Read it and (potentially) weep-PPA 2020 Wage Survey Results.

STEVEusaPA

Here's the results of a wage survey by the PPA. Wages, benefits seem low.
A little too low to attract people coming out of high school, considering you can almost get the same wages/benefits after a year at a local convenience store chain in my area (Wawa).
More importantly, the top wages seem to plateau fairly low for people (top techs) that gain and earn so much experience and training and tools.
Luckily I work for myself.
How do the techs that are employees match up with the report? I'm hoping it's off on the low side.

Wage and Benefit Survey-2020

EBEBRATT-Ed

Looks low to me.

Workers at the corner store here make close to $20. HVAC technicians who can do it all are $35 and up

Ironman

VA, like PA, can vary greatly from a metropolitan to a rural area.

We're in a more rural area and the cost of living is significantly less here (particularly housing), than it would be for the NVA, DC area. My house would be worth 2.5 to 3 times as much up there. But, who in their right mind would wanna live there?

HVACNUT

I almost fell on the floor. Southeast techs make the most in PA and I'd still be on the bread line and shacking up at the Y on Long  Island. I hope those figures are low. Maybe Western PA (Not enough responses to report) threw off the curve. 

Zman

You have to remember that to many people, the "maintenance engineer" is an HVAC tech (when he is not taking out the trash or patching drywall).
I seriously doubt this data was vetted at all...

hot_rod

Wages in PA

STEVEusaPA

@Zman My understanding (and how I came to take the survey and receive the results), the survey was only sent to owners of heating oil companies in PA who are members of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association.
I do think they are reported a little low, if all companies didn’t respond, as I know two oil companies in Philly that are union and pay higher wages, benefits to drivers and techs.
The report didn’t seem to include (nor did they ask) about sales bonuses to techs, nor did it consider smaller companies who pay drivers wages plus something per gallon delivered.

Remember these are heating oil companies surveyed and not large HVAC only companies.

@HVACNUT Western PA includes Pittsburgh so I was surprised at their wages.

dopey27177

very interesting.

Boynton Beach. Florida

Contractors that do not offer service contracts for A/C, appliances plumbing and electrical charge $100.00 per hour and pay out about $27.00 per hour with various benefit packages.

jake

Solid_Fuel_Man

I need to move! 

I have several (Maine) master's licences. And over 15 years experience in the HVAC field, with a previous master's in Automotive Service. 

I hope to one day make $27/ hour. I'm the highest paid tech at my company. 

unclejohn

Beats the $2.50 I started at.

Solid_Fuel_Man

I started at $5.50

tim smith

I always find the pay structure interesting, it always needs to be correlated to the cost of living in the area. Top techs here can be 40 to 50 hr + benefits. We also have a co paid retirement plan. But, kicker is home prices are quite high, what might be 200k in PA would probably be 800k Plus here.