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The short and sweet (and my experience being employed in central NC)

If they are not willing to pay for your current value, they will not. Ever.

Yes, some employers are hesitant to pay your asking value when you start. After a relatively short introductory/probationary period they may increase your pay.

Who is to say that after a review that they bring you more in line with what you're asking? "You've done great, unfortunately we top out our PM techs at XX an hour, that is the best we can offer you." "We can offer you a service position but it only starts at $XX"

If they're a national outfit they will look purely at metrics and I'm sure they track everything. Are you billing out $XX per day, is your gross profit over $XX in a year? If you're making them more money than the next guy, they will pay you more. Frankly, some of that comes with a level of dishonesty.

Most often, employers will offer you the world and deliver next to nothing. Don't think that you can't advance and learn in your current position. Take online courses, courses at your local college and distributors. If your current employer doesn't offer professional development, seek it on your own time. I really like that you're hungry to advance and learn but it doesn't take a pay cut to do that. No, money isn't everything but if you've worked this hard to get a certain value from a company that is willing to pay it, don't backtrack.

I think maybe look at some other companies and talk with them. Get some interviewing experience and get an idea what they are looking for. What I'm afraid of is you'll become more service at $15 an hour and they will "use you" and promise the world and deliver nothing.
I don't know your skill set but $15 is low, maybe $18-20 to start but $15

There is a lot to look at, and you did not provide much detail. But there are several questions I would be asking and possibly several comeback offers I would make. If he/they really think you're worth something they will work with you. ( great advise: Go apply for a union apprenticship position)

Maybe you already have these answers but I'd be asking: Do they work 40 hours per week, all year? are lay offs common? yes, how long? Paid by flat rate or by the job? If you go to work for them just how are they going to assess your skills and abilities? You said they think you are at an in between skill and experience level; just what are they going to do and how are they going to meassure you ability to learn, understand and improve your skills. How do you get the training you'll need, who pays for it? Are they going to put you to work as a pm tech? Are they going to give you some training to get your skills and abilities to what they believe a service tech needs to know. Are they going to have you ride along with and experienced service tech?

Especially when you have a secure job (as secure as they get these days) for a higher rate, I'd hate to see you take a job with a huge pay cut, then they put you to work as PM Tech. Then in 90 days say you make a great PM tech that's where we are going to leave you. There are other way you can improve your knowledge and skills beside taking a $6 / hr pay cut.

90 days is not that long. As a former owner, foreman, superintendent, trainer in 90 days I'm just figuring out what your work ethic is, you ability to stay on task, to meet deadlines, your ability to work with customers, willingness to help with all aspects of the job, what training you need, what bad training you've had that needs to be corrected. Maybe this is what they are telling you!

I really hate to see anyone take a step backwards in pay. I have done it because if I did not my job would have gone away (laid off, reduction in force), yes I have learned some new skills, rarely do you gain back what you have lost. I would rather be under-employed than not employed. Do the math $6 over a 90 period is about $3000, If they move you back to $21 /hr what have you gained (0). If they move you to $25 / hr it's 6 to 9 months to earn the $3000 back.

I'm not saying don't do it but from what you have provided a whole lot more information is needed before I could say OK, Good Luck

Lets take a different approach. What is your status financially? Can you afford the cut for a while? Did you go to HVAC school and take this job when you graduated? This is why I always tell young graduates to be careful taking on this position because you get stuck. Many comments above were correct. If you can get into a union as an apprentice then that's the best option but not always that easy. Someone said 15.00 an hour was fast food money. That's funny. It rally all depends on you and your situation. Now as far as the company goes I would do a little more research to make sure they are legit in there promises. If you think your skills qualify you as a 21.00 an hour tech then maybe you should continue to look. Good luck in whatever you decide. As stated above 6.00 an hour is going to be missed.

Don't change jobs, take some classes while earning $21 and then go test the water. I know experience is what pays but $15 is pretty low.

Only if you're very young and can afford it; always an unlikely combination, mind you.

This trade will tear you up...best get paid for it.

Arizona Pipe Trades Apprenticeship

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That's helper wages here. I wouldn't even drive a company truck for less then $21.00/hr...Go to the local union hall and join the apprentice program...Get paid to work and get trained...If I wasn't 20+ years in and making over 100k a year that's what I would do...

"National light commercial " sounds like retail/rooftop jokey work, $15 an hour is a joke, tell him to shove it.

What would happen if you left your present job,went to this company and for whatever reason it did not work out? Would you be able to find another building engineer job at the 21 per hour easily?

Could you find an experienced one man shop and ride with him on the weekend when he works on larger equipment so you gain experience?

How long until this new company bumps you up in pay and how much?

I would pass $15 an hours is fast food worker wages. Are you unhappy being a building engineer? How about moving to a critical environment engineer. Or better yet find your nearest UA local and get a nice union job? http://www.ua.org/locals We start 1st year apprentices at $24 plus full benefits. High wage, paid training, paid health care, paid retirement sounds good to me

Sounds like a risk, but you'll have the potential to earn a lot more than you are now. If the risk is worth it to you, then go for it.

Do the math. $6 per hour less money is $240 per week- if everything worked out and they gave you the stars and the Moon raise- how much time would it take to get to the break-even point? If you like doing the HVAC work better so be it but it's going to cost you. No guarantees and all jobs are temporary. Best of luck please keep us informed

I never encourage someone to take a lower paying job. Bad planning or a weak economy cause Mechanics to work into their late 60s or even their 70s.

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Although 15 seems slightly low for a pm tech it's not too far off. We all gotta start somewhere.

Why didn't you want to stay in your field as a building engineer and build your value as an employee? Taking a $6/hour cut is rough, but if you want to learn more, that's great.

In my opinion, that's not the way you do it, but I suppose in your situation is different since building engineering doesn't necessarily translate as HVAC technician. Ideally, you want to increase your value as a technician. If you're good at what you do, you should get paid more for it. For example, I was going to go from residential to a large commercial company, they wanted to pay me $3/hour more than I was earning. Went to my boss to tell him bye, but he countered with $7/hour more, plus unlimited classes, paying me to get my licenses, and working with me to build my own company. Granted I'm not doing any more commercial work than I was doing before, but I'm earning a lot more while increasing my skillset in a different way.

Thats rough, hopefully they'll get you around what you use to make after you prove yourself. I like companies that offer flat rate pay, everyone makes the same and it's ultimately up to you how much you make.


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Along with a raise. However I did not ask how much they paid there service techs. The job posting said it was between 25-35 an hour

Yes. If I can continue to prove that I have the skills to pm a system correctly and find any hidden issues then I will move up to becoming service tech within 90 days

I guess you will need to show yours skills in a timely fashion. Does that quarantee a raise?