If you’re considering a career in HVAC, you’ve likely wondered what your salary might be once you get started. Or maybe you’re already an HVAC Tech and you want to know what other professionals in your industry make?
Like most jobs, compensation for HVAC Technicians can vary depending on your location, years of experience, area of expertise, and a few other factors as well.
HVAC Technician Salary
In the U.S. the average pay for an HVAC Tech is $24.57 an hour, or about $50,000 a year, not including overtime. Wait, did you just get the answer to your question without having to sift through 2,000 words of filler? Yes! But… There’s more than just a national average to consider when evaluating a career.
For instance, when you compare the average salary of an HVAC Tech to the average U.S. salary of $31,133, your perspective can shift. Additionally, trade school generally requires much less time and money compared to a traditional four-year college. Basically, you’re looking at the potential to earn a higher salary and have lower student loan debt than the average American.
Hold on, is working in the trades sort of awesome? In terms of income, absolutely! But we know that your career is about more than just a paycheck. You want to be happy, respected, and fulfilled in your work!
People tend to underestimate the value and rewarding nature of being a tradesman. The traditional mindset is that to be successful, you need to get a bachelor’s degree or higher, accept an entry-level position, and slowly pay off your debt until you retire. People can assume that becoming an HVAC Tech, or any other skilled tradesperson, doesn’t require hard the same level of hard work and dedication. But do you know what else people don’t consider? How to fix a broken water heater.
Median Salaries According to ContractingBusiness.com
How to become an HVAC Tech
Becoming an HVAC Tech does in fact require hard work. The first requirement is fairly standard, a High School Diploma or GED. Then, a budding HVAC Tech has to enroll in an HVAC program at a technical school which could take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Finally, many HVAC professionals are hired as apprentices to get further hands-on training and improve their skills.
So what’s with the bad wrap? HVAC Techs can earn a great salary and have a tremendous amount of training and skill. But it doesn’t end there!
3 more benefits to being an HVAC Tech:
1. Job Security – There will ALWAYS be a need for HVAC professionals. Regardless of the economy or changes in technology, people will never stop depending on heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
2. Variety – No two days will ever be the same as an HVAC Tech. You’re not stuffed in an office cubicle, you’re working with different equipment in different environments every day!
3. Satisfaction – A career in HVAC is both challenging and rewarding. You get to work with your hands and serve as a problem solver. Additionally, you are genuinely helping people.
4. Career growth and earning potential – Did we mention the average salary? HVAC Techs have a high potential to increase their income as they gain experience and go on to become certified. Many professionals go on to own their own HVAC companies later on in their careers.
An average workday as an HVAC Tech
As we mentioned above, no two days are alike in the world of HVAC. You can expect to visit different job sites, new clients, and different problems to solve every day. Often times you’ll have multiple small projects to get to in a day, residential homes or apartment complexes that need maintenance or upkeep. On the other hand, you may be dealt with a larger project. New construction, renovations, office buildings, or a more complex homeowner issue may require you to spend a few days on the same project.
Like any job or career path, unexpected problems can pop up. You might have to endure some extreme heat or cold, operate heavy equipment which could pose a safety risk, or work long hours to finish a job. On the flip side, those long hours can accumulate and earn you some extra money from overtime pay!
HVAC Techs and tradesmen alike are critical professionals in our society. With all of the hard work and skills required to be an HVAC professional, the salary potential is much deserved!
