Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Summary

What Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Do About this section

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.

Duties

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called HVAC technicians—typically do the following:

• Install, maintain, and repair HVACR systems
• Install electrical components and wiring
• Inspect and test HVACR systems and components
• Discuss system malfunctions with customers
• Repair or replace worn or defective parts
• Recommend maintenance to improve system performance
• Keep records of work performed

HVAC technicians ensure that heating and air conditioning systems work properly to control the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in buildings. Some HVAC technicians specialize in one or more aspects of HVACR, such as radiant heating systems, testing and balancing, or commercial refrigeration in establishments such as grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. In addition, some technicians focus on installing HVACR systems while others primarily repair and maintain them.

HVAC technicians who specialize in residential systems may sell service contracts to their customers, providing periodic maintenance of heating and cooling systems. The service usually includes inspecting the system, cleaning ducts, replacing filters, and checking refrigerant levels.

When installing or repairing air conditioning and refrigeration systems, technicians must follow regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants. These regulations concern the proper handling and disposal of fluids and pressurized gases.

For data on workers who service window air conditioners and household refrigerators, see home appliance repairers.

Work Environment About this section

HVAC technicians work indoors and outdoors.

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 441,200 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were as follows:

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians) work in homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. Technicians may be assigned to a single jobsite or to several locations at the beginning of the day. They then travel to each site, making service calls.

Although most technicians work indoors, some may service or repair equipment outdoors in all types of weather. Technicians often work in awkward or cramped spaces, and some work in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating system is not working properly.

Injuries and Illnesses

HVAC technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Potential hazards include burns from electrical parts or chemicals and muscle strains or sprains from handling heavy equipment or machinery.

Appropriate safety equipment is necessary in handling refrigerants, which are hazardous. HVAC technicians reduce their risk of injury by using proper lifting technique and wearing personal protective equipment. This gear may include special clothing, safety goggles, or masks.

Work Schedules

Most HVAC technicians work full time, and schedules may vary to include evening or weekend shifts. They may be on call for emergencies and sometimes work overtime or irregular schedules during peak heating and cooling seasons.

How to Become a Heating, Air Conditioning, or Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer About this section

HVAC technicians must be able to identify problems with malfunctioning systems and determine the best way to repair them.

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians) typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. HVAC technicians may need a license or certification.

Education and Training

HVAC technicians typically need postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.

Employers sometimes consider candidates whose highest level of education is a high school diploma. High school students interested in becoming an HVAC technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics.

Newly hired HVAC technicians typically work alongside experienced technicians. They begin with basic tasks, such as insulating refrigerant lines or cleaning furnaces. In time, they take on more difficult tasks, including cutting and soldering pipes or checking electrical circuits.

Some technicians train through an apprenticeship program, which usually lasts several years. Apprenticeships include paid on-the-job training, as well as some technical instruction, each year. Over the course of the apprenticeship, technicians learn about topics such as safety practices, blueprint reading, and heating and cooling systems. They also learn to use a variety of tools.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires nearly all HVAC technicians to be certified in proper refrigerant handling. Certification requires passing an exam, which is typically included as part of completing a postsecondary HVACR program.

In addition, some states and localities require HVAC technicians to be licensed; check with your state and locality for more information.

Manufacturer or industry certification is available for HVAC technicians. For example, North American Technical Excellence (NATE) and the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) offer entry-level and specialist certifications. Many certifications are optional, although some employers prefer or require specific types.  

HVAC technicians may need a driver’s license to travel to jobsites.

Important Qualities

Customer-service skills. HVAC technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so they must be friendly, polite, and punctual.

Detail oriented. HVAC technicians must maintain complete records of work performed, including the amount of time it took and specific parts and equipment that were used.

Math skills. HVAC technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the HVACR equipment properly heats or cools the space required.

Mechanical skills. HVAC technicians install and work on complicated climate-control systems, so they must understand the HVACR components and be able to properly assemble, repair, and program them, as needed.

Physical stamina. HVAC technicians may be required to work in confined or uncomfortable spaces and spend many hours walking, standing, or crouching.

Physical strength. HVAC technicians may have to lift and support heavy equipment and components.

Problem-solving skills. HVAC technicians must be able to identify problems with malfunctioning HVACR systems and then determine the best way to repair them.

Technology skills. Modern HVACR systems contain computerized components and networking features that HVAC technicians must be able to install or repair.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $57,300 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,250.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most HVAC technicians work full time, and schedules may vary to include evening or weekend shifts. They may be on call for emergencies and sometimes work overtime or irregular schedules during peak heating and cooling seasons.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 42,500 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive employment growth. The growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems is also expected to increase demand for qualified heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians).

Repair and replacement of HVACR systems is a large part of what technicians do. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and pollution reduction is likely to increase the demand for HVAC technicians as climate-control systems are retrofitted, upgraded, or replaced entirely.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local HVACR contractors, firms that employ HVAC technicians, or local union-management HVAC apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities. 

For more information about career opportunities, training, and certification, visit

Associated Builders and Contractors

North American Technician Excellence

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association

Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association

Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, and Service Techs

O*NET

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers