etc.
That sounds like a good compensation plan! Thank you for sharing!
Im local Union 441 out of Kansas and were the same...where are you out of??
@@shawnq9658 local 33 des moines iow
Im in quebec im 19y/o. just finished school this year and make 20,50$/h. I do residential and commercial. It is a little ruff but really love it. Great job for people that hate routine and love always being on the go.
Even though I’m going to be in the electrical industry next year I still love to hear different trades.
I started a union electrician position early this year. My crew was so toxic I ended up quitting.
It was a culture shock going from platoon sergeant in the military to working with lazy, entitled babies that were super stoned and super disrespectful to the customers.
Should have requested new employer but quit instead.
Best of luck.
I live in south texas Graduated December 14, 2019 and i started working December 16,2019. I got picked up by a nation wide company so starting was decent i only have about 1 1/2 years experience. We do supermarket refrigeration as well as a bit of comercial HVAC. Start pay $17hr but i was offered as low as $9hr with local companies as helper. What helped me out was networking within my instructors they know everyone in the business and thats the best way to get into a good company. If you go off my hourly i should be at around 32k a year but once we start our summer I’ve been told by coworkers who started like me i should really end my year at around 50-60k.
U need to move....
I am retired after 39 years as a commercial/ industrial tech.
I loved my jobs most days.
In Alberta Canada the journeyman rate is $48/hr. plus benefits.
Hey zuki, I’m in hvac school right now in Ontario, were you in a union making that kinda Money and how did you retire early? Did you save and invest into real estate... thank you, very nice to talk to a Canadian in the comments
@@dude6419 My last 7 years were with a non union company because it was a good gig and only $1.50 less than union rate with great benefits. The first 32 were union.
The union had a good pension plan and benefits. Learn your craft well by talking to old timers, attending trade meetings and taking courses. It's a small trade. Get yourself known as a good guy that likes to learn. Remember, your journeyman ticket is just a ticket to learn. I used to get calls at home asking me to jump ship. In those 32 years, I quit companies several times and moved on when I was not happy. One place I went back to 3 times. It says a lot about your character and skills if they will hire you back. Don't burn bridges or walk around with chip on your shoulder and you should be fine. Stay out of office politics. I had several chances to become service manager that I turned down. Too many headaches. I even quit foreman jobs twice. Not worth it. You will have a rewarding career, as I did. I loved my job most days.
I’m starting my apprenticeship in 2 weeks and I CANNOT be more excited!!!
Tennessee. Been a Residential Service Tech for about 3 years. Started at 15, make 20 now.
Good info. Trades are so often overlooked as a good career choice. I started at $7h in 1996 (Michigan) used my experience to grow in the field and currently serve as the Director of Engineering of a large real estate developer in Detroit. When I started in the trade, I never thought that this is where I would end up, but my trades experience opened doors that I never thought possible.
On a side note, Jay needs to take that ring off his finger while at work. Too easy for it to short out on something electrical or get hung up on a ladder etc.
I really love your advice !
Good day David early , can I have your contact info (email) so I can reach you regarding HVAC ? It would be very helpful as I am planning to enter HVAC after completing my bachelor's in engineering this year , thanks in advance 😇
Yes, no rings; I left mine in the truck!
I work as a state employee doing hvac in a prison in the new england area. I make 26$ which is a bit lower than what I made in the private sector. But its union with excellent benefits top notch health insurance and standard working hours Monday thru friday. Also retirement with full pension after 25 yrs
@Navian yea I was vague for a reason. But OT is there when you want it. Whether it's coming in early to get a start on PMs or plowing the facility during and after snow storms. To drumming up small projects. It's a cool place to work just takes some getting used to working with inmates.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Im a service tech in LA California for industrical and commercial systems, i got my epa 608 about 2 months ago and i still have about 3 months of school left, i got hired by one of my teachers as an apprentice starting at 22$ the hour and so far ive been enjoying it a lot, learning a lot too
I’m a technician in Hawai’i. I started installing residential ac at 18hr. Couple years later moved into commercial havcr and now making 29.
Overall do you like it
I started out in the field back in 2013 as a helper here in NYC making $16 an hour did that for 2 years and was at $18 an hour at the age of 20. Left to go be a handyman for 4 years in a residential building making $26 an hour plus lots of tips came out making like 65k at the end of the year with tips and OT. Now I got in a commercial building as a Maintenance mechanic making $38 an hour with OT , just did my first year and made 104k with OT and holiday. I am in a union now and doing great next step is to move up to a operating Engineer as they make $43 an hour now. I never really liked the field a house job is more for me.
