Are you contemplating an HVAC apprenticeship but have no clue how or where to take your first steps?
Below, we discuss the answers to a few common questions on HVAC apprenticeships and salary information.
What is an HVAC Apprenticeship and How Does it Work?
The job of an HVAC apprentice is to study heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. This is often done while working part-time, usually while training at a certified HVAC program. However, some companies provide all training internally if their systems are diverse enough.
Sometimes apprenticeships are divided into various levels based on the participant’s existing abilities. An HVAC apprentice’s job often entails operating machinery and working below a specialist or senior-level employee.
Do You Get Paid During an HVAC Apprenticeship?
In the United States, the pay for HVAC apprentices varies. An HVAC apprentice’s opening salary can range anywhere from $0 to $10 an hour for beginners. In other regions of the US, an HVAC apprentice can earn around $18 per hour.
Often, an apprentices wage increases as they gain years of experience.
In the fifth year, some apprentices make more than $23 per hour. Union apprentices receive approximately 50% of their supervisor’s salary. Although the wages for HVAC apprentices are initially low, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re learning the trade and earning a paycheck at the same time.
Job Outlook and Salary for HVAC Apprentices
There are numerous career paths to follow within the HVAC field. Some HVAC technicians may specialize in a specific variety of equipment, such as air conditioners. Others may only specialize in installing and repairing particular systems.
HVAC technicians can work in industrial or suburban buildings.
Some technicians work as independent contractors and own their own businesses, while others work for more prominent construction companies. People who choose to follow a career in HVAC generally enjoy stable employment in the US job market.
According to the BLS, HVAC technicians’ jobs are estimated to grow by 13% between 2018 and 2028. This is faster than the average growth rate for all job areas.
The average pay for an HVAC technician in the United States is $23 an hour.
States With the Highest HVAC Apprenticeship Salaries
The pay for an HVAC apprentice varies from state to state and even city to city. To make the process of deciding where to begin your apprenticeship less daunting, we’ve created an overview of the five states with the highest potential earnings for an HVAC apprentice.
|
State |
Rate Per Year |
|---|---|
|
Rockville, Maryland |
$40,844 |
|
Sacramento, California |
$39,790 |
|
Denver, Colorado |
$38,905 |
|
Manassas, Virginia |
$37,321 |
|
Indianapolis, Indiana |
$35,600 |
Best Paying Jobs in the U.S. After an HVAC Apprenticeship
By now, you’ve completed your apprenticeship and are looking to find a job within the US that pays well, but you have no clue where to start. Look no further! Below, we’ve listed a few of the best-paying jobs to consider once you’ve completed your apprenticeship.
You should bear in mind that the average salary for an HVAC Apprenticeship is around $32,000 per year. As you can see, these specific positions have a higher than average rate. If you have adequate experience after a few years, there’s no reason you can’t aim for these.
The figure shown below are for the salaries per year:
- HVAC Sales: $127,946
- HVAC Manager: $72,515
- HVAC Superintendent (working from home): $71,580
- HVAC Manager, Services: $71,176
- HVAC Hospital (working from home): $70,458
Conclusion
It is clear that a career in the HVAC field is highly profitable and sustainable, with no shortage of work for apprentices. We hope you can complete your apprenticeship with a company/institution that is well suited to your needs.
With a lot of hard work, and a good amount of determination, you’ll be able to work as a top-class technician in no time.
People Also Ask
If you’re wondering if an apprenticeship is for you, here are a few questions with answers that might help you decide. Feel free to contact us if you have any more queries.
HVAC/R apprenticeships generally last four or five years where you can receive an increase at regular intervals, usually every year. Apprentices start with HVAC/R tasks that eventually lead to more complex assignments as time progresses.
You need a high school diploma or similar. When it comes to typical apprenticeships, you’ll need to work full-time during business hours and join classes in the evening.
Firstly, you need to supply a prospective employer with your qualifications; they may ask for you to perform a drug test too. Some jobs might ask for a valid driver’s license. Additionally, you must be willing to undertake physical work so be prepared to be fit.
There are many tasks you may be asked to undertake. Some of these include basic maintenance where you replace refrigerant, clean ducts, and service heaters and air conditioners.
If you’re aiming to take the exam for the license, you’ll need to gain a set number of hours in experience first. It’s one of the requirements besides studying.
Yes, you can earn more when applying for jobs if you’re doing an apprenticeship. The longer you work, the more chance you have of gaining an increase in pay.
