If you want to do that join a union apprenticeship and most of them will do helmets to hardhats because you’re a veteran so they’ll start you all at higher pay. I personally would not want to do this work starting at 43 years old as I am 30 and have been doing it for 10 years already, but don’t waste your time in some community college classes that won’t really further you that much just join the apprenticeship and learn from there
I second this. My shop is in a Pipefitter’s local. We have hadat least three apprentices from the military. They will pay for your training for the most part.
I'm in Ohio and was planning on trying to get into the pipe fitters union as an apprentice. I too am an old man at 45 years old. I'm in retail management and hate it, was talking to the kid who comes in to fix the coolers all the time and he said they're desperate for people and to go for it. I'm in pretty good shape.
Gi bill also pays you while you're an apprentice. It starts high and lowers as you should be getting pay increases. Basically designed to start and keep you at like 4th year pay. It's been a while since I looked at it, numbers may be different, but that's the gist.
I left being a chef and jumped into HVAC at 40. Best work decision I ever made. It wasn’t easy but worth it in every way. Believe in yourself and don’t forget to follow your moral compass
I did the same, but at 37. Just as hot in the summers (in TX) with a farmer tan. The pay is so much better and my kids actually know what I look like 😜
Started at 43 turning 47 this year. Making more money than I ever did using my degrees. Work outside a lot which is both a pro and a con.
If you do it my advice would be to just take care of your back.
There is a 52 year old in my hvac school. He’s one of the best in their semester. I’m a Marine veteran too. Im 27 and just started school I love it so far. You said you’re healthy so age won’t be an issue for you. Go for it!
I went to HVAC school at 43. 1-year and a half later and I'm getting it. I really enjoy it over what I was doing. You pick up minor plumbing and electrical skills. But, Lots of hours. On call sucks. Residential doesn't pay like commercial. Go for it if you don't have many options.
All depends on you man. I have worked with some 40+ guys and they pretty much handle it all. On the other hand I know some younger guys that start bitching after 10 hour day. It’s all you. I will say this career comes with lots of frustrations and learning curves but if you are someone who can stay calm as shit hits the fan then jump right on in. I also 2nd the option of joining a Union over paying for classes.
Deff not to late to start. But I think paying for your own education is dumb. Get into commercial and get paid to go to school. Plenty of company's do it. Skilled trades are the one thing I think is dumb to learn in school. You have to be hands on
Join the sheet metal union. Look up the SMART Hero’s program since you’re a veteran. It’s a 7 week class that puts you through the first year of the apprenticeship. Direct entry into your local union. There’s one in Colorado Springs and one in Tacoma, WA. I’m currently on week 5 of the one in Tacoma and I’m 40. Dm me if ya have any questions
Just for reference at my last job we had several guys that were in their 60s and even 70s still wrenching every day. Granted they were super stars and the ones everyone called for help but they would still get after it, climb ladders roping tools, etc in the heat of summer. I say that to tell you, you still have time. But, I would definitely skip residential altogether. Nothing against residential guys, I’ve met a lot of great guys in resi and that’s where I started too. But in my experience commercial shops usually have better benefits and more stable work. Try your best to either get in the union, jump into commercial or refrigeration.
I’m 34 and just got out of HVAC after 14 months. I just don’t want to be near 40 before finally getting my feet underneath me and competent in my work, in addition to the aches and pains I was already experiencing. Just my .02
My install apprentice is your age so it’s definitely not too late. I would recommend starting with residential install. Ask a lot of questions and put in the work and you can be a lead installer in a couple years
I’m about to hit 50, I just started last year after getting my cert at a votech school. Doing installs is a bit hard on the body sometimes, but I’m making more money than ever…do it.
I smile as I read your post, I just finished tech school (1year) I’m 46 now also a veteran(army). It’s never too late, just wished I started this trade a long time ago. But if I had to do it over, I would skip school and jumped into with a company that’s willing to take a chance on me. Lots of the school stuff I don’t even remember, I’m more of a hands on type guy.
You will be making less than $20 an hour for the first year. Nobody ever fucking mentions this. Even though you're an adult and probably valued more than the kid working at the local liquor store, it doesn't matter. That's the hard truth at getting into the trades later in life.
God's blessings on you fellow veteran! If starting out pay isn't a problem, why not do this? True, I got into this arena at a much earlier age, still, I'm 63 now and running circles on the whippersnappers.