Like you I also started as a greenhorn in the industry at 11.25 withing 5 years I was making 28/hr non union ,running commercial and residential service and installation. (Kentucky) now year 8 working for the local I make 34/hr before benefits package.
Thanks for the info. I needed thi
My first year as an HVAC Technician in 2018 in San Diego, California I started at $44,000 a year. I was primarily doing maintenance work with commercial equipment. Now I am a government employee working as an HVAC Technician making $60,000 a year.
How do you like it it’s nice to see someone on here from sandiego I’m a tuskl about to start hvac school on the 24th and it’s for 9 months . I’d love to make 60,000 a year I quit security and I am just going to do school full time for this then graduate.
Residential has turned into a sales market. Atleast that's my experience. I work for a pretty big company in Dallas and they push sales a lot harder than service. My gross income last year was around 88,000. The sales department averaged 200,000.
Love your content.
When I started, they trained me for basic diagnostics and repairs. They started me at $16/hr. I expanded my knowledge from there and keep learning more everyday. My current employer sends me to training classes and teach me new stuff to me like making ductwork, local code, variable speed and communicating systems.
It sounds like you are in a good place! If there is continuing training, that's a big plus! Although I would still keep an eye out for higher paying jobs..
@@WordofAdviceTV my employer does pay me more than that other place, I don't want to post my salary just in case my coworkers are watching this. Money is not always the deciding factor in staying with a company, they do pay me well and if I need a day off, they usually approve it. They work with me even if it's a last minute thing. They allow me to take my time on repairs because they know the customer will know why the repair was done, if it's a tstat I will teach the customer how to work it, I will make sure it is done right and the job site will be spotless. Sorry, I guess I should have made it clearer that I was no longer at that first place, I do run into new guys working at that place and I just smile.
@@miguelh2481 That sounds like a nice job! Thank you for explaining. And I totally understand, I would not want to inconvenience you if you say any exact numbers. That is the same reason why I only said I make over $30/hr in the video... You sound like one of the above average techs! :) I am sure there will be even better things for you going forward. Good luck and God bless!
Gonna start soon as an apprentice in California for HVAC tech super excited
How much are they paying you if you don’t mind me asking
@@24xblitz starting is 15 an hour. But later on they give you a pay raise plus you get commission I believe
@@breneliortega2429 what part of cali cause that’s what am going to school for in Los Angeles
@@24xblitz near riverside. The company is called synergy companies
I start a year ago and I was making $12 as a helper after six month they give me a raise of $18.50 an hour and after another three months now I’m making $20 an hour and I live in South Jersey
I'm an HVAC tech in NYC, been doing it for 8yrs. Lucky to be in the union: 638. Am now making 45hr and still climbing. There is a lot of opportunities in this filed for advancement and promotions. I never stop learning, this is an ever evolving field and I love it!!!
8 months later lol. but I’m just starting my starter certificate in college. Was wondering what would I need to get in a union or apple for apprenticeship in union opportunity thanx.
Does the union let you do side work?
Great video buddy thanks for the info 👍👍
Thank you! Glad you liked the video!
Houston texas. I'm working for Goodman the manufacturer, As a test technician, Starting salary is $23 per hour with full benefits.
You guys have a wichita falls location. Im looking for good place to go
In Waller ?
Goodman is not good
I work for Goodman by 610 loop but Goodman don’t pay very good here in Houston you can make 35 hr .
I'm in Houston, been in trade school for bouta a month and am falling in love with it more and more. Cant wait to get the knowledge down pack and get in the field!!!
I started as an electrician in the US Navy. Worked as a technician for about 20 years (still a tech today) I went back to school for HVAC and graduated with my AAS HVAC. I’m licensed and CFC certified. The HVAC field and trades in general are over looked. That’s why there is a shortage of techs.(this is a plus for us -pay-) I live in northern Virginia and make well over $30 an hour. This field can be hard on the as you age (depends on what you’re doing) Being in the trades helps me not only to earn a living but as a home owner because I fix just about everything. I say get into this field!!!!
I’m 42 and weigh 290lbs. Can I get into this?
There’s a lot of money to be made but it’s up to you to get your schooling,license and reputation. Can’t go around asking for money with no trail to back you up. I’m in the North East were the field is much wider as everything possible in hvac is in use, there for pay is much greater but again you need to ready yourself.....for a 7 years tech in the field I like you dude,your right on 👍
Went to school for Hvac tech, switched directions and went into a union apprentice program for Stationary Engineers in Chicago.
