HVAC Technician Starting Salary and Average Salary

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

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.....

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

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.

Residential Service Tech Year 1(9 months) $39k Year 2 $62k Year 3 $83k

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..... 👍🏼

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

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 👍👍😎🤘

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.

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.

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.

I like how the pay scales with skill set even when being self employed. Great video for someone getting into HVAC.

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

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.

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

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’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

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