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by the numbers you gave you should be making $102,960.00
which should not be bad in florida?

Originally Posted by Nh3 Refrigeration Tech

I've worked in the Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Field my whole life. I've had a Boiler Operator's License, RETA CIRO License, and have worked on Chillers for many years and I dont make 6 figures. Wish I knew where to go to make 6 figures though.

you must not pay very much tax where you live?

Originally Posted by Nh3 Refrigeration Tech

I've worked as a Residential HVAC Technician when I first entered this industry, and I didnt make very much. Now I work as an Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Technician and make above $36.00 an hour. So I'd say in order. Residential HVAC Tech ($) > Light Commercial / Commercial HVAC Technician ($$) > Industrial Ammonia Technician ($$$). That's about right.

I'm not a contractor, I am an employee that works at a Food Distribution Plant and I run their Ammonia Refrigerated System, I dont go from job to job. I work 50+ hours a week plus the occasional call in. So the $100/hour or the $80/hour like mentioned above, I'm not sure how much of the $100 or $80 the Technician gets paid and how much of that goes towards cost of materials, the actually contracting company or anything else, but at the end of each week I bring home a solid $1,400+ depending on call-ins. I hope that this helps to answer your question.

Thanks,
-Chris

Originally Posted by flange

well rounded guys who can do varied work usually earn the most in their respective path. my heavy commercial guys who do chillers, boilers, vfd's and the like never make under six figures.

I've worked in the Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Field my whole life. I've had a Boiler Operator's License, RETA CIRO License, and have worked on Chillers for many years and I dont make 6 figures. Wish I knew where to go to make 6 figures though.

I've worked as a Residential HVAC Technician when I first entered this industry, and I didnt make very much. Now I work as an Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Technician and make above $36.00 an hour. So I'd say in order. Residential HVAC Tech ($) > Light Commercial / Commercial HVAC Technician ($$) > Industrial Ammonia Technician ($$$). That's about right.

I'm not a contractor, I am an employee that works at a Food Distribution Plant and I run their Ammonia Refrigerated System, I dont go from job to job. I work 50+ hours a week plus the occasional call in. So the $100/hour or the $80/hour like mentioned above, I'm not sure how much of the $100 or $80 the Technician gets paid and how much of that goes towards cost of materials, the actually contracting company or anything else, but at the end of each week I bring home a solid $1,400+ depending on call-ins. I hope that this helps to answer your question.

Thanks,
-Chris

All high paying UA market shops are probably well over $100/Hr. bill out, but supermarkets want to only be charged at $80/Hr. on a national average!

exactly!!!!!!!!!!!

and dont forget!
most of them also buy their own refrigerant!

we do not do supermarkets but big chiller work is not what it used to be for contractor!

Originally Posted by OpenDrive

The Chemical Plants are the same way. They allow 10-20% parts markup. One major one even requires copies of your supply house reciepts, and then they negotiate the rates well below street rates. Since the number of us who do these machines is dwindling, and the number of us who will put up with their crap is small, I scratch my head as to why they still line up for the abuse. Most even demand that we leave our phones at the gate, which creates a problem for me because my phone is the way my other customers get a hold of me.

The Chemical Plants are the same way. They allow 10-20% parts markup. One major one even requires copies of your supply house reciepts, and then they negotiate the rates well below street rates. Since the number of us who do these machines is dwindling, and the number of us who will put up with their crap is small, I scratch my head as to why they still line up for the abuse. Most even demand that we leave our phones at the gate, which creates a problem for me because my phone is the way my other customers get a hold of me.

BAS is a money maker, but technically it's outside of HVACR. Engineered service is also a big money generator. I think commercial refrigeration service in supermakets is the lowest money generator. The supermarket chains tell the contractor how much they can charge them!

I agree with zw17 above. About the order of profitability. From the techs view, the large process chillers inspire more loyalty in customers and more pay for the tech. But many times, the margin doesn't justify the risk that the contractor is taking. If I screw up and destroy a 200000 rotor, the company has taken a lot of risk and put much faith in me, only for the chance to make a 15-20% margin.

low medium or high 6 figures???????????????

ofcourse cost of living may be higher than kansas??????????

Originally Posted by flange

well rounded guys who can do varied work usually earn the most in their respective path. my heavy commercial guys who do chillers, boilers, vfd's and the like never make under six figures.

well rounded guys who can do varied work usually earn the most in their respective path. my heavy commercial guys who do chillers, boilers, vfd's and the like never make under six figures.

are you saying I dont catch big fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by blitz

you two are hilarious.... john uses the big tuna fish scale, not the sunfish scale you have...

i have friends that work at air comfort in the windy city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and some on here that have worked there!

one of the other guys at work, actually our best most experienced mechanic! told me today he wants to learn controls so he can keep working!
he is 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by John Markl

HA ! Reminds me of my youth in suburban Chicago. One of our neighbors was a really swell guy named Frank "Bro" Perkis. He worked for an outfit in Chicago named "Air Comfort"...drove a green van that matched Carrier equipment.

Bro called Dad over one Sunday to look at his home furnace...we get over there, and Dad asks him: "Why don't you fix this?"....Bro scoffed: "HA! I only work on 50 tons and up".....fun times.

But, Bro ran into the same thing....by the time he was in his mid-50's, his body was shootin' him the finger, big time.....and he didn't have the medical technology available to him that we have today.....he died a jovial, but broken-down man.

Originally Posted by supertek65

do fish scales go up to 15 lbs??????????

you two are hilarious.... john uses the big tuna fish scale, not the sunfish scale you have...

do fish scales go up to 15 lbs??????????

Originally Posted by supertek65

.....but he don't lug 15 hp "pumps" around either

like this one????????


Attachment 305541

HA ! Reminds me of my youth in suburban Chicago. One of our neighbors was a really swell guy named Frank "Bro" Perkis. He worked for an outfit in Chicago named "Air Comfort"...drove a green van that matched Carrier equipment.

Bro called Dad over one Sunday to look at his home furnace...we get over there, and Dad asks him: "Why don't you fix this?"....Bro scoffed: "HA! I only work on 50 tons and up".....fun times.

But, Bro ran into the same thing....by the time he was in his mid-50's, his body was shootin' him the finger, big time.....and he didn't have the medical technology available to him that we have today.....he died a jovial, but broken-down man.

Originally Posted by georgehvac

Thanks all for the indepth replys. John-Im not hung up on pay, I just have a large family that I need to think about and plan for. I like all angles of this trade.

Based on this statement, if I were you, I'd pursue becoming an expert residential/light commercial guy....start your own company, and in time bring some of your family members into the fold.

.....but he don't lug 15 hp "pumps" around either

like this one????????


Attachment 305541

Originally Posted by supertek65

every guy I know has said!
I am working til 61!!!!!!!!!!!!!

havent seen it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dad's 76, and still working....helping me with my supermarket work, and training my nephew at the same time.....but he don't lug 15 hp "pumps" around either

every guy I know has said!
I am working til 61!!!!!!!!!!!!!

havent seen it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!