Highly recommend, pays more, I work inside in mechanical rooms on 60 ton chillers, and 6 million btu boilers, not on rooftop units when it's 90 degrees out.
U should add what the minimum wage was when u first started working.
I’m a plumber apprentice
In an my first year I was making 13 a hour the wage for California minimum wage was I believe 10 or 11 don’t remember
Took some time off of plumbing for personal reasons, had to do other type of work but when I got the chance to go back I did, found a job where I was getting paid 15 a hour but it was part time would’ve been nice if it was full time. Only stuck with that company for the learning experience and because the owner seemed to like my work.
He was cheap tho and expected to much for 15
I started looking and found my current job where they offered me 18 just because of my experience. Been there for about 3 months and just got a raised with out me asking. They just said like ur work and here u go 2 bucks more lol know I’m at 20 still learning and still motivated to go up it doesn’t stop here
In Washington state as a beginner hvac tech I was at about 14 an hour did that for about a year or 2. Switched to refrigeration/commercial and started at twice as much
Getting double the pay for switching jobs is pretty impressive, wow! I hope your third job will double it yet again! :) Thank you for sharing!
Go to Indeed.com Search for Airefco. There are having 2 Service Managers job available. Base of 60K plus a car. This is in Kirkland 👍
In Washington as well doing new constructions in Kirkland 0 experience starting at $18
Commercial refrigeration is a much better career choice. I worked in both HVAC and refrigeration but it was really hard to get into a good refrigeration company despite the fact that I had a lot of experience with walk-ins, remote beer systems, ice machines, and soda systems.
I’m 17 years old and I’m not sure if I should do the hvac trade. Can u guys give me some pros and cons plz.
Thank you for the info.
It all depends on the area you live. Small town HVAC guys don’t make the same as bigger cities. I started at 3.35$ hr. And after 30 yrs I was up to 26$. But I learned every aspect of the job. From residential to sheet metal to commercial to industrial.
In Australia, It seems wages vary depending on location mostly. In the city a refrigeration mechanic can usaully expect about 100K AUD a year or more (about 70K USD atm) and in rural areas usaully about 70 - 80K (about 50K USD).
I am lucky enough to work in a rural area doing commercial HVAC mostly and will make about 90-100K AUD this year
Everything in Australia is stupid expensive especially coming from Texas, 8 dollars AUD for a red bull, 32 dollars for some Reds, 22 AUD for a bottom self tequila shot, 100 dollars for lap dance although the bitches dont play there, went to tgif Friday in Sydney 220, in same restaurant in Houston easy 100 max, but damn the women there, oh and the cops are nice and the really dont have shit to do other than harrass people lol loved though
I went to my local community college and got a two-year certification in plumbing and HVAC. I did residential work right out of school For $17 an hour before switching to building maintenance. At 24 I’m making $26 an hour after being here for only a year and a half. It’s a fair rate for the area and the cost of living is not high in north east PA.
Where in northeast PA? Like northeast Philly area in Somerset?
I'm 17 and I'm enrolled in an HVAC career course for my next semester of HS. This seems like a good trade. For me attics will be the biggest challenge, as those are the last places you want to be during the May to October months in Texas. We'll see how it goes.
Nice I’m in Minnesota going to school for hvac at hennipen tech thanks for the info
Im in florida and hvac is huge. I literally went into an apprenticeship with no schooling or experience. Started with no pay first 30days. Then got bumped to 15$ hr after certifications. After 90days in my fresh start career i got company van and paid 25$ hour. Havent made my first year yet but after my first year im lookin and 30 and up. I love hvac. Best in hotter states
What part of Florida I’m in Miami and there’s no jobs they all want 5+ years experience
@@vonksummer9099 tampa
@@vonksummer9099 That's weird
Just to add some more perspective from a small business owner. My call out fee is 75 and it beats every company in the area easily, I can do 2-3 service calls an hour if it's small stuff that's wrong. But that doesn't mean I make $150-225/hr. Guys have to remember the lean times too. Off season dies where I'm at so there's a solid 3 months or so with not much going on. This also ignores all the expenses. However, once you're established and have your customer base, its not even close. The struggle is just getting that base. You can expect at least a few years of really lean times as no one knows your name.
I don't always make more money from an install. Actually most small businesses I know pay an installer to do their installs because it takes too much time away from service calls.