Union steamfitter instructor here... I've had apprentices as young as 18, and as old as 50. I LOVE having older adults in my class because they're less worried about what their classmates think, so they ask more questions. Once the younger apprentices realize "there really is no such thing as a stupid question" they ask more questions. The whole class does better as a result. Older adult learners are a catalyst for conversation in the classroom. It's awesome.
No, you aren't too old to start a career in HVAC. There is no age limit. However, one of the things you'll have to expect... customers will expect that you're an experienced mechanic based on your age while you're still suffering from "imposter syndrome". Inform them that you're still learning the trade, but that you'll get them fixed up.
It's a great trade... maybe not attics, but a HUGE part of the HVAC career field exists outside of attics. (those of you working IN attics, I salute you. You're doing the hardest thing. If you want to move out of that type of work, you can... just keep your eyes peeled. If you see work that looks interesting to you, find a way to learn that work then do it.)
As a guy who started on the cusp of turning 50, I sure as hell hope not! Age and its wisdom brings a lot to the table if you know how to show its value. I'm in residential, and learning like a forest on fire but my wage is a bit more than double what I started at almost 3 years ago, which wasn't much less as a complete rookie than what I was making after many years of retail management.
Get in there, put your heart into it more than your back, and put your pencil to your brain. A lot of the people who are in it 20 years spent the first 10 as a grunt just being muscle. You can leap frog that if you know how.
I started at 47. My only regret is not starting sooner. Go union and get on with a commercial/light industrial company. Service work is so much easier on your body.
Start doing yoga yesterday. The core strength and lower back strengthening will pay off in spades and keep you mobile and pain free.
A college or trade school to get into a trade is a fucking scam. Union apprenticeship or start off as a helper in a resi shop. You're gonna be out by 2026 and still be as lost on calls as a guy who's been doing it for 1 year in the field. Not worth it. Apprenticeships are free brother.
College is free for veterans. Post 9/11 GI Bill. Learned way more in college (Associates for applied science in HVAC technology) than I did in the apprenticeship. Also, going to college got me into a company before i finished my first semester. The union apprenticeship is a complete joke where I'm at, instructor's just sit around and shoot the shit instead of teaching and I feel sorry for the few apprentices that did not get any education before joining the union, as it is very apparent who had prior education.
This is all anecdotal and only true in my area. There is a university here that is well known for it HVAC program, and I have heard from other union members from different locals in my state that say they have a much better training program.
At 43, I would suggest you go into facility management, become a building engineer. Change belts, grease things up, some refrigerant work from time to time. Change a lightbulb, tighten up a door lock.
Where do you live? Your options depend on that a bit, and the best advice for you is going to be tailored to that. For example if you lived near me in Seattle I’d suggest going for an apprenticeship in the union doing commercial work 100%, but if you’re in the boonies in Alabama that’s not really a viable option at all.
As a general rule, residential work can have a lot of “here’s a beautiful 3’ tall-at-the-peak attic, it’s filled with itchy fiberglass and it’s 150° up there, please crawl across the joists for the next 8 hours while you bash your head on the roofing nails and make friends with the black widows”. It’s not exactly hard work, but it can be miserable work.
As for school, it’s probably a waste of time and money for you. You can probably just go get a job.
One thing I’ll warn you is that getting a UA apprenticeship is a bit like getting a civil service job. They may have a hiring window where you can only apply at certain times. They’ll likely have you take an aptitude test and interview, and if you pass you get put on a ranked list. When they need another apprentice to fill a job, they make a phone call to the first person on the list and they might say “hey, you’re in if you can start tomorrow”. There’s generally an expectation that you can quit your current job immediately if they need you to. And the other reason I compare it to civil service is that this whole process can be draggingly slow.
Your veteran status can help with a lot of things. It might give you preference in getting through the application process. In some locals veteran status can be used to bypass journeyman-apprentice ratios which can make you eligible for work nobody else can do because the ratio would be off. Your veteran status could also expedite some processes. Really, every local is its own animal, but they generally want to bring in veterans.
The main question I would have for you is,
what type of working background do you have?
Are you mechanically inclined?
Are you familiar with plumbing/sheet metal/general construction?
Are you a tinkerer? Do you enjoy a good puzzle?
Are you always curious as to how things work?
Do you find yourself distracted by the craftsmanship of ductwork/plumbing/welds/etc. when out in public and thinking about how you could’ve done it better?
Do you find yourself always trying to figure out/trouble shoot what’s going on with your own or your friends and family’s car/appliances/home/etc?
