An HVAC technician's salary is higher than many other technicians in the U.S. According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), The median pay in 2023 was $57,300 per year, with the average pay per hour being $27.55. The salary varies by state, employer, and one's experience level.
Within the HVAC industry, fields that offer the highest pay include commercial HVAC service, system design, and specialized cooling and refrigeration systems. HVAC techs in these areas, especially those in the highest paying states, can earn significantly more than the industry average.
Hvac is one of the highest paying trades, right behind pipefitting. There are so many aspects to it that its really a lifetime of learning and mastering your art. And it really is art, I mean way beyond many of the other trades even.
Salary, Opportunities, and Growth
Both HVAC technicians and electricians earn similar compensation, though the average annual salary for electricians is about $5,000 higher than that of HVAC techs. Both have a large disparity in pay between the highest and lowest-earning ten percent of professionals.
HVAC Technician
HVAC techs usually go through programs designed specifically for the career. Working for a property management firm or corporate HVAC company usually nets a nice income, but making $100,000 or more a year often requires starting your own company.
HVAC Technicians need to be able to do some basic calculations to determine the amount of refrigerant to use in a system, translate a blueprint design, and understand the amount of electricity that a system needs. You don't have to be a mathematician, but you should feel comfortable with basic algebra.
Is HVAC a Hard Trade to Learn? For some people, HVAC can be a hard trade to learn, at least initially. There can be a steep learning curve in the first year to understand the scientific and technical parts of air conditioning repair, and heating repair.
Some trades that are generally considered easy to learn include HVAC, plumbing, phlebotomy, and medical assisting.
The short answer is yes. With the right training, experience, and communication skills it's very possible to make over $100,000 per year as an HVAC tech. In 2024, the HVAC technician salary range for the HVAC trade was between $30 per hour, and $43 per hour depending upon certification and HVAC training.
Plumbers make a little more than HVAC Techs on average. The national average for plumbers is $55,000, and for HVAC techs it is $48,000. Some people do both, and the average salary for them is $60,000. Plumbers and HVAC technicians have comparable salaries.
Job Security – HVAC service can't be exported. Service jobs have never left the U.S. like some other industries have, and they never will. Become a Millionaire – A lot of contractors are young millionaires because HVAC is an industry where it's possible to go from mechanic to millionaire in less than a decade.
The national average salary for HVAC technicians in the US is around $48,730 per year, with the highest 10% earning over $77,920. Areas with high demand often offer salaries above the national average. This growth in income potential is a testament to the value of skilled HVAC technicians.
In California, for example, intermediate HVAC technicians in the 10th percentile make $52,500. In the 90th percentile, it's $84,900.
On average, many construction managers, electricians, and welders earn more than $100,000 per year. For the trades skills, there is no necessity for two years or less of advanced education. You can place yourself on the path to earning over six figures.
It's clear that while each trade presents its own set of challenges, there are several that stand out from the rest as particularly difficult. Electricians and plumbers grapple with complex learning curves, roofers face formidable physical demands, and miners have to confront extreme conditions and isolation.
In conclusion, the best currency pairs to trade for beginners are EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY.
For example, if you search for jobs in the HVAC industry on HVACJobsCenter.com, you'll see that companies such as Baker Home Energy in Escondido, California are hiring candidates with a salary starting at $100k and above, if you meet qualifications.
Multi-Talented / Jack-of-All-Trades
Not only are we setting equipment, but we're also involved in plumbing gas lines and condensate drainage, working with high and low voltage, constructing new platforms, cutting in supply registers in rooms, enlarging returns and even cutting holes through rooftops to place new units.
Complex Concepts: Students face a learning curve as they grasp system mechanics, HVAC design, and energy efficiency. Understanding these intricate systems is crucial for troubleshooting and maintaining equipment.
In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 441,200 HVAC technician jobs, with an anticipated growth of 9% by 2033. The figures clearly show that an HVAC career is in high demand. That means now is the perfect opportunity to enter this industry.
An HVAC career doesn't typically require advanced math skills. HVACR technicians do need basic math skills, like the ability to read a tape measure, calculate basic load requirements and use fractions.
Physical demands: The job can be physically demanding. HVAC technicians often need to work in confined spaces, crawl into tight areas, and lift heavy equipment.