Moving up in the trades

You know the work. This guide is about what comes next: the steps from apprentice to master, the licenses and cards that open doors, and how to make your case for more responsibility and more pay. It is written for HVAC, plumbing and electrical, but most of it applies to any trade.

The ladder

Most trades follow the same rough path. The names and rules change by state, but the steps look like this.

Apprentice

• You learn on the job under a journeyman or master.
• You usually pair paid work hours with classroom training.
• You move up by logging your hours, finishing your classes, and showing you can do the work safely.

Journeyman

• You generally work on your own, without direct supervision.
• You may train and supervise apprentices.
• Most people get here by finishing an apprenticeship and passing a license exam, if your state or city has one.

Master

• In many states a master license lets you pull permits, and it is often the step toward a contractor license.
• You plan jobs, sign off on work, and answer for code compliance.
• Most people get here with more years as a journeyman and another exam. The details vary by state.

Lead or foreman

• You run a job site or a small crew day to day.
• You set the plan, keep the job on schedule, and deal with problems as they come up.
• This step is about trust more than a license. People get here by being reliable, showing up prepared, and helping newer techs get better.
• Many leads are journeymen. You don't need a master license for this step.

Service manager or owner

• You run the schedule, the techs, and the numbers behind them.
• You handle hiring, training, customer problems, and keeping the shop busy and profitable.
• Some people get here by moving up inside one company. Others start their own shop once they hold the license their state requires to run one.

Want more detail on license levels? Read apprentice vs journeyman vs master.

Licensing depends on your state

There is no single national rule for trade licenses. Each state, and sometimes each city or county, sets its own hour requirements, exams, and license names. Some states license HVAC work and some do not. Some honor licenses from other states and some do not.

• Look up your state licensing board for your trade before you plan your next step.
• Ask what counts toward your hours and how you need to document them.
• Keep your own record of hours, jobs, and supervisors. Do not rely on memory.
• If you might move, check the rules in the new state first.

Certifications worth knowing

EPA Section 608

If you work in HVAC or refrigeration, this one is not optional. Federal law requires Section 608 certification to buy most refrigerants and to do work that opens the refrigerant system, like charging, recovering, or fixing leaks. Apprentices can do this work under a certified tech while they get certified. It comes in four types: Type I, Type II, Type III, and Universal, which covers all three.

NATE

NATE certification is voluntary, but many HVAC employers recognize it. It is a way to show what you know in a specific area, like installation or service.

OSHA 10 and OSHA 30

These are safety training cards. For trades work, get the Construction version. OSHA 10 is a 10-hour course meant for workers. OSHA 30 is a 30-hour course meant for supervisors. OSHA itself does not require the cards, but some states and many contractors require one of them before you can work on their sites. If you want to lead a crew, OSHA 30 is a good card to have.

Resume and interview checklist

On your resume

• Your license type, license number, and state.
• Every certification and card, like EPA 608, NATE, or OSHA 10 or 30.
• The kinds of work you do: residential or commercial, service or install, new build or retrofit.
• Equipment and systems you know well.
• Whether you have a clean driving record and your own tools, if that applies.
• Times you trained someone, led a job, or fixed a problem others could not.
• Keep it to one page. Short lines are fine.

In the interview

• Bring a copy of your license and cards, or photos on your phone.
• Have one or two stories ready about a tough call you solved.
• Be ready to talk about safety and how you deal with customers.
• Be honest about what you have not done yet. Then say how you would learn it.
• Ask your own questions. The next section has a list.

Questions to ask an employer

A good shop will have clear answers. If they do not, that tells you something too.

• What training do you offer, and who pays for it?
• Will you help me log hours toward my next license?
• Do you pay for certifications or license exams?
• How do raises work here, and how often are they reviewed?
• What does someone need to show to move up to lead or foreman?
• Who will I ride along with or learn from in my first months?
• How is on call handled, and how is it paid?
• Who here started where I am now, and where are they today?

From doing the work to running a crew

Being the best tech on the truck does not make you a good lead on its own. Running a crew is a different job.

• Your job shifts from doing the work to making sure the work gets done right.
• Teach instead of taking over. It is slower at first and faster later.
• Be clear about the plan for the day and who owns each part.
• Give feedback early and in private. Give credit in public.
• Learn the business side: how jobs are priced, what callbacks cost, and why schedules matter.
• Ask your boss for small chances to lead before you ask for the title.

What the pay looks like

Pay depends a lot on your trade and your state. See what people earn where you live:

• Plumber salary by state
• Electrician salary by state
• HVAC technician salary by state