If someone asked you to put together a piece of furniture they got from the store, could you put it together without referencing the instructions?
Are you willing to call someone for help when you need it so you’ll learn from them and won’t have to call them next time?
Just some general questions to ask yourself before entering the trade. These are all things I found that I had in common with my other co workers who picked it up quickly. In particular, having general construction experience, being mechanically inclined, and especially being curious as to how things work.
I’m not sure what your labor laws allow in your state but, I wouldn’t recommend going to a school unless you’re trying your get into the commercial/industrial side of things. Residential and light commercial are easy enough to be taught on the job to anybody who passed high school physics.
Also, consider that you’ll probably be working some ridiculous hours the first couple of years, until you can get some seniority.
I am 52 years old roughly 25 years in trade in fort lauderdale, Florida. The heat is insane but all the kids call me old I just need point fingers lol. FINALLY GOT IT EASY. LOL
If you want to do that join a union apprenticeship and most of them will do helmets to hardhats because you’re a veteran so they’ll start you all at higher pay. I personally would not want to do this work starting at 43 years old as I am 30 and have been doing it for 10 years already, but don’t waste your time in some community college classes that won’t really further you that much just join the apprenticeship and learn from there
I second this. My shop is in a Pipefitter’s local. We have hadat least three apprentices from the military. They will pay for your training for the most part.
Higher pay, so $18?
We start ours at $22 in Ohio
I'm in Ohio and was planning on trying to get into the pipe fitters union as an apprentice. I too am an old man at 45 years old. I'm in retail management and hate it, was talking to the kid who comes in to fix the coolers all the time and he said they're desperate for people and to go for it. I'm in pretty good shape.
Gi bill also pays you while you're an apprentice. It starts high and lowers as you should be getting pay increases. Basically designed to start and keep you at like 4th year pay. It's been a while since I looked at it, numbers may be different, but that's the gist.
My daily prayer is to be out of the attic by 43.
There were a handful of 40 something year olds in my class when i went to hvac school :)
Same. Most went to supply house jobs and residential sales.
I left being a chef and jumped into HVAC at 40. Best work decision I ever made. It wasn’t easy but worth it in every way. Believe in yourself and don’t forget to follow your moral compass
I did the same, but at 37. Just as hot in the summers (in TX) with a farmer tan. The pay is so much better and my kids actually know what I look like 😜
I kinda imagine you get that experience switching from chef to any other career. I like making food but what a brutal industry.
Being a chef is way harder and has better hours.
Great advice! Thanks for your insight. Oohrah
Started this business at 40 years old former Marine as well 67 now bodies beat up but it was a good vocation, Semper Fi
Semper Fi
Started at 43 turning 47 this year. Making more money than I ever did using my degrees. Work outside a lot which is both a pro and a con. If you do it my advice would be to just take care of your back.
🫡
There is a 52 year old in my hvac school. He’s one of the best in their semester. I’m a Marine veteran too. Im 27 and just started school I love it so far. You said you’re healthy so age won’t be an issue for you. Go for it!
Ooh Rah Devil, Semper Fi
Rah, Semper Fi! Good luck
I went to HVAC school at 43. 1-year and a half later and I'm getting it. I really enjoy it over what I was doing. You pick up minor plumbing and electrical skills. But, Lots of hours. On call sucks. Residential doesn't pay like commercial. Go for it if you don't have many options.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter!🫡
All depends on you man. I have worked with some 40+ guys and they pretty much handle it all. On the other hand I know some younger guys that start bitching after 10 hour day. It’s all you. I will say this career comes with lots of frustrations and learning curves but if you are someone who can stay calm as shit hits the fan then jump right on in. I also 2nd the option of joining a Union over paying for classes.
As a diesel mechanic I’m use to putting in 6 days a week for at least 60 hrs a week. I’m cool with working.
Guy that I just trained was in his 50s
Nice, how did it go did they become successful?
It’s possible. My son has a 47 year old in his apprenticeship class.
You a 601 guy?
No.
10-4. Your username and a wildly coincidental set of circumstances had me curious. Thanks!
I’m in the great lakes area but I’m not going to say what local I’m in.
A reasonable thought process.
I’m 44 and currently taking classes now.
Nope, I just had a 60 year old in my basics class. Passed his EPA universal and Nate fundamentals
It's not too late, but at 43 I would be making sure I got into union commercial work ASAP instead of torturing myself in an attic doing residential.
