HVAC Technician in South Burlington, VT

The Salary Picture: Where South Burlington Stands

As a local, I can tell you that the HVAC trade is stable work in South Burlington. The demand doesn't swing wildly like in some tourist-heavy markets because our economy is anchored by institutions like UVM and UVM Medical Center, which need consistent, year-round facility maintenance. The median salary for HVAC Technicians in the South Burlington metro area is $55,670/year, which aligns perfectly with the national average of $55,670/year. The hourly equivalent is $26.76/hour. While the national figure might feel like a ceiling in some rural areas, here it's a solid baseline. The local job market is compact but consistent, with 40 active jobs in the metro area at any given time and a 10-year job growth of 6%, which is steady, if not explosive.

Here’s how that breaks down by experience level. Note that these are localized estimates based on the median and common industry progression.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$42,000 - $49,000	Basic maintenance, duct cleaning, assisting senior techs, learning refrigerant handling.
Mid-Level (2-5 yrs)	$55,670 (Median)	Diagnosing and repairing systems, installation of new units, customer interaction, some on-call.
Senior (5-10 yrs)	$62,000 - $75,000	Complex troubleshooting, commercial/industrial systems, mentoring apprentices, leading small projects.
Expert/Specialist (10+ yrs)	$75,000+	Design support for new construction, controls integration, specialized equipment (e.g., medical, data center), management.

Compared to other VT cities: South Burlington sits in a sweet spot. It’s higher than rural VT towns (where salaries might dip into the $45,000 range) but often less than the Chittenden County core of Burlington itself, where competition and cost pressures can push wages slightly higher. However, the commute from South Burlington to downtown Burlington is negligible (10-15 minutes), so you can often access those higher-paying jobs without the premium rent. In contrast, a tech in Rutland or Barre might earn $50,000 - $52,000, but the cost of living is also lower.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s ground the $55,670 figure in reality. South Burlington’s cost of living index is exactly 100.0, matching the national average. The big variable here is housing. The average rent for a 1BR apartment is $1,441/month.

Here’s a rough monthly budget for a single HVAC Technician earning the median salary, assuming a standard 30% of gross income goes to rent and a 22% effective tax rate (federal + state VT taxes). Note: This is an estimate; actual take-home depends on specific deductions, filing status, and benefits.

Category	Monthly Amount (Est.)	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$4,639	$55,670 / 12
Estimated Taxes (22%)	-$1,020	Federal, VT State, FICA
Net Take-Home	$3,619
Rent (1BR Avg)	-$1,441	39% of net income – slightly high
Utilities (Heat, Elec, Int.)	-$250	VT winters are costly for heating.
Car Payment/Insurance/Gas	-$400	Essential; public transit is limited.
Food & Groceries	-$400
Health Insurance (if not employer-paid)	-$300
Remaining for Savings/Discretionary	$828

Can they afford to buy a home? This is a tougher question. The median single-family home price in South Burlington is approximately $450,000+ (2024 data). A $55,670 income would qualify for a mortgage of around $250,000 - $275,000 with a standard 20% down payment, assuming good credit and no other major debt. This means homeownership in South Burlington proper is likely out of reach for a single earner at the median salary. However, it’s not impossible with a dual-income household or by looking at neighboring towns like Winooski or Essex Junction, where prices can be 10-15% lower. Many local techs rent for years before moving to a starter home in the outer suburbs.

Where the Jobs Are: South Burlington's Major Employers

The job market here is driven by a mix of commercial, institutional, and residential contractors. You won’t find massive corporate HVAC plants, but you’ll find steady, reliable employers.

1. UVM Medical Center Facilities Department: The largest employer in the region. They maintain a complex network of buildings, including the main hospital and clinics. They hire in-house technicians for preventive maintenance and emergency repairs. Hiring is often through the UVM Medical Center careers portal. These roles are highly stable but can be bureaucratic to enter.
2. University of Vermont (UVM) Facilities Operations: Similar to the medical center, UVM has dozens of buildings—from old dorms to new labs—that need constant HVAC attention. They often post jobs on their UVM HR site. A insider tip: prior experience with large, older systems (like steam boilers) is a huge plus here.
3. Ben & Jerry’s / Unilever (Waterbury): While not in South Burlington proper, their massive ice cream production facility in Waterbury (a 25-minute drive) is a major industrial employer for HVAC techs specializing in refrigeration and process cooling. They have a dedicated maintenance team and use contractors for specific projects.
4. Local & Regional Contracting Companies: The backbone of the residential and light commercial market. Key players include:
   • Vermont Heating & Ventilating Co. (Burlington-based, serves South Burlington)
   • Climatrol (Winooski-based)
   • C.M. Stone Heating & Cooling (Barre, but serves Chittenden County)
   • N.E. Whiting Company (Essex Junction)
     These companies handle everything from residential furnace installs to commercial rooftop units. Hiring trends: they’re always looking for reliable, licensed techs, especially for on-call rotations. Word-of-mouth is critical in this tight-knit community.
5. Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Members: Many small to mid-sized businesses in the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants) hire their own maintenance staff or use specific HVAC contractors for their needs. Companies like The Essex Resort & Spa or Inn at Shelburne Farms have full-time maintenance roles that include HVAC duties.

Getting Licensed in VT

Vermont has clear requirements for HVAC technicians, focusing on refrigerant handling and the right to work.

