Career Overview
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Also Known As
- HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic)
- Refrigeration Mechanic
- Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech)
- Service Technician (Service Tech)
Alternate Job Titles
- A/C Installer-Servicer (Air Conditioning Installer-Servicer)
- A/C Mechanic (Air Conditioner Mechanic)
- A/C Service Tech (Air Conditioning Service Technician)
- A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician)
- Air and Hydronic Balancing Technician
- Air Conditioning Specialist (A/C Specialist)
- Attic Fans Mechanic
- Baseboard Heating Installer
- Blower Installer
- Blower Mechanic
- Bulk Cooler Installer
- Commercial HVAC Service Tech (Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician)
- Commercial HVAC Tech (Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician)
- Commercial Refrigeration Service Tech (Commercial Refrigeration Service Technician)
- Cooling Technician (Cooling Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
- Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
- Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
- Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
- Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
- Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.
- Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Inductive Reasoning
- Manual Dexterity
- Visualization
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- 4-wire resistance sensors
- Acetylene torches
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Air flow hoods
- Air flow sensors
- Air velocity meters
- Air volume test equipment
- Allen wrenches
- Alternating current AC line splitters
- Ammeters
- