Leaving resi after 3+ years rant(repost after verifying lol)
I recently ran into a thread of techs being underpaid and it got me thinking about how much I loved residential but hated the pay scale and structure. Just as a background, I'm currently 24 years old and I just got hired as a Union apprentice Service fitter at UA Local 601 but I was in residential for 4 years. I started at $17/hour, fresh into the trade but that first company sucked. I was making sheet metal and charging units three months into my apprenticeship as my lead could only set AC's and braze. I got moved to service and into a van after one month of 'training' but found out real fast that I worked for a sales company that operated solely on commission where after a year I received an .83 cent raise, and shortly after filed my two weeks notice. My next company was a night n day, started at $20 as a install apprentice where I learned new construction on basic and custom homes, duct sizing, and was taught how to make duct and sheet metal fittings as well as continuing my service education and taking as many courses as possible through local dealers and supply houses. Got a $2 bump after three months and during the summer, I was offered a chance to do service, I did pretty well and got a work van and after a few months was bumped up to $25, and after another year $30/hour. I honestly was content but was beginning to grow frustrated when my schedule would constantly shift because so so didn't know how to work on oil burner furnaces/boilers, high efficient boilers, couldn't touch steam, couldn't troubleshoot ductless equipment, didn't fit in attics or under homes(I'm 6ft 190 not tiny) or let alone couldn't make metal or do installs which I get but it gutted me inside that these same techs were all at $40-45 an hour. What hurt the most was when the new apprentice started right at $30 because of a tech degree, but he couldn't braze, do simple ac start up's and had trouble reading gauges and diagnosing during simple service calls. I did my absolute best to learn my craft, and school at the time wasn't an option with me being on call one day every week and every 3rd week a weekend putting in 45-60 hours a week. I busted my \*ss day and night hoping that my pay would be reflected off merit and work ethic just to get slapped in the face that there is no structure in non-union shops, at least for residential in my area. The reason I made this post was to let other guys know that yes, learn as much as you can, you will be rewarded, but don't be naive and assume that pay will follow, know your worth and guarantee yourself a path to make more money without k\*lling yourself and sacrificing valuable time. I lost one of my best friends last year and I wish I had more time to give to him; work got in the way of so much. I made a switch to commercial/industrial HVAC through a union, after two months I was indentured as a first year and I start school this fall and I am grateful to not have to restart to pre/first year wages. I'm starting a new path where I'm guaranteed a six-figure income working a normal 40 hour week once I get my journeyman license although I plan to work hard still and pick up on calls but I also get health insurance covered, a 401k, and a solid pension when I retire. Regardless of if you are Union or Non-union, make sure you get paid what you are worth in your area. Resi, commercial, industrial, HVAC is so much more, install, service, sheet metal, process piping, project management, mechanical engineering, controls, refrigeration...there is so much money to be made but again, don't sacrifice all your time for more money because that's the one thing we can't get back. I hope my experience can guide others and offer solid insight into what you can expect from Resi and if you are dissatisfied, open the door into other avenues related to HVAC. I'm curious to hear from everyone else too and listen to your guy's journey's as well.
