AIRAH 2022 HVAC&R Salary Survey

AIRAH 2022 HVAC&R Salary Survey

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”.
Which of the following best describes your working arrangement?
Which, if any, of the following job titles BEST describes your current role?
Approximately, how many years in total have you worked in roles that involve HVAC&R-specific activities?
Do you mainly work in a capital city or a regional area?
How likely, if at all, are you to change your employer in the next 12 years?
Which ONE of the following best describes the sector within which your organisation operates?
What is your gross annual base salary (excluding bonuses and other benefits)?
To what extent do you expect your pay and benefits package to decrease or increase in the next 12 months?
Approximately how long have you been with your current employer?
What is your gender?
What age group are you in?
What do you consider the prospects for the economy over the next 12 months? (individual)
What do you consider the prospects for the economy over the next 12 months? (organisation)
What do you consider the prospects for the economy over the next 12 months? (economy as a whole)

For more information on AIRAH’s HVAC&R Salary Survey, please visit airah.org.au/salarysurvey

The first edition  was conducted in 2019. Find out more and view the results from 491 industry professionals.

Ecolibrium – November 2022 cover

This article appears in ecolibrium’s NOVEMBER 2022 issue

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