How Much

[Smokeyblack1]

Whats the base pay for an Hvac tech?

[KB Cool]

Depends on how much experience you have and if your any good at it.

[dlove]

NAAAAaaaa it how much they will pay..or how much you can charge, or how much you will settle for. Oh yeah experience helps for sure.

[marter]

its a wide range. maybe $12 a hour to start, maybe more or less depending on where you are.

[Smokeyblack1]

Im in the southeastern states. Does Epa or NATE certifications help?

[MechanicallyInclined]

Honestly, in the Miami area for example, is $16.25/Hr. too much to ask a "commercial and industrial AC/R company" for? Even straight out of trade school?

[Smokeyblack1]

I dont think so? How do they pay a technician.

[MechanicallyInclined]

You would think so, but I've only met Tradesmen or 1st year Apprentices in the Union making that plus benefits and fringes. First year guys working non-Union couldn't get near that without benefits! Go figure and non-Union guys entering the trade pay for their own schooling.

[Smokeyblack1]

I have a bad feeling about joining the union. Down here in GA the government pays for your schoolin and throws you extra money in your pockets. No loans. Thats what im currently doing.

[MechanicallyInclined]

Work non-Union - making less money, have to pay for insurance premiums, have to pay for your own retirement, have pay for instruments, have to be on-call for free, have to pay for uniforms, etc.

[Smokeyblack1]

Whats the catch or cons?

[MechanicallyInclined]

Only con I've run into is not enough signatory companies. El Paso only has 3 and Albuquerque isn't much better only 7.

[Smokeyblack1]

Personally I think union job is usually what see up in the northern states. Down here in the south you will be messed up because of so many compotition