HVAC or Electrical Apprenticeship

**ChrisG316** · 02-03-2013, 09:39 PM

Hey,
I'm currently taking a couple of intro HVAC courses @ my local community college. I want to learn this trade and have previous mechanical experience. However, I want some opinions whether I should enroll in an electrical apprentice program (learn while I earn) or continue to try to find a position as an HVAC helper (just starting out). I can likely continue taking HVAC classes as my schedule permits. Is it more advantageous to learn electrical first? I eventually (years from now) want to have my own small business doing electrical and hvac. Any thoughts? Thx

**jhunter97** · 02-03-2013, 10:13 PM

All I can tell you is you'll learn more about electrical work in HVAC field then you'll learn about HVAC in the electrical field.

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**carmon** · 02-03-2013, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by jhunter97

All I can tell you is you'll learn more about electrical work in HVAC field then you'll learn about HVAC in the electrical field.

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very true......

**air1** · 02-03-2013, 10:37 PM

I know of some electricians making over 100K per year. I don't know any hvac guys making that much.

**MechanicallyInclined** · 02-04-2013, 12:32 AM

I've never met an Electrician making anywhere near $100K/Yr. I've never met a Union Electrician making more than a Union HVACR Tech. Maybe, and it's stretch, a Union Electrician might make more than a non-Union HVACR Tech.

**syndicated** · 02-04-2013, 01:08 AM

Around here journeyman electricians are at about 28-35/hr
Refrigeration/AC guys are about 40-48/hr, both non-union.
Easy to get around 100k w/ overtime, plus you're not bending conduit and pulling wire all day.

**MechanicallyInclined** · 02-04-2013, 01:46 AM

Are you saying both Electricians and HVACR Techs in your area make over $100K/Yr.?

**moonman1** · 02-04-2013, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by air1

I know of some electricians making over 100K per year. I don't know any hvac guys making that much.

I know a bunch including myself. jhunter97 is right. I know firsthand that as long as you are eager to learn (throughout your career) and not afraid to get as many tickets as you can, move around and get as much diversified experience as you can, that down the road you will be able to pretty much write your own ticket (command your salary relative to the market). Once you've proven well in the field then poject management and general management will be an option sooner or later.

**air1** · 02-04-2013, 01:57 AM

Union represented Linemen working for the utilities can make over 100K. HVAC guys in this area top out at 70K. Union service techs in the fitters union will make 80K with overtime.

**MechanicallyInclined** · 02-04-2013, 02:12 AM

That sounds real good. Here Union SJm Electricians are $13/Hr less than Union SJm HVACR Techs. I don't know about any electrical utilities lineman though. Do you work for SBT?

**BeastingBen** · 11-01-2014, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by air1

I know of some electricians making over 100K per year. I don't know any hvac guys making that much.

Well I do. Every single journeyman in Seattle is making at least 110k a year. And they work as much as they want. As for the electricians, they seem to be on the bench unless the construction is booming