Salaries Of HVAC Service Technicians By State

Salaries Of HVAC Service Technicians By State

It’s not a bad idea to think about your earning potential from a business owner. Who knows, you might even open up a shop of your own and be signing some other guy’s income one day. From a company, whatever is an expenditure– even you. And every cost is factored into the price of a job. As far as business is concerned, your sweat and mental capacity are quantified as a per hour rate.
International metal prices can influence material expenses for things like copper piping and aluminum or galvanized steel for ductwork. Still, for one of the most part, the rate you’re paid is just subject to local market forces. In many cases, the wage union leaders can work out has some impact. Still, even then, the regional task market has a lot to do with the dominating wage paid in a provided area.

HVAC Service Techs

Put, one of the greatest things to influence what you’re going to be paid is the going rate for HVAC service techs and installers is the state you’re working in.

Fortunately is that today’s need is high for experienced HVAC tradespersons, and everyone understands need is a result that is inseparable from cost. The actual reality that there are not enough people out there that know the HVAC trade means that contracting companies and entrepreneurs are paying a premium for the understanding and ability required to get jobs done.

REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN PAY FOR HVAC TECHNICIANS

Here’s how incomes and incomes compare in different parts of the country (United States Department of Labor, 2016):.

HVAC Salary by States

  • Alabama
    • Median: $37,620 yearly ($18.09 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $58,190 yearly ($27.97 hourly)
  • Alaska
    • Median: $64,660 yearly ($31.09 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $80,290 yearly ($38.60 hourly)
  • Arizona
    • Median: $42,720 yearly ($20.54 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $64,440 yearly ($30.98 hourly)
  • Arkansas
    • Median: $35,900 yearly ($17.26 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $56,150 yearly ($27.00 hourly)
  • California
    • Median: $51,500 yearly ($24.76 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $87,940 yearly ($42.28 hourly)
  • Colorado
    • Median: $54,490 yearly ($26.20 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $77,100 yearly ($37.07 hourly)
  • Connecticut
    • Median: $54,490 yearly ($26.20 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $77,100 yearly ($37.07 hourly)
  • Delaware
    • Median: $52,100 yearly ($25.01 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $67,900 yearly ($32.64 hourly)
  • District of Columbia
    • Median: $67,250 yearly ($32.33 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $80,920 yearly ($38.90 hourly)
  • Georgia
    • Median: $42,840 yearly ($20.60 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $62,910 yearly ($30.24 hourly)
  • Hawaii
    • Median: $68,700 yearly ($33.03 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $95,780 yearly ($46.05 hourly)
  • Idaho
    • Median: $39,790 yearly ($19.13 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $59,980 yearly ($28.84 hourly)
  • Illinois
    • Median: $56,820 yearly ($27.32 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $84,990 yearly ($40.86 hourly)
  • Indiana
    • Median: $40,930 yearly ($19.68 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $71,000 yearly ($34.13 hourly)
  • Iowa
    • Median: $48,580 yearly ($23.36 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $74,240 yearly ($35.69 hourly)
  • Kansas
    • Median: $45,970 yearly ($22.10 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $74,660 yearly ($35.90 hourly)
  • Kentucky
    • Median: $39,750 yearly ($19.11 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $63,870 yearly ($30.71 hourly)
  • Louisiana
    • Median: $42,890 yearly ($20.62 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $62,280 yearly ($29.94 hourly)
  • Maine
    • Median: $45,070 yearly ($21.67 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $62,040 yearly ($29.83 hourly)
  • Maryland
    • Median: $54,380 yearly ($26.14 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $79,650 yearly ($38.29 hourly)
  • Massachusetts
    • Median: $56,060 yearly ($26.95 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $80,480 yearly ($38.69 hourly)
  • Michigan
    • Median: $46,460 yearly ($22.34 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $69,150 yearly ($33.25 hourly)
  • Minnesota
    • Median: $51,230 yearly ($24.63 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $77,030 yearly ($37.04 hourly)
  • Mississippi
    • Median: $37,240 yearly ($17.91 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $53,870 yearly ($25.90 hourly)
  • Missouri
    • Median: $46,150 yearly ($22.19 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $75,300 yearly ($36.20 hourly)
  • Montana
    • Median: $44,440 yearly ($21.36 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $69,430 yearly; $33.38 hourly
  • Nebraska
    • Median: $44,010 yearly ($21.16 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $74,120 yearly ($35.64 hourly)
  • Nevada
    • Median: $54,220 yearly ($26.07 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $74,120 yearly ($35.63 hourly)
  • New Hampshire
    • Median: $49,250 yearly ($23.68 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $66,460 yearly ($31.95 hourly)
  • New Jersey
    • Median: $56,570 yearly ($27.20 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $87,070 yearly ($41.86 hourly)
  • New Mexico
    • Median: $41,390 yearly ($19.90 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $59,980 yearly ($28.84 hourly)
  • New York
    • Median: $52,790 yearly ($25.38 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $86,590 yearly ($41.63 hourly)
  • North Carolina
    • Median: $40,320 yearly ($19.38 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $60,380 yearly ($29.03 hourly)
  • North Dakota
    • Median: $58,480 yearly ($28.12 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $85,410 yearly ($41.06 hourly)
  • Ohio
    • Median: $45,510 yearly ($21.88 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $66,110 yearly ($31.78 hourly)
  • Oklahoma
    • Median: $43,910 yearly ($21.11 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $65,960 yearly ($31.71 hourly)
  • Oregon
    • Median: $46,580 yearly ($22.39 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $74,480 yearly ($35.81 hourly)
  • Pennsylvania
    • Median: $47,390 yearly ($22.79 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $71,740 yearly ($34.49 hourly)
  • Rhode Island
    • Median: $54,370 yearly ($26.14 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $67,260 yearly ($32.34 hourly)
  • South Carolina
    • Median: $40,340 yearly ($19.40 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $59,710 yearly ($28.71 hourly)
  • South Dakota
    • Median: $44,860 yearly ($21.57 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $64,400 yearly ($30.96 hourly)
  • Tennessee
    • Median: $40,750 yearly ($19.59 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $62,370 yearly ($29.99 hourly)
  • Texas
    • Median: $41,820 yearly ($20.10 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $62,880 yearly; $30.23 hourly
  • Utah
    • Median: $46,180 yearly ($22.20 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $75,790 yearly ($36.44 hourly)
  • Vermont
    • Median: $47,830 yearly ($22.99 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $65,140 yearly ($31.32 hourly)
  • Virginia
    • Median: $47,750 yearly ($22.96 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $69,660 yearly ($33.49 hourly)
  • Washington
    • Median: $55,450 yearly ($26.66 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $86,290 yearly ($26.66 hourly)
  • West Virginia
    • Median: $34,240 yearly ($16.46 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $58,280 yearly ($28.02 hourly)
  • Wisconsin
    • Median: $47,520 yearly ($22.85 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $71,480 yearly ($34.37 hourly)
  • Wyoming
    • Median: $45,420 yearly ($21.84 hourly)
    • Top 10 percent: $64,710 yearly ($31.11 hourly)
  • Typical: $45,420 yearly ($ 21.84 per hour).
  • Leading 10 percent: $64,710 annual ($ 31.11 per hour).
  • DISTINCTION IN PAY BETWEEN SERVICE TECHS AND COMMERCIAL MECHANICS AND INSTALLERS.
    HEATING AND COOLING RETAIL SERVICE COMPANIES.
Average HVAC Technician Salary by State
HVAC

