The Complete Career Guide for HVAC Technicians in Burlington, VT

As a career analyst who’s spent a decade watching the skilled trades landscape in Vermont, I can tell you that Burlington is a unique market. It’s not a sprawling metropolis, but a dense, historic city with a distinct climate—long, cold winters and humid summers. That means the demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work is constant, year-round. If you’re a prospective HVAC technician considering a move here, this guide will give you the unvarnished, data-driven truth about what to expect.

Burlington isn’t just a college town; it’s the commercial and healthcare hub of Vermont. The metro population is 44,649, but it feels larger due to the daily influx from surrounding Chittenden County. The job market is tight, and skilled technicians are in high demand. Let’s break down what this means for your wallet, your career, and your quality of life.

The Salary Picture: Where Burlington Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most. According to the most recent data, the median salary for an HVAC Technician in Burlington is $55,670 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $26.76/hour. It’s important to note that this figure is identical to the national average for the profession. This is a key insight: Burlington pays at the national rate, which is relatively high for Vermont, a state with a lower overall cost of living.

However, your earning potential is heavily influenced by experience. Here’s how salaries typically break down in the Burlington metro area (which includes South Burlington, Winooski, and Essex Junction):

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary	Estimated Hourly Rate
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$40,000 - $48,000	$19.23 - $23.08
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$52,000 - $65,000	$25.00 - $31.25
Senior	8-15 years	$65,000 - $78,000	$31.25 - $37.50
Expert/Lead	15+ years/Management	$75,000 - $90,000+	$36.06 - $43.27+

Insider Tip: The median salary of $55,670 sits squarely in the mid-career range. If you’re already experienced, you should be targeting the $60,000+ bracket. The most significant jumps come from obtaining specialized certifications (e.g., EPA 608 Universal, NATE, VRF systems) and moving into commercial or industrial work.

How Burlington Compares to Other VT Cities

Burlington is the economic engine of Vermont, so salaries here are typically the highest in the state. Here’s a quick regional comparison for context:

City	Median Annual Salary (HVAC)	Key Differentiator
Burlington Metro	$55,670	Highest volume of commercial/healthcare jobs.
Montpelier	~$52,500	State government buildings, smaller residential market.
Rutland	~$49,000	More industrial/manufacturing focus, lower cost of living.
Barre	~$48,000	Similar to Rutland, with a focus on granite industry needs.

While Rutland and Barre have lower salaries, their housing costs are also significantly cheaper. In Burlington, you’re paying a premium to be in the state’s job epicenter.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary is one thing; your disposable income is another. Let’s create a realistic monthly budget for a single technician earning the median salary of $55,670/year.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Income: $4,639 ($55,670 / 12)
• Estimated Deductions (Taxes, FICA, etc.): ~25% = $1,160
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$3,479

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Apt)	$1,441	Citywide average. Newer buildings in the South End are higher.
Utilities (Electric/Heat)	$150 - $250	High in winter; gas heating is common and efficient.
Car Payment/Insurance	$300 - $500	Essential. Public transit is limited for trades work.
Fuel & Maintenance	$150 - $200	Commutes vary, but gas prices in VT are high (~$3.50/gal).
Groceries	$300 - $400	VT has a high grocery cost index.
Health Insurance	$200 - $350	If not fully covered by employer.
Miscellaneous	$200 - $300	Phone, streaming, personal care, etc.
Total Estimated Expenses	$2,741 - $3,441
Remaining for Savings/Debt	$38 - $738	Highly variable based on lifestyle.

Can they afford to buy a home? The short answer is: Not easily on a single median salary. The median home price in Chittenden County is over $450,000. A 20% down payment is $90,000. A monthly mortgage payment (with taxes and insurance) would likely exceed $2,500, which is over 70% of the net take-home pay. This makes homeownership a significant challenge for a single-earner household at this income level. It becomes more feasible with a dual-income household or after several years of salary growth into the senior bracket.

