I've got 30 years exp doing commercial HVAC/R and i'm doing research on wages vs cost of living for Raleigh area to see if it would be a smart move.
So, you are saying a journeyman working on the commercial side with over 30 years EXP would get 20 bucks an hr... if lucky?
I saw a add today for 20-24 /hr for a lead residential tech +4 years exp.
Hopefully that 20 bucks is for residential work.
I am from NC. I just now (After reading your post) did a statewide search on the employment comission access.
This is about the best wage advertised i can find. and its western NC.
Very lucky if you can get $20 an hour anywhere in the state currently.
Just like real estate, HVAC seems to be about location, location location.
hope this helps in some way.
Job Title: Experienced Hvac Service Technician
Starting Salary: Min: $14.00 / Hour Max: $18.00 / Hour
Additional Salary Details: Pay Period:
Type of Employment: Full-Time
Number of Positions: 1 Minimum Work Experience: 36 months
Drug Test Required: Y
Benefits: Paid Vacation Work Schedule: 8am to 5pm, m-f, some sat
Shift: FIRST % Travel: 0
Additional Information: RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT COMMERCIAL HVAC SERVICE TECHNICIAN. MUST BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE, REPAIR &/OR CHANGE OUT HEAT PUMPS, AIR CONDITIONERS, FURNACES, & DUAL SYSTEMS. MUST ALSO BE FAMILIAR WITH DUCT WORK INSTALLATION & REPAIR. MUST HAVE VALID DRIVERS LICENSE AND CURRENT EPA CARD. RANDOM DRUG TESTS.REFERENCES CHECKED.
Background Check Required: Y
Open Until: 1/18/2013
That sounds about right for resi light commercial work. What state has the highest pay scale when you where researching this??
According to BLS (labor statistics). West coast areas seem to be the forecasted hotspots through 2018. Also some areas of southern states.
Washington state and Oregon state seem to be touting pretty impressive start wages as well for those with three or more years experience in hvac related fields.
However , that's just a forecast. I myself would be bottom of totem pole up until at least 2018 anyway and in any geographical location. Therefore i do not qualify for the higher wages in hvac just yet.
The wife and i travel and work full time in various construction fields and stay signed up with many job services across the country. Seems like we look at lots of jobs and wage statistics in the course of our travels.
However, be as NC. Is our home base its the land of the minimum wage for everything.
Hope this helps.
so far, I have read about light commercial / residential. any journeymen commercial guys wana chime in?
Here in the Portland area of Oregon were making over 30 bucks an hr. and you can find a 3 bedroom apartment for around 1000 in a nice part of town.
again, I'm talking journeyman commercial hvac. not a 5 year guy, or residential.
I work in the Raleigh area. Here you will find the busiest companies, most wealthy customer base, and highest wages in the state. Hell, I drive from 45 minutes to work everyday simply because the pay is so low where I live, and I don't live in a small town. Raleigh, Durham, Cary just pays much better.
We don't have any unions here, so the term journeyman doesn't mean much. An experienced lead commercial technician could expect 20-25+/hr.
Industrial seems to do well, hospitals, laboratories, and pharmaceutics pay well.
Brady-trane seems to be the most known high paying company around here.
I use to work for Trane Hawaii many moons ago. without a doubt the best company i have ever worked for.
Brady Trane definitely pays over $30.00 dollars an Hour and easily to $34.00 hr. It is strictly commercial, industrial and institutional work. They are currently hiring NOW. Residential experience will not get you an interview. Seems that chiller experience is a must.
Thanks, I would love to work for Trane again, but at my age, I don't feel I'm at the top of my game anymore. Trane only hires the best of the best. that's no longer me sadly.
Still, good to know what the pay is.
Thank you.