If it's a condenser swap or a coil swap, yeah that's good money, but if I have to spend most of a day ripping out an old furnace and installing a new one I could have made 8+ service calls in that time. Once you add call out fees plus parts / Freon I typically look at service calls as my bread and butter. I much rather sell the install, have an installer come in and do it behind me, and then I keep making calls.
Stuff like duct work I don't even touch in our busy season. All of it either the customer waits until our off season or they find someone else. It's just not worth my time.
The way I always explain it to people is, the risk is much higher when you start your own business but the reward is much higher too. I don't even mean money wise either. Stuff like being able to control your schedule, being able to just turn down a job or bid it really high if you don't want to mess with it. Being able to have time for your family and not answer to anyone else. The pay can be really nice but it's the other stuff that I find even more valuable.
2 to 3 service calls per hour? What is it an apartment with three floors?Did they just forget to turn the thermostat up?
This july 11 im starting my course! Wish me luck .
G'day, I'm from Melbourne, Australia. Working predominantly on install and fault finding Split/Ducted/VRV systems, mostly residential and some commercial. I started on $11 an hour as a first year apprentice at 18 years old, it takes 4 years to become qualified if you pass all exams on time and now qualified and 5 years into the trade I'm on $32 an hour + work truck. Its still not all the money in the world at this stage but i really enjoy the work and i constantly feel as if I'm learning new things all the time. There is just so much to know its crazy. And sure there are some jobs i have to do which lick ass, but as a whole i definitely recommend the trade
Hi Jay, this is Rocky from Toronto Canada. Do you have any recommendation on how to choose a good HVAC company to work with?
Hvac tech in Canada, started in 2006 at $15/h after 3 months offered 16/h but said no and got $18/h doing service and install oil and gas (no ac license) changed companies after 3 years starting at $23/h and getting up to $28.50/h by 2015 before moving into sales & operations full time. Was able to negotiate $45k salary with 5% commission ($500k in sales first year) company vehicle, gas card, 3 weeks vacation. As of today I'm at 60k all the same benefits and way more sales. 😎
In Milwaukee I topped out at 30/hr for resi service in 2012, now you top out at about 32, very few companies 34. I do Commercial now and make 37/hr and the ceiling is about 40. The benefits are VERY important as well. I get 4 weeks vacation a year, up to 6% full match 401K, above average healthcare, profit sharing comes out to $3,000-$5,000/yr and we get spiffs for certain things like service agreements, on-call, etc. that come out to about $10,000/yr. 2019 I made $116,000 including overtime which came out to 228 hours for the year.
I was going to school to be automotive technician I was just about finished but head of department had it out for me so I am thinking about becoming HVAC tech.. before I forget in the automotive field there is a shortage of competent technician. A lot of the younger generation just isn't interested in doing work with there hands. I'm all for doing the work.
A couple years ago I started at a company in South Eastern Wisconsin doing installs at $19/hr and within 6 months I was at $35/hr running service calls for residential and commercial. I have a two year associates degree in HVAC-R and all my certs. The company didn't give two shits about the safety of their employees or customers so I left. As a homeowner always ask questions and to see certifications, if they're working on your AC, and if they seem unknowledgeable get them out of there asap.
I’m looking to get into the field and am also in south east Wisconsin would to mind talking to me more about the field
I'm a residential HVAC installer in Atlanta. I've been doing it for about 5 years and I make 70-80k per year.
Dakota Smith I’m a Supermarket Refrigeration in Atlanta and I did 82,000 last year and I’m 3 years out of tech school
Oh come on....did it for 20 years and never made more than 50k
@@graybush10 where do you live?
@@graybush10 Not impossible dude every state has different dollar amounts. I also make at least $80,000 a year being a residential installer for a non union company with minimal overtime here in Oregon
Hey brother, thanks for all your information in your videos!!! If is possible can you make a video on how to vacuum an ac unit properly???
Great insight!!
I’m in the Army active duty and go to college directly after work for HVAC. I work Army 5am-5pm and college 6pm-10pm. My job in the Army is a generator mechanic and it goes hand and hand with A/C technician. I want to start my company one day.
Hi
Great video. 👍
In Denmark it takes 4 years for the crafts education.
We mostly do ventilation. Building, service and commisioning.
I belive Our salery is between 30 and 45 dollars in hour.
Hello from Denmark. Capital area
Residential HVAC Service Tech here living in South West Ohio. I went to trade school about 3 years ago.
I make 19/h with 4% commission on all sales and repairs. I do everything from replacing condenser could to selling completely new systems. Averages out to be around 30/h