A further problem is that fewer job seekers today consider careers in HVAC work, as well as other skilled trades. HVAC companies need to recruit new technicians to bridge the gap.

It is estimated that the HVAC industry will add about 15,000 new jobs over the next eight years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Skilled HVAC professionals are clearly in demand, whether they are employed by small businesses or large corporations.

Over the past two decades, a variety of factors have contributed to the current HVAC tech shortage:

• HVAC technicians are retiring at a faster rate than they are being replaced by new recruits.
• Shop classes are no longer offered at many schools, reducing the pool of future workers.
• HVAC systems that are green and smart require more advanced training.
• Students are increasingly attending four-year colleges rather than trade schools due to a societal shift.

As of today, 44 million Americans owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student loans, while those in HVAC training get paid on the job. A journeyman HVAC technician can earn a good living without accumulating student loan debt. Thousands of HVAC technician jobs remain unfilled in residential, commercial, and industrial settings in 2021.

What types of HVAC tech jobs are available?

A career as an HVAC/HVACR technician provides an opportunity to work in a fast-growing industry with endless advancement opportunities. HVAC positions offer competitive pay, job security, and the freedom to write your own job description.

HVAC technicians appreciate their careers for the following reasons:

• Apprentice HVAC technicians are paid full time to learn their trade.
• The BLS reports that the median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $50,590 in 2020, while the highest 10 percent made more than $80,000.
• Jobs for HVAC technicians are plentiful, and the job outlook is good.
• HVAC technicians enjoy working with their hands.
• HVAC technicians enjoy working outside the office environment.
• Helping people is something they enjoy.

Mechanics, HVAC installers, maintenance technicians, service technicians, and refrigeration specialists all fall into the category of HVAC-R technicians, where “R” stands for refrigeration.

Among the settings where HVAC technicians work are factories, hospitals, and medical offices, high-rises, schools, and apartments. Air conditioners, air conditioning systems, chillers, compressors, and heat pumps are among the equipment they install and service. Besides troubleshooting problems and offering solutions, HVAC technicians provide consultations for real estate sales as well as specialize in green technology.

HVAC techs shouldn’t be claustrophobic, since some work occurs in crawl spaces. In addition, job sites can be extremely hot, especially when a customer loses heat or air conditioning.

High demand fans HVAC technician salaries

The shortage of technicians will give entry-level employees unprecedented opportunities for training and advancement.

HVAC technician salaries vary from state to state. Alaska, for example, has the highest starting salary for entry-level techs, earning $51,200, while Arkansas comes in last with $41,200. The average salary of supervisors in Alaska is $92,900, and the average salary of supervisors in Arkansas is $72,700.

Each state has its own cost of living. Due to the high demand for HVAC jobs, techs can earn a good living anywhere in the country.

How to become an HVAC technician

State-by-state, HVAC licensing requirements vary greatly. HVAC licenses and certifications may be governed by state laws or local laws. The state of Indiana, for example, does not require HVAC licensing, but cities like Indianapolis and Evansville do. For more information on licensing requirements, check out our state-by-state HVAC licensing guide.

A career in HVAC can take many forms. To start the process, you usually need a high school diploma or GED and a background check.

Becoming an HVAC apprentice is the first step. Many HVAC employers train their apprentices on the job, while some potential HVAC apprentices prefer to gain experience at one of the many technical and trade schools across the country.

HVAC apprentices can become journeymen HVAC license holders once they have gained enough experience. Apprenticeship and a journeyman HVAC exam are required in most states before obtaining a journeyman license.

Journeymen HVAC technicians can become master technicians after serving as journeymen for a certain number of years (usually four years).

Most states require HVAC contractors to carry liability insurance and hire at least one master HVAC technician. HVAC technicians can also obtain specialty certifications to learn additional skills and earn more money.

HVAC technician jobs offer real job security

Consider working as an HVAC technician if you want a stable career. Several studies project HVAC industry growth to be even higher in the next decade, according to the BLS.

Building booms across the country and a labor shortage make finding qualified HVAC technicians challenging. For those willing to work and study, the HVAC industry offered higher wages, better benefits, and on-the-job training.

Moreover, today’s new construction calls for more green technology and smart electronics than ever before, especially in medical and educational settings. HVAC companies with the right HVAC technicians will have more opportunities.

HVAC companies retool

Many HVAC companies in North America are short-staffed, unable to bid on high-dollar jobs, and competing with other local businesses due to a widespread misconception that skilled trades offer lower pay and fewer job prospects than a college degree.

As a result of the labor shortage, the construction industry and HVAC companies are now striving to:

• Inform the public about the benefits of working in the trades.
• Recruit top talent and new recruits by offering key benefits.
• Work with trade schools to train and develop new recruits.
• Invest more time in staffing and recruitment.

Hiring HVAC technicians

When competing with other HVAC companies for top talent, hiring HVAC techs can feel exhausting and expensive. Small HVAC companies can compete with established businesses by using SAWIN Service Automation field management software.

In addition, HVAC companies are now actively recruiting women and minorities to fill open HVAC positions, a previously untapped source of talent. There are only 4.8 percent black and 32.1 percent african-american HVAC-R techs today.

SAWIN’s payroll software automates the process and eliminates the surprise of complicated incentive pay structures, satiating highly productive employees who may consider switching to a competitor for better pay and more timely bonuses. SAWIN’s payroll software automatically calculates your bonus structure when payday comes. All you have to do is enter your bonus structure.