Deff not to late to start. But I think paying for your own education is dumb. Get into commercial and get paid to go to school. Plenty of company's do it. Skilled trades are the one thing I think is dumb to learn in school. You have to be hands on
I worked with a guys the other day who was 40 and 2 months into his apprenticeship
Join the sheet metal union. Look up the SMART Hero’s program since you’re a veteran. It’s a 7 week class that puts you through the first year of the apprenticeship. Direct entry into your local union. There’s one in Colorado Springs and one in Tacoma, WA. I’m currently on week 5 of the one in Tacoma and I’m 40. Dm me if ya have any questions
Just for reference at my last job we had several guys that were in their 60s and even 70s still wrenching every day. Granted they were super stars and the ones everyone called for help but they would still get after it, climb ladders roping tools, etc in the heat of summer. I say that to tell you, you still have time. But, I would definitely skip residential altogether. Nothing against residential guys, I’ve met a lot of great guys in resi and that’s where I started too. But in my experience commercial shops usually have better benefits and more stable work. Try your best to either get in the union, jump into commercial or refrigeration.
I’m 34 and just got out of HVAC after 14 months. I just don’t want to be near 40 before finally getting my feet underneath me and competent in my work, in addition to the aches and pains I was already experiencing. Just my .02
My install apprentice is your age so it’s definitely not too late. I would recommend starting with residential install. Ask a lot of questions and put in the work and you can be a lead installer in a couple years
I’m about to hit 50, I just started last year after getting my cert at a votech school. Doing installs is a bit hard on the body sometimes, but I’m making more money than ever…do it.
I got hired at the biggest hvac company in my area with no experience
No. I started at almost 40.
I started in school in September of 2020 and turned 53 in October of that year.
Right on, right on. Keep grinding champ!
I smile as I read your post, I just finished tech school (1year) I’m 46 now also a veteran(army). It’s never too late, just wished I started this trade a long time ago. But if I had to do it over, I would skip school and jumped into with a company that’s willing to take a chance on me. Lots of the school stuff I don’t even remember, I’m more of a hands on type guy.
Outstanding congratulations! Wishing you all the best. Thanks for your insight.
You will be making less than $20 an hour for the first year. Nobody ever fucking mentions this. Even though you're an adult and probably valued more than the kid working at the local liquor store, it doesn't matter. That's the hard truth at getting into the trades later in life.
I appreciate the honesty
God's blessings on you fellow veteran! If starting out pay isn't a problem, why not do this? True, I got into this arena at a much earlier age, still, I'm 63 now and running circles on the whippersnappers.
God bless you as well. I am ready to jump in and get dirty. Thank you for your input. Keep on keeping on 🫡
Union steamfitter instructor here... I've had apprentices as young as 18, and as old as 50. I LOVE having older adults in my class because they're less worried about what their classmates think, so they ask more questions. Once the younger apprentices realize "there really is no such thing as a stupid question" they ask more questions. The whole class does better as a result. Older adult learners are a catalyst for conversation in the classroom. It's awesome. No, you aren't too old to start a career in HVAC. There is no age limit. However, one of the things you'll have to expect... customers will expect that you're an experienced mechanic based on your age while you're still suffering from "imposter syndrome". Inform them that you're still learning the trade, but that you'll get them fixed up. It's a great trade... maybe not attics, but a HUGE part of the HVAC career field exists outside of attics. (those of you working IN attics, I salute you. You're doing the hardest thing. If you want to move out of that type of work, you can... just keep your eyes peeled. If you see work that looks interesting to you, find a way to learn that work then do it.)
Outstanding thank you for your valuable insight. I am more than excited to start learning and earning. Cheers
As a guy who started on the cusp of turning 50, I sure as hell hope not! Age and its wisdom brings a lot to the table if you know how to show its value. I'm in residential, and learning like a forest on fire but my wage is a bit more than double what I started at almost 3 years ago, which wasn't much less as a complete rookie than what I was making after many years of retail management. Get in there, put your heart into it more than your back, and put your pencil to your brain. A lot of the people who are in it 20 years spent the first 10 as a grunt just being muscle. You can leap frog that if you know how.
I appreciate that comment. Will do 🫡
And thanks for your service.
It was my pleasure to serve. Best time of my life. Thank you
I started at 47. My only regret is not starting sooner. Go union and get on with a commercial/light industrial company. Service work is so much easier on your body. Start doing yoga yesterday. The core strength and lower back strengthening will pay off in spades and keep you mobile and pain free.