Where the Jobs Are: Burlington's Major Employers

The HVAC job market here is dominated by commercial, institutional, and industrial work, with a strong residential service component. The jobs in the metro area are listed as 89, which is a tight, competitive market. Here are the key players you need to know:

1. Northfield Savings Bank (NSB) Facilities: While not a traditional HVAC firm, NSB, a major local financial institution, maintains a large portfolio of buildings. They hire in-house technicians for their branch network and headquarters. They offer stable employment and excellent benefits.
2. University of Vermont (UVM) Facilities Management: UVM is one of the largest employers in the state. Their facilities team manages a massive campus with diverse systems—from historic buildings to modern labs. They often post positions requiring EPA 608 Universal certification and offer a strong pension plan. Hiring is steady but competitive.
3. The University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC): As the state’s largest hospital, UVMMC has a critical need for HVAC technicians who understand clean rooms, lab ventilation, and 24/7 critical environment systems. This is a premium employer; pay is often above the median, and specialization here is highly valued.
4. Burlington Electric Department: The city’s own utility has a team that works on district energy, heat pumps, and municipal building systems. They are a public employer with strong union benefits (IBEW Local 300). Jobs here are highly sought after.
5. Large Local Contracting Firms: Companies like Merrimack Valley Mechanical (with a VT branch), C.B. Hall & Sons, and S.D. Ireland (a leading concrete and construction firm with a dedicated MEP division) are major employers for commercial project work. They drive the majority of new construction and major retrofit projects.
6. Residential Service Companies: Firms like B&B Heating & Air Conditioning and Red Rock Mechanical (also commercial) dominate the residential service and replacement market. These roles are often high-pressure, commission-based, and require a van and strong customer service skills.

Hiring Trend: There is a noticeable push toward heat pump and mini-split systems due to Vermont’s aggressive efficiency programs (like Efficiency Vermont). Technicians with heat pump experience are at a distinct advantage.

Getting Licensed in VT

Vermont has a straightforward but mandatory licensing process. The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) oversees the HVACR (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) license.

Requirements:

1. Education/Training: You must complete an approved apprenticeship program (typically 4 years, 8,000 hours) or have equivalent work experience and education.
2. Exams: You must pass two exams:
   • The Vermont HVACR Business and Law Exam
   • The Vermont HVACR Trade Exam (which includes refrigeration and heating).
3. Insurance: You must provide proof of liability insurance.
4. Costs: Exam fees are approximately $150-$200 per exam. The license application fee is around $150. Total initial costs can run $500-$700.

Timeline to Get Started:

• If you are already licensed in another state: Vermont has reciprocity with many states (including MA, NY, and NH). You can apply for a license by endorsement, which is much faster (often 4-6 weeks) if you provide proof of your current license and meet Vermont’s experience requirements.
• If you are starting from scratch: You’ll need to document your work hours for the apprenticeship. The process can take 4-5 years to complete fully. However, you can work under a licensed contractor’s supervision while accruing hours.

Insider Tip: Always verify the current requirements on the Vermont OPR website. Regulations can change, and the state is strict about unlicensed work.

Best Neighborhoods for HVAC Technicians

Choosing where to live in Burlington affects your commute, rent, and lifestyle. Here are the top picks:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Why It’s Good for Techs
The South End	Industrial-chic, walkable to downtown. Easy access to I-89.	$1,500 - $1,700	Proximity to commercial zones (So. End industrial park) and downtown contractors.
Winooski	A separate city, gritty and vibrant. 5-minute commute to Burlington.	$1,300 - $1,500	Often slightly cheaper rent. Direct access to the highway.
South Burlington	Suburban, family-friendly. Home to major employers like UVMMC.	$1,600 - $1,900	Shortest commutes to the hospital and airport. Newer apartment stock.
Old North End	Historic, dense, diverse. Close to downtown and UVM.	$1,350 - $1,550	Walkable, lots of character. Can be tight for parking work trucks.
Essex Junction	Classic suburbia, 10 mins east of downtown.	$1,400 - $1,600	More single-family homes, quieter. Good for those who want a yard.