These types of businesses work with small-scale homes or business outlets to do things like system upgrades, maintenance, or repair work. They may even do some domestic installs, but in more significant housing developments, those jobs usually go to major contracting companies. Jobs with these types of shops are generally much more comfortable to land, needless experience, and specialized skills, and are less seasonally dependent, which indicates that work is often steadier.

However, chances are you’ll reach the senior level faster, which implies your HVAC salary might level off earlier and potentially at a lower rate than for guys who work with significant commercial contracting business.

INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTORS.

These types of businesses bid for HVAC contracts that can be valued in the millions. You’ll have more of a chance to become specialized in a specific area of HVAC, and over the long-term, earn a higher salary.

Nevertheless, HVAC tasks on this side of the industry more depend on seasonal construction work, and contracting businesses are generally less likely to work with unskilled HVAC techs fresh out of school.

A COMPARISON OF ANNUAL SALARIES.

You can get a sense of when and how incomes reach a ceiling by comparing the national stats for retail How To Maintain Your HVAC? And business versus what significant commercial/industrial contracting business pay (data from the United States Department of Labor, 2016):.

  • A/C installers and mechanics with building contractors.
  • Entry-level– $27,710 annually ($ 13.32 per hour).
  • Typical income– $44,370 per year ($ 21.33 per hour).
  • A wage of those in the top-10 percent– $72,320 per year ($ 34.77 per hour).
  • HEATING AND COOLING installers and mechanics with wholesale contractors.
  • Entry-level– $30,070 annually ($ 14.46 per hour).
  • Mean income– $48,730 annually ($ 23.43 per hour).
  • Salary for those in the top-10 percent– $77,160 each year ($ 37.10).
  • HVAC installers and mechanics with manufacturing specialists.
  • Entry-level– $31,740 each year ($ 15.26 per hour).
  • Typical salary– $50,380 per year ($ 24.22 per hour).
  • The wage of those in the top-10 percent– $77,880 each year ($ 37.44 per hour).
  • A/C techs with property and light industrial service stores:
  • Entry-level– $30,850 per year ($ 14.83 per hour).
  • Average income– $46,870 per year ($ 22.53 per hour).
  • Salary of those in the top-10 percent– $69,730 annually ($ 33.52 per hour).

Incomes for HVAC Techs

You can see those top incomes for techs in the industrial contracting side of the industry are in between $2,590 and $8,150 more every year (that’s in between $1.29 and $4.05 more per hour) than what guys working for residential and light commercial service stores make.

