Deciding on a career isn’t always easy. There’s no one job that’s best for everybody. Choosing the right career means taking into account your personality, interests, and goals.
If you’re considering a career in the trades, you have a lot of options. Many jobs in the trades offer job security, high wages, and a variety of potential career paths. But within the trades, there are also some big differences.
1. Income
The trades have a well-earned reputation for offering good jobs with a reliable income. Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians are no different. For all of these jobs, the median annual pay is above $45,000. That’s significantly higher than it is in the U.S. as a whole, where the average worker earned $36,200 annually.
That said, there are still some differences in annual wages between HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers. When it comes to income, electricians come out on top. An electrician in the U.S. earns an average of $51,880 each year. A plumber earns just a little less, with a median annual salary of $50,620. HVAC technicians earn the lowest wages of the three, with a median annual income of $45,110.
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Most electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians work full time, but part-time workers also earn a high hourly rate:
Electricians: $24.94 per hour
Plumbers: $24.34 per hour
HVAC technicians: $21.69 per hour
HousecallPro has put together an infographic that showcases state-by-state hourly rate data for HVAC technicians. Each state’s average rate varies, with Alaska leading the way at over $39/hour. This state-specific data can be helpful if you are researching the HVAC career path in particular.
2. Job Growth
What about job prospects? Again, all three trades are expected to have high job growth over the next decade. While jobs in the U.S. as a whole are expected to grow by seven percent, these jobs all have expected growth of 12 percent or more.
HVAC and electrician jobs are both expected to grow by 14 percent by 2024. And plumbing jobs are expected to grow by 12 percent in the same time period.
Plumbers and electricians just entering the workforce can also expect more jobs to open up as older workers retire. The plumbing and electrical industries are likely to see a worker shortage in the next few years because so many older workers are retiring.
In some states, the impact of these retirements is already being felt. In Minnesota, 40 percent of electricians are expected to retire in the next few years. That means many homeowners and businesses are having a harder time finding a qualified electrician, and waiting longer for service.
Although HVAC technicians won’t see the same impact from retirement that plumbers and electricians will, this industry is already experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. Many employers report that finding HVAC technicians with computer and electronic skills is exceptionally difficult, and the many developments made to HVAC systems in the last few years have only increased the demand.
Bottom line: This one is a tie. All three of these trades offer a solid opportunity for stable, long-term career growth. For sheer number of job openings, electricians top the list. Between 2014 and 2024, there’s expected to be a need for another 114,700 electricians.
3. Type of Coursework Needed to Prepare
Today, having a certificate in the field can help you get an apprenticeship. Many states require a certificate for licensing.
As with most trades, the education needed for any of these jobs is very hands on. Expect to learn how to connect circuits, weld, and solder. That said, there are some differences in the types of courses you’ll take.
Courses for electricians focus heavily on electrical concepts and practices. Expect coursework to include:
- Electrical concepts
- Residential and commercial wiring
- Reading blueprints
- Connecting circuits
- Installing fuse boxes
- HVAC technicians will take similar courses to obtain a certificate.
HVAC certificate coursework usually includes learning about:
- Electrical concepts
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Duct systems
- Reading blueprints
- Soldering, welding, and sheet metal fabrication
- Obtaining a plumbing Diploma means taking courses in:
- Water, air, and steam concepts
- Plumbing codes
- Installing and testing plumbing
- Drain and waste systems
Bottom line: The coursework for all of these trades is hands-on and should provide you with a broad overview of the field. It’s important to choose a field that’s a good match for your interests. If you enjoy working with electronics, consider an electrical certificate or HVAC training. If you prefer building and testing water systems, plumbing career might be a better fit.
4. Length of Coursework
The length of coursework required for these certificates is fairly similar. The training needed for plumbers versus electricians is particularly similar. If you’re enrolled full time, it’s possible to obtain a certificate in about forty weeks.
You’ll spend slightly longer obtaining an HVAC certificate. That’s because HVAC technicians need to know the fundamentals of both plumbing and electricity. It’s still possible to complete an HVAC certificate in under a year, though.
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Bottom line: For all of these programs, it’s possible to obtain your certificate in less than a year. If you’re working part time, it may take slightly longer.
5. On-The-Job Training
On-the-job training is exceptionally important in all of these fields. Most on-the-job training is conducted via an apprenticeship. You’ll work under the supervision of someone experienced in your field. An apprenticeship can last for three to five years. Once it’s completed, you’ll qualify for journeyman status in the field.
For electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers, the most common way to get an apprenticeship is via a union. Many unions have in-house apprenticeship programs, where you’ll learn hands-on skills in your field. You may also take additional courses. As an apprentice, you’ll receive an hourly wage for your work.
It’s also possible to find an apprenticeship on your own. This is less common than a union apprenticeship. Because it’s less common, there can also be less competition. However, you’ll need to do the work of finding a qualified technician to take you on as an apprentice.
State requirements for on-the-job training vary. That’s why it’s important to find out the requirements in your state before you begin your training. As a general rule, expect your apprenticeship or on-the-job training to last several years.
As a plumber’s apprentice, expect to put in approximately 8,000 hours of on-the-job training to get to journeyman status. This is usually somewhere between three and five years of work, depending on how many hours you work each week.
Like plumbers, electricians will go through 8,000 hours of on-the-job training to reach journeyman status. Expect to spend three to five years as an apprentice. However, some unions offer compressed apprenticeship programs that last just two to three years.
The length of an HVAC apprenticeship varies widely. If you’re considering this route, it’s particularly important to check your state requirements. In some states, an apprenticeship may include just two to three years of training. In other states, you’ll need to receive 10,000 hours of on-the-job training (five years) before reaching journeyman status.
Bottom line: The length of your on-the-job training depends more on your state than on your field of study. Check your state’s laws to determine their requirements. It’s important to note that even as an apprentice, you’ll have the ability to earn a high wage. Apprentices usually earn about half of what a journeyman does, and their wage usually increases as they learn more skills.
6. Licensing Requirements
Most states require electricians to be licensed. A few states require only Master Electricians to be licensed, but most require anybody who performs electrical work to have a license. Licensing requirements vary by state. In general, expect to prove your experience via your educational records and experience, or by taking an exam.
The National Electrical Contractors Association has a full list of state licensing requirements for electricians on their website.
Like electricians, most plumbers also need to be licensed. Forty-four states require plumbers to be licensed by the state. However, the licensing requirements vary by state. Some require proof of your education and a certain number of hours of work experience. Others require an exam before you can get a license.
The requirements for HVAC technicians vary by state. A few states require all HVAC technicians to have a license. Others only require an HVAC contractor’s license if you plan to go into business for yourself. Like electrician and plumbing licenses , you’re likely to need a certificate and work experience to obtain your license.
Source: vistacollege
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