Occupational Demand for HVAC Workers in San Diego, CA
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Sept. 2019), HVAC workers occupy a high-growth and relatively lucrative career. In fact, the BLS projected a 13 percent increase in HVAC openings across the country between 2018 and 2028—the addition of 46,300 positions—which is more than double the average growth expected across all jobs during that same decade (5 percent). And in the Golden State, the prospects are even brighter. As proof of point, Projections Central (2020) predicted a 19.6 percent increase in HVAC opportunities in California between 2016 and 2026. This is significantly greater than the national figure and nearly four times the growth expected across all jobs.
Currently, California employs the second most HVAC mechanics and installers of any US state, just behind Florida. The BLS (March 2019) found that there were 27,720 HVAC professionals across CA, with many of them concentrated in the relatively warm climates of the southern regions.
There are several factors contributing to the healthy employment climate for HVAC technicians in San Diego and beyond. First, these systems generally need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years and require regular servicing. Second, local laws, regulations, and technologies are continually evolving, which also leads to a steady stream of system upgrades. Additionally, nearly all buildings in San Diego have climate control systems and, especially in areas with high rates of construction, there’s a demand for the installation of brand-new equipment.
According to the BLS (Sept. 2019), 9 percent of HVAC workers nationwide were self-employed, and 64 percent worked in the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contracting industry. The remainder were employed by institutions and in the retail and wholesale trades. Some of them work normal business hours, and others may be called upon to work evenings, weekends, or holidays, especially in the summer when demand for air conditioning and refrigeration services peaks.
As proof of the thriving employment climate, Indeed (2020) had numerous HVAC jobs posted in the SD area, including opportunities at Legacy Air, Trane, Airtec, DMG, Precision Temperature, Bay Air Systems, UC San Diego, General Atomics, and San Diego Natural History Museum, among others. The job openings include calls for installers, mechanics, facilities managers, and similar. Monster (2020) lists more than 200 openings, including positions with CBRE, EMCOR, Pacific Rim Mechanical Contractors, Sodexo, Johnson Controls, ABM Industries, Sears, and the County of San Diego.