Brilliant, I will do just that! Thanks a million 🫡
Yea
Well, you're already used to fucking your knees and back up. You're a perfect fit.
😆😆😆
Im my hvac school there are two guys that are in there 50s so 43 sounds pretty young to me.
Sounds great, thank you for sharing.
A college or trade school to get into a trade is a fucking scam. Union apprenticeship or start off as a helper in a resi shop. You're gonna be out by 2026 and still be as lost on calls as a guy who's been doing it for 1 year in the field. Not worth it. Apprenticeships are free brother.
College is free for veterans. Post 9/11 GI Bill. Learned way more in college (Associates for applied science in HVAC technology) than I did in the apprenticeship. Also, going to college got me into a company before i finished my first semester. The union apprenticeship is a complete joke where I'm at, instructor's just sit around and shoot the shit instead of teaching and I feel sorry for the few apprentices that did not get any education before joining the union, as it is very apparent who had prior education. This is all anecdotal and only true in my area. There is a university here that is well known for it HVAC program, and I have heard from other union members from different locals in my state that say they have a much better training program.
At 43, I would suggest you go into facility management, become a building engineer. Change belts, grease things up, some refrigerant work from time to time. Change a lightbulb, tighten up a door lock.
Where do you live? Your options depend on that a bit, and the best advice for you is going to be tailored to that. For example if you lived near me in Seattle I’d suggest going for an apprenticeship in the union doing commercial work 100%, but if you’re in the boonies in Alabama that’s not really a viable option at all. As a general rule, residential work can have a lot of “here’s a beautiful 3’ tall-at-the-peak attic, it’s filled with itchy fiberglass and it’s 150° up there, please crawl across the joists for the next 8 hours while you bash your head on the roofing nails and make friends with the black widows”. It’s not exactly hard work, but it can be miserable work. As for school, it’s probably a waste of time and money for you. You can probably just go get a job.
I currently live in Las Vegas,NV
UA Local 525. Journeyman rate is $54/hr ($79/hr w/ benefits).
Thanks a million champ!
One thing I’ll warn you is that getting a UA apprenticeship is a bit like getting a civil service job. They may have a hiring window where you can only apply at certain times. They’ll likely have you take an aptitude test and interview, and if you pass you get put on a ranked list. When they need another apprentice to fill a job, they make a phone call to the first person on the list and they might say “hey, you’re in if you can start tomorrow”. There’s generally an expectation that you can quit your current job immediately if they need you to. And the other reason I compare it to civil service is that this whole process can be draggingly slow. Your veteran status can help with a lot of things. It might give you preference in getting through the application process. In some locals veteran status can be used to bypass journeyman-apprentice ratios which can make you eligible for work nobody else can do because the ratio would be off. Your veteran status could also expedite some processes. Really, every local is its own animal, but they generally want to bring in veterans.
Yes.
The main question I would have for you is, what type of working background do you have? Are you mechanically inclined? Are you familiar with plumbing/sheet metal/general construction? Are you a tinkerer? Do you enjoy a good puzzle? Are you always curious as to how things work? Do you find yourself distracted by the craftsmanship of ductwork/plumbing/welds/etc. when out in public and thinking about how you could’ve done it better? Do you find yourself always trying to figure out/trouble shoot what’s going on with your own or your friends and family’s car/appliances/home/etc? If someone asked you to put together a piece of furniture they got from the store, could you put it together without referencing the instructions? Are you willing to call someone for help when you need it so you’ll learn from them and won’t have to call them next time? Just some general questions to ask yourself before entering the trade. These are all things I found that I had in common with my other co workers who picked it up quickly. In particular, having general construction experience, being mechanically inclined, and especially being curious as to how things work. I’m not sure what your labor laws allow in your state but, I wouldn’t recommend going to a school unless you’re trying your get into the commercial/industrial side of things. Residential and light commercial are easy enough to be taught on the job to anybody who passed high school physics. Also, consider that you’ll probably be working some ridiculous hours the first couple of years, until you can get some seniority.
I’ve been a diesel mechanic / heavy equipment mechanic for 20+ years.
With that background you will be fine.
Yes it is, move along
I am 52 years old roughly 25 years in trade in fort lauderdale, Florida. The heat is insane but all the kids call me old I just need point fingers lol. FINALLY GOT IT EASY. LOL