HVAC vs
Other Trades

Key Takeaways

HVAC technicians earn a May 2025 median of $61,010 and can start working in 6–24 months — faster than most comparable trades. On these pages, electrician and plumber medians are close to that figure; welder and auto-mechanic medians are lower.

• HVAC offers the fastest entry of the major trades (6–24 months)
• Electrician and plumber medians on these pages are close to HVAC, and those trades train longer
• The HVAC median shown is higher than the welder and auto-mechanic medians on these pages
• EE technicians earn more but need a 2-year degree