Our review of industry remuneration has revealed some intriguing narratives.

AIRAH last ran a survey of industry salaries in 2019. Back then, almost 500 (491) individuals replied, providing a critical mass, we thought, to accurately reflect industry trends.

In 2022 that number became 1,552 industry professionals from every state and territory completing the survey.

How to account for the growth? Perhaps with many working from home for the better part of two years, there was curiosity about how others were faring, and how salaries compared to others.

Perhaps it was the better prizes on offer for completing the survey? Whatever the reason, the greater volume of responses has provided even more insight into our industry.

Explore the full results

AIRAH members have exclusive first-access to the full results of the 2023 HVAC&R Salary Survey. Please visit airah.org.au/ss22 to take a look. This information will be shared with the public in January 2023.

Highlights and observations

Most responses were received from NSW (330 responses), Queensland (257) and Victoria (232). The data in this report provides a comparative analysis of the survey responses provided by all participants.
Half of those surveyed have a gross annual base salary of $100,000 or more. In 2022, 18% of survey participants earn $150,000 or more, compared to 12% in 2019.
The state with the highest proportion of respondents with a gross annual base salary of $100,000 or more is Queensland (58.8%) ahead of Western Australia (58.2%) and Victoria (51.7%).
Two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed say there will be an increase in their pay and benefits over the next year, compared to 61% in 2019.
Victoria is the state where individuals are most negative about the possibility of an increase in pay and benefits over next year – 40% say it will “decrease” or “no change”.
ACT is the state least likely to be negative on pay and benefits over the next 12 months – less than 30% say it will “decrease” or “no change”.
About one-third (33%) of those surveyed say they will “fairly likely” or “very likely” change their employers in the next 12 months, compared to 20% in 2019.
The number of survey participants who have been with their current employer for five years or more dropped from 50% in 2019 to 33% in 2022.
Optimism about the economy trumps pessimism, with 38% of survey participants describing the economic prospects over the next 12 months as “excellent” or “good”. This is versus the 23% who say the economic prospects are “poor” or “very poor”.