HVAC Technician in Redmond, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Redmond Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Redmond is a tale of two cities. You have the tech giant campuses on the north side, and the more established, suburban neighborhoods to the south and east. For an HVAC technician, this means a unique market: high demand for climate control in both corporate offices and single-family homes, but also a high cost of living that can eat into your paycheck.

Let’s look at the hard numbers. The median annual salary for an HVAC Technician in Redmond is $57,841. That breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.81. While this is notably higher than the national average of $55,670, it's crucial to understand that this figure encompasses a wide range of experience levels. The local job market is competitive, with approximately 160 positions available in the metro area, and a steady 10-year job growth of 6% driven by both new construction and the constant need for system maintenance and upgrades in our damp climate.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Experience Level	Typical Years	Annual Salary Range	Key Redmond Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$48,000 - $55,000	Basic installation, preventative maintenance, assisting senior techs.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$57,000 - $70,000	Independent service calls, ductwork repair, troubleshooting complex systems.
Senior-Level	8-15 years	$70,000 - $85,000	Commercial systems, lead technician roles, customer relations.
Expert/Specialist	15+ years	$85,000+	Design, project management, specialized systems (e.g., clean rooms for tech firms).

Comparison to Other WA Cities
Redmond sits in a middle ground. It’s higher than Tacoma or Spokane but trails behind Seattle and Bellevue, where the extreme density and corporate wealth drive salaries even higher. For a technician with a family, Redmond offers a slightly more manageable cost of living than its immediate neighbor, Bellevue, while still providing access to top-tier employers.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

This is the part where the math gets real. The median salary of $57,841 looks good on paper, but Redmond’s cost of living index is 113.0 (13% higher than the national average). The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,864/month. Let’s run the numbers for a single technician earning the median salary.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Pre-Tax: ~$4,820)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Federal/State Taxes	~$1,100	Varies by withholdings; WA has no state income tax, but federal taxes and FICA apply.
Rent (1BR Apt)	$1,864	The biggest fixed cost. You can find cheaper in older complexes or with roommates.
Utilities	$200	Includes electricity, gas, internet (high-speed is a must for techs).
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Essential in Redmond; public transit is limited for service calls.
Food & Groceries	$400	Moderate budget.
Misc. & Savings	$756	This is your discretionary income and savings.

After these essentials, you have about $756 left. This isn't a lot for vacations, emergencies, or saving for a down payment. Can they afford to buy a home? The median home price in Redmond is over $1.2 million. On a single $57,841 salary, buying a home in Redmond is virtually impossible without a significant dual-income household. You would need to look to surrounding areas like Shoreline or Renton for more affordable options, extending your commute.

Insider Tip: Many technicians in Redmond live with a partner or roommate to split the $1,864 rent, which dramatically changes the financial equation. Working for a company that offers a tool allowance or a take-home work vehicle can also save hundreds per month.

Where the Jobs Are: Redmond's Major Employers

The job market here is split between residential-focused companies and commercial/industrial giants. With 160 jobs in the metro, competition is present but not overwhelming for skilled technicians.

1. Brenneco Heating & Cooling: A local staple based in nearby Woodinville but serving all of Redmond. They handle a lot of residential service and installation. They’re known for steady work and a family-owned culture.
2. Puget Sound Energy (PSE): While a utility, PSE employs HVAC techs for their commercial energy efficiency programs and internal facilities. They offer excellent benefits, stability, and often have weatherization upgrade projects.
3. Kaiser Permanente (Redmond Medical Center): Large healthcare facilities are massive HVAC consumers. Kaiser’s engineering and facilities teams hire techs for 24/7 climate control, critical for patient care. This is a path to a union job with great healthcare and retirement.
4. Microsoft (Redmond Campus): The tech giant’s facilities management team is one of the largest employers of HVAC techs in the region. Work involves maintaining complex data center cooling and climate control for millions of square feet of office space. Pay is at the top of the scale, but the hiring process is rigorous.
5. Amazon (Various Facilities): From corporate offices to fulfillment centers in the area, Amazon requires skilled technicians for their massive infrastructure. They often hire through third-party contractors but also have direct roles.
6. R&R Heating & Air Conditioning: A large, regional contractor with a strong presence in the Eastside. They do both residential and commercial work and are known for investing in technician training.
7. Local General Contractors (e.g., GLY, Baugh Construction): These firms hire HVAC techs for new construction projects, especially in the booming residential and mixed-use developments around downtown Redmond and the Overlake area.

Hiring Trends: There’s a shift towards tech-integrated systems (smart thermostats, building automation). Companies are eager to hire techs with digital troubleshooting skills. The commercial sector is growing faster than residential due to new office builds.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has a clear but strict path to licensure, managed by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). You cannot legally work as an HVAC contractor without proper licensing.

