HVAC technicians are responsible for installing and maintaining a building’s heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Residents are extremely dependent on these HVAC systems for a comfortable living environment. If something goes wrong, they will need a professional for safety reasons.
With the advancement in technology and smart homes becoming more common, HVAC technicians now require even more training. This is a profession that is not very likely to go out of use, does not require a college degree, and pays higher than the national average in New York.
So if you have decided to choose this as your career, then it is a step in the right direction. This article explains everything you need to know about becoming an HVAC technician in New York.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in New York
To become an HVAC technician in New York, there are no state-level certifications needed. But each city can have its requirements. Even if it does not, a good company is not likely to hire someone with no professional certificate.
Therefore, you must start researching trade schools in your city or colleges that offer technical programs or diplomas. The company that you want to apply to might also suggest some schools that they prefer. These programs will train you for good job performance and obtaining different licenses.
Most of the time, these licenses are given by the city’s building department. The cities that require a license to become an HVAC technician in New York are listed below.
New York City
- Refrigeration Operating Engineer by New York Fire Department. It requires renewal every three years.
- Oil Burning Equipment Installer by the New York City Building Department. It is valid for three years from the issuance date.
- High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer by the New York City Building Department. It is also valid for three years.
Buffalo
- Only Heating Contractors need a license from the Permit and Inspection Service Department.
Ithaca
- HVAC contractors, engineers, and installers need a license from the city’s Building Department. The license must be renewed every year.
Albany
- Class A/Class B professional License from the Department of Building and regulatory Compliance for the installation of HVAC equipment.
Syracuse
All the licenses for this city are issued by the Department of Code Enforcement and include:
You don’t need all of these licenses; you only need to choose one according to the equipment you will be working with on your job. Your employer will tell you the license you need to get. Sometimes, a trainee might not need a license, to begin with, but after some experience, they will be asked to get one. But all of these do require some sort of training from a school or job.
If you live in a city other than the ones mentioned above, then a government-issued license is not required, but you should enroll in a trade school.
What Makes New York a Great Place to Start an HVAC Career?
New York is full of jobs and opportunities, and the salaries are often higher than in other states. Some factors that make the state a great place for an HVAC career include:
High Average Income
The average yearly income of HVAC technicians in the USA in 2019 is recorded at $68,703. When we compare this to the average yearly salary of an HVAC technician in New York, we see a considerable difference. In New York, you can earn up to $82,480 per year. Of course, you need some experience to earn this much, but the figures make it clear that there’s a lot of room to grow here!
Weather
The weather of New York varies greatly throughout the year. You get to experience both extreme hot and cold. This means a building’s HVAC system will have to hold up to these changes and provide cooling, heating, and dehumidification throughout the year. This increases the need for HVAC technicians throughout the state, which can be seen in the data provided by the US Department of Labour. This data predicts a 27% increase in HVAC jobs throughout the state. Therefore, you can always find employment.
Good Economy
Granted that New York is more than just New York City; the city is responsible for a good chunk of HVAC jobs. Because of its economic prosperity, the city is always constructing new buildings, and you need HVAC technicians to install heating and cooling systems.
New York City also has some very old buildings that translate to faulty HVAC systems, so there will be jobs for repair, maintenance, and installing new systems.
Job Outlook and Salary For HVAC Techs in New York
As with any other job, an HVAC technician's salary varies with the level of experience, and if you have any school training.
Entry Level
The average income for an entry-level technician is $31 an hour or $46,000 per year. Entry-level jobs will not require any experience but will need training and perhaps some licenses, depending on the employer.
Mid-Level
For a mid-level position like an HVAC technician III, the average yearly income is around $68,200. For this position, you will require some on-the-job experience of about three to six years.
Master-Level
The master-level position in this field is the HVAC supervisor position. For this position, you will need more than nine years of experience. Its average salary per year in the state of New York is around $80,800.
The benefits offered to depend on the company and the city, but some common ones include 401k, healthcare, social security, pension, and disability. Your salary may also differ depending on what you will do at the job, i.e., maintenance, installation, or repair. Bigger companies will offer better pay and benefits, but for that, you will need training from a recognized trade school and perhaps some on-the-job experience.
Insurance and Tax Information for HVAC Techs in New York
If you are an HVAC contractor, you should know the legal tax and insurance requirements to run your business. In the state of New York, you must include the sales tax in your bill when you do repair work.
The insurance mandatory for workers is the worker’s compensation insurance. This ensures that if an employee is injured during work, he/she will be given their wage and medical benefits that cover the injury. You should also look into other insurance plans. These will protect you and your business against any lawsuits. If you find them costly, just remember that you will lose much more money if you ever run into trouble and don’t have any insurance.
New York Cities With Highest Average HVAC Salaries
The cities in New York state with the best-expected salary for an HVAC technician are New York, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Huntington. The average salary for each of these cities for entry and high-level positions are given below.
- New York: $51,260-$91,000
- Yonkers: $49,110-$87,200
- Mount Vernon: $49,090-$87,100
- New Rochelle: $48,910-$86,800
- Huntington: $48,670-$86,400
It is clear from the data that New York City has the highest salary, as one would expect. But you should also keep in mind that the living cost there is also very high, so it is good to look at other cities in the state. All of these cities offer more than the national average salary for higher-level positions. Before deciding, you should also look at the benefits offered other than the base salary. Choose the job with the best benefits and retirement plan.
Conclusion
New York is a great place to start an HVAC career for several reasons; the most important of these is perhaps the weather. You get both hot summers and snowy winters. So, there is always work to do for HVAC technicians, and you have more options for the kind of equipment you want to work with, i.e., heating systems, cooling systems, refrigerants, making this state a great place to get started with your HVAC career.
People Also Ask
Working with HVAC systems requires a lot of technical knowledge. You need to know what you are doing; otherwise, you can end up hurting yourself and others. Faulty installation can also cause damage to the building. So, you need good training, which eventually pays off once you get a job. Some other things you should also know include the following:
How Much Does it Cost For HVAC School in New York?
The school fees will depend on the total time of the course, the skills or courses included in it, and the certifications offered. Simple certificate programs can cost $1,200 to $15,000. If you are going for an associate degree, then you should expect to pay $15,000 to $35,000. Some certifications require extra registration and exam fees like EPA.
What is the Demand For HVAC Technicians in New York?
New York is one of the top ten states that are best to work in as an HVAC technician. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the potential jobs in this field are expected to increase 27% over the next few years.
Nearby HVAC Schools
Here are some HVAC schools in nearby states:
