I taught HVAC system design at my local community college for 12 years as a part-time adjunct instructor. Pay wasn't great but the extra $$ helped my wife and I enjoy life a bit more as she battled with cancer. What I really enjoyed about teaching was seeing students grasp basic HVAC design principles for the first time, and how the act of teaching made me ever more knowledgeable about the trade, and better in the field. Chris, you already are an instructor/teacher with your videos. Those videos are on the job 24/7, conveying your realistic experiences and earned wisdom to countless thousands interested in HVAC work. While I am older than you I also have learned from you, so please take encouragement and comfort knowing you already are serving the HVAC community well.
3 months ago
| 5
I currently work with a guy who is teaching at the trade school I attended 20 years ago... working there nights after running calls during the day... same as me when I went to school. But your right -- he makes his money working the job all day, teaching becomes supplemental. A "blown mind" I think is an appropriate response to that realization.
3 months ago
| 15
In your case Chris working in the field you get the best of both worlds. You are the teacher & the student - cuz in the field every day is a school day. You get excellent pay as well, of which you can set your price & adjust as needed because I assure you, you are not a commodity that just anyone can buy anywhere. Your extra curricular teaching to all of us via your YouTube channel is icing on the cake, I thank you. Most of the amazing teachers I have met in the hvac field had an awesome transition to teaching. They sold their businesses for more money than they could refuse & went into teaching to fulfill other roles in their life. Perhaps more work life balance, exercising their passion etc. But many times there are negative consequences also, like more sedentary lifestyle, weight gain & deterioration of health. No matter the position, finding balance in this existence is the challenge, then again we are the top mammal on the planet & if we’re optimal & thriving, we’re up for any challenge!
3 months ago
| 1
I am going through a union apprenticeship rn and the instructors make bank. They also get to double dip on the pensions. And also there is no way to zone out on those "good old days" talks as most of us are extremely interested and it brings another level of understanding that we all dont know what where doing until we have done it. And that if you are not constantly learning something your falling behind. Also for those of you who get keyholed by a company into doing one type of work try your hardest to broaden the horizons cause learning more about other equipment and systems helps solidify the basic understanding of the trade. I honestly feel bad for the people that get stuck just doing chillers, package units (especiallyone brand), or mini-splits/vrf.
3 months ago
| 2
your videos taught me more when switched to refrigeration than any class could have, i wish teachers were paid more also
3 months ago
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I went back to teach industrial electrical controls at my old college as a hobby, which also opened doors to manufacturers which I was losing contact with & updated my certificates (foc). It was really interesting & I enjoyed it by only giving up due to a major accident.(Non work related)
3 months ago
| 2
Look into the local union program... it's the benefits and retirement that makes the difference. In my location the wages are pretty close.
3 months ago
| 1
i’m in school rn,at community college.my teacher is smartest person i met when it comes to hvac,i wish i could work for him😂he has his own busines
3 months ago
| 1
I like the apprenticeship series you are creating . I think you have something really good your building with your you tube channel. Lots of opportunity being created by the videos you post. Develop the apprenticeship. Program more. To the point you can create a digital university from it. Also go to the trade shows to show the newest technology. I would also suggest a business owner program to teach small businesses owners how to maintain their equipment. There is a big area that businesses owners as my self are missing. Thanks to your videos I have created a whole matiance program. I own a bakery and their is a lot more to buy refrigeration/freezer equipment then what meets the eye
3 months ago
| 1
Teaching is a desk job and going on the roof has the extra money for the phical work and dealing with the environment. (just my guess) (the places hiring would need to be willing to pay significantly more for a better teacher (and be able to tell who is a better teacher))
3 months ago
| 1
U are teaching bro. You got the best of both worlds. I bet you're real busy though! ❤️
3 months ago
| 1
I went to a community college in SoCal and the instructors were pretty well paid. I think public school instructors get more money than private. Also I would only recommend going to community college for a hvac cert rather than a private trade school.
3 months ago
| 1
Chris you can totally do it, my company just hired an old guy who “retired” and started teaching night school. Now he’s our tech advisor and trainer while still teaching night school! I love the guy haha
3 months ago
| 2
Best way to teach in this trade is to bring an apprentice under your wing, that way you still get top pay.
3 months ago
| 1
Honestly do it man! The way you break down issues and troubleshooting in your videos shows a lot! I would love to be your student!
3 months ago (edited)
| 1
Here in Holland a teacher that teaches something like hvac or anything technical have a good income.
3 months ago
| 1
I talked to the local tech college about teaching electrical apprentices part time as a retirement job. For part time the money was not bad but even with 40 years experience, an AAS degree and a being a licensed master electrician I was not "qualified". They would set me up with provisional teaching license and I would have to take classes to get my full license. Teaching requires 4 year college degree at a minimum. Most everyone that teaches college has a 4 year degree and many have advanced degrees and that is something the school is very proud of. So many people have gone to college and the supply of college educated people is large so that depresses wages.
3 months ago
| 2
I’m on the advisory board of two different vocational schools HVAC program. I’m also the technical interviewer when they have to hire an instructor. Current rate of pay being offered is $28 per hour, 24 hours per week. The program director is hoping to hire a recent retiree that just wants to get out of the house.
3 months ago
| 1
I went to LA trade tech. One of the best trade schools. I started with hvac and then steam plant. I’m Now an operating engineer.
3 months ago
| 3
I went to Riverside city college for two years while I was on the field And I was close to all instructors over there and they share with me how much the are getting paid and it’s was pretty good and they will tell me that they are very happy with pay and benefits they get. So maybe it depends on each school.
3 months ago
| 1
HVACR VIDEOS
I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, it blows my mind how ridiculously low the pay is for HVACR instructors. Yeah, sure—there are plenty of washed-up techs who couldn’t hack it in the field and ended up teaching, but there are also some seriously solid educators out there. And it’s just sad how little they’re paid. The fact that their students are out there making more money than them within 6 months to a year? That’s wild.
Even knowing all that, I still catch myself daydreaming about teaching full-time and walking away from the contracting grind. But let’s be real—I couldn’t support my family or keep living the lifestyle I’ve worked hard to build. So I keep telling myself, maybe I’ll give it a shot when I retire. But by then, I’ll probably just be some irrelevant old dude rambling about the “good ol’ days” while everyone zones out ………. Random thoughts from Chris
3 months ago | [YT] | 556