Personal Insight: For a technician with a company van, the South End or Winooski are ideal. You avoid the worst of downtown traffic and are minutes from the highway to get to jobs in the wider region.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth for HVAC technicians is projected at 6%, which is about average. However, in a localized market like Burlington, growth can feel more concentrated.

Specialty Premiums:

• Commercial/Industrial Refrigeration: Technicians who can service supermarket systems, walk-in coolers, and industrial chillers can command a 15-20% pay premium.
• VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) Systems: These are the high-end, ductless systems becoming standard in new commercial buildings. Expertise here is rare and lucrative.
• Building Automation Systems (BAS): Understanding controls like Trane, Siemens, or Johnson Controls is a massive advantage for commercial work.

Advancement Paths:

1. Service Technician to Lead Tech/Supervisor: Focus on complex troubleshooting and customer relations.
2. Field Technician to Project Manager: Move into overseeing new installations and retrofits.
3. Technician to Business Owner: Vermont has a thriving small-business culture. Starting your own one- or two-person shop is a viable long-term goal, especially with the strong local network.

10-Year Outlook: The push for energy efficiency and electrification (heat pumps) will drive the market. Older buildings in Burlington and the surrounding area are due for major HVAC overhauls. Technicians who adapt to these new technologies will have job security for decades.

The Verdict: Is Burlington Right for You?

Burlington offers a unique blend of career opportunity and quality of life, but it comes with trade-offs. Here’s the final assessment:

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable demand for skilled HVAC work, especially commercial.	High cost of living, particularly housing.
Competitive national-average pay in a low-wage state context.	Tight job market (only 89 jobs listed). You need to stand out.
Access to specialized employers like a major hospital and university.	Long, harsh winters mean heavy heating system work and outdoor challenges.
Excellent quality of life: outdoor recreation, arts, food scene, and a safe community.	Limited public transit makes vehicle ownership a necessity.
Reciprocity with neighboring states offers career flexibility.	Homeownership is a significant financial hurdle on a single median salary.

Final Recommendation: Burlington is an excellent choice for mid-career HVAC technicians (3-10 years of experience) who have or are willing to obtain specialized certifications. It is ideal for those who value a high quality of life and are willing to trade a larger housing budget for access to unique employers and a vibrant community. It is not the best choice for entry-level technicians seeking the lowest cost of living to start out, or for those whose primary goal is rapid homeownership on a single income.

FAQs

1. Do I need a Vermont license to work here?
Yes. If you are performing HVAC work that requires a license (which includes most paid work), you must hold a Vermont HVACR license or work under the direct supervision of someone who does. Reciprocity makes this easier if you’re licensed in a bordering state.

2. What’s the demand for residential vs. commercial work?
Commercial and institutional work is the most stable and often pays better. The residential service market is active but can be more competitive and seasonal (though winter heating calls are constant). Commercial work offers more consistent, salaried positions.

3. How do I find a job in this small market?
Networking is key. Join local trade groups like the Vermont Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association (VPHCA). Also, contact the major employers (UVM, UVMMC, large contractors) directly, even if no job is posted. Many positions are filled through word-of-mouth.

4. What’s the biggest challenge for HVAC techs in Burlington?
The biggest challenge is the housing affordability gap. The rental market is expensive, and the home purchase market is out of reach for many on a single tech’s salary. Budgeting carefully from day one is crucial.

5. Is the 6% job growth number accurate for Burlington?
The 6% 10-year job growth is a national projection from the BLS. In Burlington, the local demand feels stronger due to the unique concentration of hospitals, universities, and older building stock. However, the number of openings will remain small, making competition for the best jobs intense.