how much do entry level hvac helpers make?

[CallmeNewbie]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this website. I just got my EPA universal certification from my tech. school. My teacher said i can start with an assistant helper or such. I have much to learn and i love doing air conditioning work, its so interesting and how much we take A/C for granted. However, how much do you think that entry level helpers make? I live in the dc metro area in VA.

Thanks again and i hope i can learn alot from you guys and girls here

[clifpaul]

Expect low pay unless you are union.

[clifpaul]

And welcome to the site. You can learn a lot here

[CallmeNewbie]

Thanks again! But say 13-17 an hour do you think thats possible?

[clifpaul]

If you can find the right shop. Depends on where you're at.

[heatingman]

Thanks again! But say 13-17 an hour do you think thats possible?

Likely closer to $13.00

But don't get hung up on it. If you can find a job, take it. Learn everything you can, and use the experience as leverage for more money when you can make the case that you are making the company money.

[RWILS107]

Yea, Im from DC. I started at a small company at $13 an hour. Look for a company, if you're not going union, that participates in the ACCA program. They have wage increase guidelines and you come up pretty quick, not to mention you learn a lot. I started in... 05 when i was 21. I mean, make sure your driver's license is good and everything. Oh yea, if youre in Northern Va, you will probably work for a company that does some work in Md too. You can get your Md Apprentice License for pretty $20 cheap at dllr.org. It would look good to add to yo creds. Good luck!

[valdelocc]

around here commercial, non-union, belts and filters changers start at $16-$18hr. plus benefits. residential pays less

[OBogue]

Here in SD, a tech school grad can start between 12 and 14 per hour, and if he's a quick learner with a good attitude he can increase that wage rapidly.

[CallmeNewbie]

Nice but i applied to M.E. Flow i think they're residential, but i wish i get it because i want to start asap :P

[acm1ke]

I made 10 bucks an hour about 5 years ago... with ot.. Now that the economy is screwed.. Not much folks....


A bad , I mean a bad time to be a green horn in HVAC.. No commercial, very little new construction, and to be in residential, you have to have a clue... LOL the car salesmen are getting caught...!!!

[Lightning_Boy]

I started out at $8.00 hr. busted my ass for a month got a raise to
$10/hr and sent to a 4 week crash course in Hvac. After that I was put into
A service truck as a maintenance tech. It paid 8/hr + 15% commission. It
Sucked big time. I ended up being the guy to fix installers mistakes, fix sales f ups
From the Ac manager and generally be the company troubleshooter.

Expect 8-12hr you are a grunt and will be treated like such until you
Prove to be an asset to the company.

[techbill11]

I started out at 13 and quickly 90 days went to 14.It depends on where you are at.Also do not just look at the money because if the company you work for has a bad reputation that will follow you.There are companies that will not hire you fresh from a known bad company.