What Benefits Should I Get as an HVAC Tech?

The one thing that every person, in every industry, questions about a job first is “What’s the pay like?” Afterwards, you’d generally go on to wonder “What are the hours like?” and “What’s the company culture like?” Of course, candidates also tend to get curious about the perks and benefits the company has to offer.

Sometimes we take it for granted that the company even offers anything in the first place, as benefits do vary a lot between companies. This is especially true for the blue-collar industry. Oftentimes, benefits get swept under the rug, and workers never truly understand what they could be receiving as regular benefits.

In this article, I will highlight and break down HVAC benefits and what you can expect as an HVAC tech, as well as which are standard and which are worth pushing for.

The realities of the blue-collar industry

I’m sure we’ve all either heard or seen cases of unfairness in the workplace.

Frequently, I’ve seen situations where experienced professionals aren’t being fairly compensated, or they lack any inclusive benefits. According to research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), only 55% of blue-collar workers have actually been afforded health benefits.

This is why it’s important to fully understand what benefits you should ideally get as an HVAC technician.

Learn more about HVAC jobs, career paths, and more in our detailed article.

Why do HVAC benefits matter

This career revolves around physical, manual labor.

Sometimes it’s you holding onto a ladder for dear life to access that high-mounted ductless system. Other times, it’s trying to navigate the effects of asbestos in the attics of old homes.

And these are only some of the potential dangers you could face.

Having a solid benefit package can protect your health and well-being, but also your finances. Depending on where you work, you could also be assured of growth within your career a lot faster than you would normally.

However, the harsher reality to face is that not all companies are the same, nor are they obligated to be. Companies on the smaller side of things offer fewer benefits, whereas larger companies tend to offer structured benefit programs.

Basic benefits you should advocate for

These are some of the benefits that, at the very least, are worth advocating for. That is, provided that you’re someone with a reasonable amount of experience.

Health insurance

In an ideal world, every trade industry (especially those that require physical labour) should offer paid health insurance.

It is often an added benefit in non-trade industries, so at the very least, you should ensure you are offered some sort of substantial health cover. Besides the actual tools you work with, your body is the most essential tool you need for your day-to-day work.

Paid time off (PTO)

The minimum one could expect is probably 5–10 days of paid leave per year. Obviously, this depends on your level of seniority, because your leave generally increases with career progression. Sick leave and public holidays should be offered separately from the standard PTO.

Overtime pay

A non-exempt HVAC employee is entitled to at least time-and-a-half of their “regular rate” for all of the extra hours worked that are over 40. Usually, you could expect overtime pay depending on seasonal demand. Emergency calls are included in this as well.

Retirement plans

This is dependent on whether or not you have a union or non-union-based role. However, you should normally be offered 401(k) plans either way. With union-based roles, you are also provided with a pension fund on top of that.

Valuable extras that make a big difference

Provided you’re receiving the essentials, it’s also worth exploring whether the company offers any additional benefits. These could include:

A company vehicle or travel support

Being an HVAC tech requires you to go on call-out jobs far and wide. In this case, a company vehicle should be given to you, and your fuel and other maintenance should be covered.

However, in smaller companies, a shared vehicle might be more common, or you could even be asked to use your own vehicle with fuel and upkeep covered by the company.

Tool or tool allowance

Your employer should provide tools for you or give you a stipend to purchase the necessary tools.

Training and certifications

The HVAC industry is quickly evolving with new tech and regulations. Reputable employers should actively encourage and pay for you to expand your certifications and education within the industry.

Bonuses and incentives

At the end of the day, incentives do a lot for employee morale, and good companies know this.

For companies that do offer this, these are typically given to you at the end of the year, based on the efficiency of job completion, or even as just a “job well done” for how you handled a very complicated call-out.

What to look out for

You may not be entitled to all of the benefits mentioned, but some companies aren’t currently able to support any of the benefits above. Early on in your career, you may accept this as you’re gathering experience, but as you gain more experience, you are entitled to raise your expectations.

Typically, the biggest problem is that the company offers no health benefits. Now that’s not to say “if they don’t offer dental, but they still support everything else, I need to run”. I’m talking about absolutely no health benefits. Again, when you’re younger, this is generally okay, but as you get older, due to the physical demands of the job, it’s something worth exploring with future employers.

Then sometimes, there’s no PTO. Although it isn’t mandatory to offer this, it’s normally a show of goodwill to offer some level of paid time off.

What a good HVAC job actually looks like

If I could offer you one piece of advice, it’s this:

Don’t just accept the offer without evaluating what comes with it. In the United States, the HVAC industry has a well-documented skills shortage, so you are in a better position than ever to negotiate for certain benefits.

In a nutshell: know what you’re actually worth in the industry, and speak to other HVAC techs to get an idea of whether or not your company is compensating you properly. It can be intimidating to approach your supervisor and demand more benefits, but remember, you are in this career for the long haul — so your benefits should set you up for the future as well as provide for you in the present.

Good companies want to invest in their employees, in whichever way is financially and logistically feasible for them. So, don’t be afraid to (a) speak up, or (b) see what else is out there.

If you’re looking for an HVAC role, whether it’s with a small company or a larger one, we’ve got you covered at Darwin Recruitment. Contact us to get in touch with companies that not only support your career growth but also give you the benefits you’ve earned.