HVAC techs are in high demand across the U.S., and you can make a good living anywhere in the country.
The need for skilled HVAC technicians continues to grow as the number of retiring HVAC techs outpaces new apprentices entering the field.
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To compound things, fewer job seekers today consider careers in HVAC work, as well as other skilled trades. To bridge the gap, HVAC companies need to devote considerable time and effort to recruiting new techs.
The HVAC industry is projected to add about 15,000 new jobs over the next eight years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). From small businesses to the largest HVAC companies, skilled HVAC professionals are clearly in demand.
A number of factors over the past two decades contributed to the current HVAC tech shortage:
Skilled HVAC techs are retiring at a faster rate than new recruits are replacing them.
Many schools no longer offer shop classes, removing a steady pool of potential workers.
Green and smart HVAC systems require more intensive training.
A societal shift steered more students toward four-year colleges versus trade schools.
Today, roughly 44 million Americans owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student loans for college, while those in HVAC training programs get paid on the job. They also avoid racking up college debt on their way to becoming a well-paid journeyman HVAC technician.
“In a hundred different ways, we have slowly marginalized an entire category of critical professions, reshaping our expectations of a good job into something that no longer looks like work," Mike Rowe, host of The Discovery Channel's “Dirty Jobs,” and a champion of the skilled trades, told the U.S. Senate in 2011.
"A few years from now, an hour with a good plumber–if you can find one–is going to cost more than an hour with a good psychiatrist. At which point, we’ll all be in need of both,” he adds.
Fast-forward to 2021, and thousands of unfilled residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC technician jobs back up Rowe's prediction.
What types of HVAC tech jobs are available?
Job seekers who overlook serving as an HVAC/HVAC-R tech miss the opportunity to work in a fast-growing industry with unlimited potential for advancement. HVAC positions offer competitive pay, job security, and the opportunity to truly write your own job description.
Many HVAC techs value their jobs because:
Apprentice HVAC techs get paid full-time to learn on the job.
In 2020, the median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $50,590, while the highest 10 percent made more than $80,000, according to the BLS.
HVAC technician job openings and job security rank high.
They like to work with their hands.
They appreciate work outside of the office.
They enjoy helping people.
HVAC or HVAC-R technicians—the “R” stands for refrigeration—enjoy a wide variety of job descriptions, including HVAC mechanic, HVAC installer, maintenance technician, HVAC service technician, and refrigeration specialist.
HVAC technicians work in both residential and commercial settings, including factories, hospitals and medical offices, high-rises, schools, apartments, and single-family homes. They install and service HVAC equipment, including air conditioners, air conditioning systems, chillers, compressors, and heat pumps. HVAC techs troubleshoot failures and offer solutions, specialize in green or smart technology, and provide consultations for real estate sales.
It's a plus if HVAC techs aren't claustrophobic, as some work occurs in crawl spaces. And temperatures on the job site are often extreme, especially when a customer loses heating or cooling.
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High demand fans HVAC technician salaries
Because of the technician shortage, those in entry-level positions will have unprecedented opportunities for training and advancement.
HVAC technician pay varies from state to state. Alaska, for example, ranks at the top, with entry-level techs earning an average salary of $51,200, while Arkansas comes in last with an average starting salary of $41,200. Supervisors in Alaska earn about $92,900, while supervisors in Arkansas earn $72,700 on average.
Note: The cost of living differs from state to state. But with HVAC jobs in high demand, techs have the flexibility to earn a good living in all 50 states.
How to become an HVAC technician
HVAC licensing requirements vary widely from state to state. Some require a license issued by the state, while others rely on local jurisdictions to govern HVAC licensing and certification. Indiana, for example, has no state-required HVAC license, but cities like Indianapolis and Evansville mandate their own HVAC licensing requirements. For more information on licensing requirements, check out ServiceTitan’s state-by-state HVAC licensing guide.
Multiple channels lead to a job as an HVAC professional. Typically, you only need to pass a background check and hold a high school diploma or GED to start the process.
The first step involves becoming an HVAC apprentice. Many HVAC employers train their apprentices on the job, while some prospective HVAC apprentices prefer to gain experience from one of the many technical and trade schools across the U.S.
After gaining the necessary experience, HVAC apprentices can apply for a journeyman HVAC license. In many states, the journeyman license requires four years of on-the-job experience serving as an apprentice, and passing the journeyman HVAC exam.
After serving as a journeyman HVAC technician for the specified time (usually four years), techs can apply to become a master technician and run their own shops.
To become an HVAC contractor, most states require you to hold liability insurance and employ at least one master HVAC technician. HVAC techs can also complete specialty certifications to learn additional skills and ultimately earn more money.
HVAC technician jobs offer real job security
If you’re looking for a secure job, consider working as an HVAC tech. The HVAC industry is expected to grow by 4% in the next decade, according to the BLS, with some studies projecting even higher growth.
A national building boom and trade laborer shortage make it difficult to find qualified HVAC techs. This combination influenced the HVAC industry into offering higher wages, better benefits, and on-the-job training for those willing to work and study.
Plus, today's new construction demands more green technology and smart electronics than ever before, especially in medical and educational settings. That means more opportunity for HVAC companies positioned with the right HVAC techs.
HVAC companies retool
A societal misconception that skilled trades deliver lower pay and fewer job prospects than a college degree leaves HVAC companies across North America short-staffed, unable to bid on high-dollar jobs, and competing with other local businesses.
Tired of missing out on profitable jobs due to the labor shortage, the construction industry and HVAC companies now strive to:
Educate the public about the benefits of working in the trades.
Offer key benefits to attract top talent and new recruits.
Partner with trade schools for training and development.
Devote more time than ever on staffing and recruitment.
Hiring HVAC technicians
Hiring HVAC techs can feel exhausting and expensive, especially when competing with other HVAC companies for top talent. But ServiceTitan field management software makes hiring easier, and helps small HVAC companies compete with established businesses. Additionally, ServiceTitan’s list of HVAC interview questions helps companies hire the right candidate.
HVAC companies also recognize that women and minorities represent a previously untapped source to fill open HVAC jobs, and now actively recruit them. Today, only 4.8 percent of HVAC-R techs and 32.1 percent are Black or African American.
Johnson Controls, a global healthy-buildings giant, ranks among Forbes’ best employers list for 2021, and it’s no accident. The company prioritizes workforce diversity, as well as the health and well-being of employees.
Tommy Mello, owner of A1 Garage Doors in Phoenix and host of the weekly podcast, “The Home Service Expert,” invests heavily in his employees through extensive training, and by offering performance pay as an incentive to help employees grow. He also gives a $1,500 bonus to employees for referring a new hire.
“Some people say, ‘always be closing,’” Mello says. “I say, ‘always be recruiting.'
ServiceTitan’s payroll software automates the process and takes the surprise out of complicated incentive pay structures, satisfying highly productive employees who may consider a job with a competitor for better pay and more timely bonuses. Just enter your bonus structure into ServiceTitan's payroll software, and the software automatically does the rest come payday.
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