HVAC companies

Since retail HVAC companies focus on more basic repairs and upkeep, naturally they’re overall costs are much, much lower than for bigger contracting business. For these services, the workforce is always the most significant expenditure and virtually the one they consider. Labor costs can be the most significant line product on the quoted rate for large-scale tasks too, however proportionally, labor is a smaller sized expense in the world of industrial contracting than it is for smaller sized service shops.

Expense

With the first expense being the per hour wage of the HVAC techs on payroll, and with business doing everything they can to control the costs, there tends to be a lower benchmark for the more experienced guys on the upper end of the pay spectrum. This is a big reason it’s not unusual for people to go into the trade on the residential/light industrial service side of the industry, gain experience, and after that leap ship to sign up with bigger clothing later on.

YOUR PAY IS A FACTOR, NOT A VARIABLE.

When it comes to determining profits for store owners on the residential/commercial side of the industry and professionals on the market/industrial side of the business, the computations end up being a lot more complicated. There is a lot more that enters into identifying earnings than enter into determining incomes and wages for employees, though the fundamental formula is a matter of simple subtraction. Of course, what an individual contractor or contracting company takes home is simply the difference between the price that was accepted during the bidding process and the total of all expenses associated with the job. The same is true for smaller shops on the residential service side of the industry but a smaller scale.

Business Owners and contracting companies

The good news for you is that business owners and contracting companies don’t have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to what they can pay their employees. Labor competition effectively determines how low business owners and contractors can go. They can’t pay anything less than what their employees could make with another company, so it’s generally understood that there is a non-negotiable minimum associated with payroll as an expense.

So although your pay is a significant factor in the cost of running a business, it isn’t a variable since contractors can’t only decide to pay you less so they can make more.
We talked to a commercial project cost estimator that helped explain what goes into submitting a bid and how the cost of labor for everybody from installers to crane operators is factored in the right alongside material costs …

Material costs

  • ” Basically for HVAC estimating you just count up all the ductwork, pipe fittings, equipment, labor, crane use– all those factors that are involved in completely installing the HVAC system, so you don’t miss anything in your bid because everything is attached to dollars.”.
  • ” To make a good estimate, we would look at other bids we’ve done for other projects, and we would incorporate those into ours; bids for equipment, suppliers, rooftop units, VAV boxes, pumps, air inline units, exhaust fans, supply grills– things like that. For an actual HVAC bid, you’re looking at four or five or six other prices to put into your bid as well.”.
  • ” Everything would come together on a single Excel spreadsheet where we would apply our profit and overhead at the end. Also tax if you have it, permits if needed– usually always– and we ‘d come to a final number. Normally we ‘d discuss it with a team and see if we all agree on that number and make sure it sounds good for that project. Once we agreed, we ‘d send it to the general contractors.”.

If there are cost overruns, contractors often have to eat it. When you come to understand this basic principle, you’ll also come to know why your boss is such a hard-ass.

GET WHAT YOU’RE WORTH.

Since we’re talking about money here, let’s crunch some numbers … Let’s say you work full-time for 30-years with weekends off and two weeks of vacation a year. We’re making a conservative estimate here. Since we don’t want to pad the number and give an artificially inflated figure, we’re just going to call it a 40-hour workweek with no overtime …

That’s 60,300 hours of your life on the job.

From that perspective, you can see that every dollar counts. If you earned just $2-an-hour more over your career, that would mean you ‘d have an extra $120,600 in your pocket by the time you retire. That’s like saying you could have a house as your retirement bonus. And if you stick some of that into an IRA … well, let’s say it could be a lot more. We’re not in the business of providing financial projections; we want to give you an honest look at what your sweat and smarts could be worth.

  • Just because there is an established minimum for your pay doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to negotiate your salary higher.

On the commercial side of the industry where unions often dominate in many parts of the country, your union representatives handle the negotiations for you. Part of your union dues goes to paying the salaries for the reps that stick their neck out to make sure you’re getting every last dime you’re worth.

If you work on the residential/light commercial service side of the industry, then it’s up to you to go to bat for yourself if you think you’re worth more than what you’re getting. Some employers are more receptive to negotiation than others. Still, any decent business owner knows the value of a good employee and isn’t going to let a good guy walk out the door over a dollar or two an hour. Next time you’re working up the courage to walk into your boss’s office to talk about a raise, arm yourself with the confidence that comes with knowing that a smart and capable technician does a lot for the bottom line.

As far as the business is concerned, your sweat and brainpower are quantified as an hourly rate.
These types of businesses bid for HVAC contracts that can be valued in the millions. You’ll have more of a chance to become specialized in a specific area of HVAC, and over the long-term, earn a higher salary.

Because retail HVAC businesses focus on more general repairs and maintenance, of course, their overall expenses are much, much lower than for larger contracting companies. For an actual HVAC bid, you’re looking at four or five or six other prices to put into your request as well.”.