Requirements and Costs:

1. Apprenticeship: You must complete a state-registered apprenticeship program, typically 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 288 hours of classroom instruction. Many local unions (like the United Association) and non-union companies offer these programs.
2. Experience: After apprenticeship, you need a minimum of 4,000 hours of equivalent work experience as a journey-level HVAC technician to qualify for the exam.
3. Exam: Pass the HVAC Contractor Exam (covers business, law, and trade). The exam fee is approximately $250.
4. Bond & Insurance: You’ll need a $12,000 surety bond and liability insurance. Costs vary but can be thousands annually.
5. Application Fee: The state fee is $315.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Year 1: Enroll in an apprenticeship program.
• Years 2-4: Complete your 4,000 hours of training and coursework.
• Year 5: Gain additional experience, study for the exam, and apply for your license.
• Total: Plan for 5-7 years from apprenticeship start to becoming a licensed contractor. As a journeyman (after apprenticeship), you can work for a licensed contractor immediately.

Insider Tip: The UA Local 32 union in Seattle offers a highly respected apprenticeship with excellent pay scales and benefits. It's a competitive program, so apply early. Non-union shops like R&R or Brenneco also have in-house training paths.

Best Neighborhoods for HVAC Technicians

Living in Redmond is about balancing commute, cost, and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown for a technician.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For...
Downtown Redmond	Walkable, trendy, near transit (B-Line bus). Close to many employers.	$2,100+	Young professionals who want to be in the action and minimize driving.
Overlake	Residential, quieter, very close to Microsoft and tech campuses.	$1,950	Tech-focused work; easier access to major employers.
Education Hill	Suburban, family-oriented, good schools. A longer commute to north side jobs.	$1,800	Those with families or who work in south Redmond/Kirkland area.
Sammamish Valley	Rural, horse country, more space. Far from core Redmond, closer to Woodinville.	$1,700+	A quiet escape, but you'll drive everywhere. Best if you work for a company in the valley.

Insider Tip: If you work for a company like Microsoft or Kaiser, living in Overlake or Downtown can make your commute under 10 minutes, saving you from the notorious I-405 traffic. For a lower rent, look at apartments just across the border in Kirkland or Redmond Ridge.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 6% is steady, not explosive, but it’s stable. Growth comes from specialization and moving into management.

• Specialty Premiums: Technicians with certifications in commercial refrigeration or building automation systems (BAS) can command salaries 15-25% above the median. EPA 608 certification is a must; NATE certification is highly valued.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Lead Technician: Supervise a small crew.
  2. Service Manager: Oversee a team, handle scheduling and inventory.
  3. Project Manager (Commercial): For those with experience, managing large-scale installations for new construction.
  4. Business Owner: With a state contractor license ($315 application + bond/insurance), you can start your own shop. Many successful local techs run small, five-person companies serving the residential market.

10-Year Outlook: Demand will remain strong for residential service techs. The biggest growth area is in energy efficiency and smart building integration. Techs who can install and troubleshoot smart thermostats, VRF systems, and energy recovery ventilators will be in high demand. The rise of data centers in the region (driven by Amazon and Microsoft) will also create niche, high-paying roles in precision cooling.

The Verdict: Is Redmond Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High local salary compared to national average.	Extremely high cost of living, especially housing.
Stable, diverse job market with top employers.	Home ownership is a fantasy on a single median salary.
Access to top-tier training and union apprenticeships.	Traffic congestion on I-405 and SR-520 can be brutal.
Proximity to Seattle/Bellevue for career networking.	Competitive rental market; you may need roommates.
Scenic location with outdoor activities (hiking, lakes).	"Tech bubble" culture can feel isolating if you're not in that world.

Final Recommendation: Redmond is an excellent place for a career-focused, skilled HVAC technician, especially if you are early in your career and can leverage an apprenticeship. It’s a place to build your resume with top employers and gain certifications. However, for a single person earning the median $57,841, it’s a financial tightrope. You must be strategic about housing (roommates, neighboring cities) and budgeting. If you have a partner with a second income, or are willing to specialize early to increase your earnings, Redmond offers a high-quality career path in a beautiful, dynamic region.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car to work as an HVAC tech in Redmond?
A: Absolutely. While Redmond has bus routes, service calls are spread across the Eastside. You’ll need a reliable vehicle for carrying tools and responding to emergencies. Many companies provide a work truck, but you need your own car to get to the shop or job sites.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for HVAC techs in Redmond?
A: The weather. The damp, cool climate is ideal for systems like heat pumps, but it also means constant demand for maintenance and repair due to mold, moisture, and corrosion. You’ll be busy year-round.

Q: Is the union (UA Local 32) worth it?
A: For many, yes. The apprenticeship pays well from day one, offers health insurance, and leads to a pension. The non-union path can be faster for some, but the union provides a structured, high-quality training program and collective bargaining for wages and benefits.

Q: How does the cost of living in Redmond affect my net pay?
A: A significant amount. While you earn more than the national average, the 113.0 cost of living index means your dollar doesn’t stretch as far. Rent alone ($1,864 for a 1BR) can take over 30% of your pre-tax income, which is why many opt for roommates or living in nearby, less expensive cities.

Q: Are there opportunities for overtime?
A: Yes, especially in the peak summer and winter months. Commercial techs on call for facilities like hospitals or data centers can earn significant overtime. Residential companies also see spikes in demand during heat waves or cold snaps, offering extra hours for service calls.