• EPA 608 Certification: Federally required for anyone who handles refrigerant. This isn’t VT-specific but is mandatory. You can get this through an online course and exam (cost: $100-$200).
• VT State Contractor’s License: If you plan to run your own business or be a lead installer, you need a VT State Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Contractor License. Requirements include:
  • Passing a state exam.
  • Providing proof of financial responsibility.
  • Having a qualifying agent who meets experience requirements (typically 4 years as a journeyman/foreman).
  • Cost: Application and exam fees are approximately $200-$300. This does not include any business insurance or bonding, which are separate and significant costs.
• Journeyman & Master Licenses: VT does not have a formal state-level journeyman license for HVAC. However, many employers and unions (like the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 693) offer apprenticeship programs that lead to a journeyman card, which is highly respected by employers.

Timeline to Get Started: If you’re starting from scratch, you can complete your EPA 608 in a week. Finding an entry-level helper or apprentice position can take 1-3 months of active searching. Becoming a licensed contractor to start your own business is a 4-5 year process after gaining field experience.

Best Neighborhoods for HVAC Technicians

Living in South Burlington means considering your commute to job sites, which are scattered across Chittenden County.

1. The South End (Downtown South Burlington): Close to the airport, the University Mall, and major retail corridors (Shelburne Rd, Williston Rd). Commute: Excellent to most job sites (10-15 mins). Lifestyle: More urban with easier walkability to shops. Rent Estimate: $1,500-$1,700/month for a 1BR.
2. Shelburne Road Corridor: This is the main commercial artery. Living here means you can walk or bike to many service calls along this road. Commute: Central. Lifestyle: Car-dependent but very convenient for service techs. Rent Estimate: $1,400-$1,600/month for a 1BR.
3. Essex Junction (adjacent town): A classic Vermont village feel, home to the Champlain Valley Expo and a strong community. A 15-20 minute commute to South Burlington. Rent is slightly lower ($1,300-$1,500/month for a 1BR). It’s a popular choice for tradespeople looking for more space.
4. Winooski: Technically its own city, but it’s a 5-minute drive from South Burlington. It has a younger, denser vibe with great breweries and restaurants. Commute is minimal. Rent: Similar to South Burlington, around $1,400-$1,550/month for a 1BR.
5. The New North End (Burlington): While not South Burlington, it’s the closest residential neighborhood in Burlington. You get a true city feel with easy access to downtown Burlington and the South Burlington line. Commute to South Burlington: 10-15 minutes. Rent: $1,450-$1,650/month for a 1BR.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 6% indicates a stable, not booming, market. Growth here is about specialization and value-add, not just volume.

• Specialty Premiums: Certifications in geothermal systems are increasingly valuable due to Vermont’s focus on renewable energy. Commercial refrigeration (for the growing brewery and food processing scene) commands a premium. Controls and building automation (BACnet, etc.) is a high-demand, low-supply field that can push salaries toward the $75,000+ expert level.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Service Tech → Lead Tech: Take on more complex systems and mentor apprentices.
  2. Field Tech → Project Manager: Move into estimating, scheduling, and client management for larger installs.
  3. Employee → Owner: Start your own small shop serving the niche you’ve mastered (e.g., servicing historic homes with steam systems or commercial kitchens).
• 10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. The push for energy efficiency and electrification (heat pumps) means there will be steady work retrofitting older homes and buildings. The biggest threat is a shortage of new entrants into the trade, which could actually drive wages up for experienced techs. Your long-term security is in being the tech who can solve the tricky, old-system problems that newer techs can't.

The Verdict: Is South Burlington Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable, year-round demand from institutions and homes needing heat.	High cost of living, especially housing relative to the median salary.
High quality of life with access to outdoor recreation (skiing, hiking, Lake Champlain).	Competitive job market for the limited number of openings; networking is key.
Four distinct seasons keep the work varied (cooling in summer, heating in winter).	Vermont winters are harsh on both people and equipment; be prepared for extreme cold.
Strong sense of community in the trades; good support networks.	Limited public transportation makes a reliable vehicle a necessity.
Opportunity to specialize in niche, high-value systems.	Career growth may require moving into management or starting your own business.

Final Recommendation: South Burlington is an excellent choice for an HVAC technician who values quality of life over maximum salary potential. It’s a place to build a steady, respected career if you are patient, willing to network, and have a partner or dual income to manage the housing market. It’s not the place for rapid wealth accumulation, but it’s a fantastic place for a stable, fulfilling life in the trades. If you are a self-starter who can carve out a niche, you can do very well here.

FAQs

Q: Is the job market for HVAC techs saturated in South Burlington?
A: Not saturated, but competitive. With only 40 jobs in the metro, openings don’t appear daily. The key is to build relationships with the major contractors before you need a job. Attend local trade events or join the Vermont Building Trades Association.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for HVAC work in Vermont?
A: The extreme winter cold. Systems are pushed to their limits, and frozen pipes or failed furnaces are emergencies. You need to be comfortable working in attics and crawlspaces in freezing conditions. Also, many older homes have outdated or dangerous wiring, requiring careful diagnosis.

Q: Do I need my own tools and van to get hired?
A: For entry-level helper positions, no. Most contractors provide vehicles and major tools. However, as you advance, having your own basic hand tools is expected. For senior or lead tech roles, a company vehicle is standard, but some roles might offer a vehicle allowance.

Q: How do I handle the on-call rotation?
A: This is standard in the trade. In South Burlington, on-call rotations are typically one week in every 4-6. You’ll be paid a stipend for being on-call and overtime for any hours worked. It’s a significant part of the total compensation, often adding $5,000-$10,000 to your annual income.

Q: Is union membership common?
A: Yes, for larger commercial and institutional projects. The Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 693 has a strong presence in Vermont. Their apprenticeship program is a fantastic path to a journeyman card and offers great benefits (healthcare, pension). For purely residential work, union membership is less common, but the training is still valuable.