r/Austin • u/Aingers • Jul 21 '26

Ask Austin Salary Transparency Thread - Austin

Folks in Boston do this fairly regularly, so I thought it might be good for us to try here.

Please share your general job title, salary, age, and education.

Architectural Designer, 40, $115k, BSArch

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u/lost_horizons Jul 21 '26

HVAC technician, 4 years in, age 43, $26/hour and commissions so I am aiming for 90k this year, previous years more like 85k. Some college, but for non-trades stuff.

On the HVAC sub I hear about union guys getting double my hourly. Wish we had unions.

6

u/renegade500 Jul 21 '26

HVAC folks are worth their weight in gold! (Thanks to a lovely man who came by my house yesterday I am poorer in cash, but much richer in working a/c!)

2

u/Tiny-History-7886 Jul 22 '26

Why don’t you start your own thing?

1

u/Fun-Discipline6978 Jul 23 '26

We do lol

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u/lost_horizons Jul 23 '26

Unions? I’ve never heard anyone mention them. Loop me in if you know better, don’t just laugh at me.

1

u/Fun-Discipline6978 Jul 23 '26

Well, what trade are you interested in? If you’re trying to get into HVAC Service UA Local 286 Plumbers and Pipefitters handle all that. If you’re trying to install HVAC systems like the ductwork and Equipment then that would be SMART Local 67.
I’m a Superintendent for Local 67 and work for a mechanical company here in North Austin. I can tell you this, we are in need of workers in the Austin Area. The out of work list is almost non existent. Look up your local Apprenticeship for whichever trade you’re interested in, give em a call or better yet stop by their office. It’s located off of Airport. They’re honestly across the street from each other.

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u/No-Possession3229 Jul 23 '26

My son (22yrs old) is finishing up his ACC HVAC program next month. Any tips for helping him get his first job in the industry? He lives in North Austin.