In short
Electricians earn a May 2025 median of $63,190 and HVAC technicians $61,010, per BLS. Electricians usually learn through a multi-year apprenticeship and need a state license in most places. HVAC technicians often start with a certificate program at a trade school or community college, then learn on the job. HVAC is projected to grow 10.9% through 2035, electricians 9.2%.
| Side by side | HVAC technician | Electrician |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $61,010 | $63,190 |
| Hourly equivalent | $29.33 | $30.38 |
| Typical way in | Certificate | High school or GED |
| On-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
| Jobs in the U.S. (2025) | 440,900 | 821,000 |
| Growth, 2025 to 2035 | 10.9% | 9.2% |
| Openings each year | 40,600 | 72,700 |
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, national medians. Not a promise of what you will earn.
The work itself
HVAC technicians install and repair heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. A lot of the job is service calls: diagnosing why a unit stopped working, often in an attic or on a roof in the worst weather. Electricians install and maintain wiring, panels and lighting in new construction or existing buildings, and some move into industrial controls.
How you get in
The typical HVAC route is a certificate from a trade school or community college, then on-the-job training. Anyone handling refrigerants needs EPA Section 608 certification. Electricians usually enter a four or five year apprenticeship, earning while they learn, then take a licensing exam. Search apprenticeships at Apprenticeship.gov.
Which one fits you
HVAC suits people who like troubleshooting, talking with homeowners and variety. Electrical work suits people who like precision, code and longer projects. If you want to start earning quickly, HVAC school is shorter; if you want paid training from day one, an electrical apprenticeship delivers that.
Questions people ask
Which makes more money, HVAC or electrician?
Electricians have a slightly higher national median in May 2025, but local pay and overtime can flip that.
Is HVAC harder than electrical?
Neither is easy. HVAC covers airflow, refrigeration and some electrical work; electricians go deeper on code and power systems.
Can I switch between them later?
Some skills carry over, but each has its own training and licensing, so switching takes time.
Sources
- BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians
- Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)