PLUMBING vs HVAC | Which Job Pays Better?

PLUMBING vs HVAC | Which Job Pays Better?

Ever wondered who earns more, plumbers or HVAC techs? Jon from Rescue Air and I, peel back the layers on what plumbers and HVAC technicians can realistically expect to earn in their careers. Whether you're contemplating a career move into the trades or you're already navigating the world of plumbing or HVAC and looking to maximize your earning potential, this discussion is packed with valuable insights. Join Jon Wren and I as we compare wages, discuss the factors influencing earnings in each field, and provide tips for those interested in boosting their income within these vital industries.

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Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, The Expert Plumber, and welcome to my channel. On this channel, it's ALL about plumbing. We play games, we experiment, and we have FUN here, talking and learning about all things plumbing!
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[charlesking]

Guys getting into the trades all ask what makes the most. The reality is plumbers, electrians, hvac techs all make about the same. Plumbers live in the same neighborhoods as hvac techs. So pick one and stick with it. Learn as much as you can about your trade, and you'll always have a job and rewarding career. Once you have the skills the money will follow.

[mastertech.hvacr]

I’ve been in the HVAC/R field since 1996, I’m now 43. Also a proud member of the UA. As a manager/estimating manager. I out sell the HVAC guys. It’s so hard to fill the job. A lot of Fitters I know tell there kids to go HVAC/R. If your pulling you weight you can get well over rate, plus weeks of PTO.
Well over 150k plus fringes.

[falloutpictures]

I have a couple of friends that got into HVAC. Once started in his mid 40's and wanted a change from a desk job and his regret was that he did not start sooner, the other one started in his mid 30's and 10 years later starting his own business.

[DaveWoodcock-uz]

Spent 40 years as a UA member all with the same company doing commercial HVAC. Worked on every type of equipment out there. (chillers, boilers, air handlers, package equipment, pumps, cooling towers...) Transitioned into building automation the last 20 years in the trade. Working for a company that is willing to spend their money to train you and your willingness to spend the time to learn is the key to a long, successful and enjoyable career. Enjoying retirement now with a nice pension.

[CommercialGasEngineerVideos]

UK plumber in the house. Find commercial gas can be a good spot to be in. Yet it leads to HVAC. Interesting discussion

[dope]

As a guy who worked for both residential and commercial HVAC companies. I can tell you it ain’t what they tell you. Especially if you’re a young man with no experience at all. I’ve worked with people who refuse to teach me or even discourage me to continue learning. They treat you like you’re dumb. The last company I worked for just hired me for the summer season later let me go. Even tho I put in all my hard work.I decided to quit the trade since i couldn’t find a job.

[chris]

I’m an HVAC contractor and work for myself. I’m also a professional firefighter and work for a municipal fire department every third day. The upside of that is I get a steady paycheck and benefits from the fire department. I work my AC business on my days off. The downside of that is I miss some work when I’m at the fire department. I always keep in mind it’s a trade off for guys like me. Companies don’t want me because of my every third day 24 hour shift, but that’s okay I have been doing it for years. I work with other contractors like myself on larger jobs but service and repair and changing out existing equipment is my niche. My advice, you can’t go wrong with a good trade, be honest and fair and will make all the money you need.

[CMark]

I'm 34 years old and been in trucking for 8 years.. For the past year I've been thinking of making a switch to possibly HVAC.. My friend runs his own plumbing company and would bring me on but I'm in PA and he's in NC. He started as an apprentice at 15/hr and he worked for companies for 7 years. His last payroll. Job was paying him 65/hr. He has now been running his own company for 4 years and has 6 guys working for him... I've been going back and forth between the two (or possibly an electrician)... But I've honestly been looking at getting into HVAC since I've started working on my furnace. I just want a change of scenery and I honestly want to be in a field that allows me to possibly start my own company with minimal overhead or at the bare minimum work side jobs - I can't do that in trucking! Not to mention, in my opinion - given the fact trucking is the backbone of America, we 1000% are not paid enough! I don't even know what an 8 hr day looks like anymore so putting in long hours is nothing to me.. I just have to find a decent company to take me on. In this economy, I'm also kind of nervous taking a pay cut. I would imagine thrift the apprentice you go up in pay though, right? Idk... Maybe somebody can help me out and give me a push. I've been wanting to do it but I just haven't pulled the trigger.

Also, are these top figures y'all are throwing out from people that own their own business or payroll employees?

[patrickmiao]

When getting into the trades, I really recommend that you go into the trade you like as opposed to the one that pays the most. They all pay well with maybe a two or three dollar per hour difference (I live in NYC and am a Union Civil service carpenter). The key is liking what you do and trying to improve. I like carpentry but when I started my career, I tried to get into electrical at first. Didn't like it as much as carpentry so I changed careers. I still love carpentry after 35 years. I am getting very close to retirement now, have a great pension coming as well as a great 401k nest egg to fall back on. I plan on traveling the world until I get sick of it.

[meditations]

Thanks to u Roger I been a plumber apprentice for 6 months now.

[Thezwang]

I did the 4 year college thing, graduated and went into the normal office job. Everytime I change a job, I think about looking into a trade. Everytime I do any kind of manual labor, I feel more fulfilled, sleep better at night with a smile on my face, and just seem to wake up excited at the prospect of doing it again. With that said, I never know what trade to consider. How can I decide what trade to consider and look at for trying to either go to trade school or pursue further?

[srharris]

This model turns the hvac and plumber technicians into salesmen, no longer techs. Which makes sense business wise, but the homeowner gets screwed. The model pushes replace not repair.

[Droiduxx]

Starting my apprenticeship at 25, I think one thing people should be aware of is although plumbing hires a lot, it might NOT be easy to find a company that wants to teach you. I applied to more than 50 companies before one of these called me back.

[ant.]

I’ve been doing property maintenance for 9 years. I make around 34 hour, but I’m by myself 90% of the time. Thinking about going into plumbing or hvac.

[shakishingi]

I've been plumbing around 4 years in Ontario canada and still haven't been signed into the apprenticeship program. It's frustrating

[realSamAndrew]

Saying a salesperson is "in the trades" is exaggerating. They are in a trades industry, but not in the trades. A receptionist or an accountant for a plumbing company could do the same job at any company.

If you have a pharmaceutical rep, ie "salesperson", you don't say they went into medicine or the medical field. They are in the sales profession and happen to be selling for a company that makes drugs.

[patrickwhite]

Don’t forget The R in HVAC/R. Commercial work is extensive and the on call schedule can be hell.

[JamieHitt]

I many locales, the plumbing companies have absorbed HVAC under their roofs. You want a furnace, you call a plumbing company. And, of course, A/C is along for the ride. It's only the bigger municipalities where HVAC can stand on their own. Reputation has a lot to do with it as well. Smith & Sons Heating and Plumbing, for example. "Serving the area with pride since 1978." That kind of thing.

And I'm sorry. But a lot of stand alone HVAC companies have reputaions as shysters and rip-off artists. On par with water treatment dealers and used car salesmen. And let's be honest here. HVAC is just the natural evolution from plumbing. Just another set of appliances to be installed, maintained, and repaired.

You have to look at not just from the perspective of from the perspective of plumbing contractor/plumbing company. Business is business.

[jacobbowling]

Hi Roger it’s been a while since I’ve watched a video of yours I hope you’re well and I hope you take care of yourself your videos are awesome.

[jakejohn]

Those high-end earners, are those business owners or like specialized plumbers/Hvac techs?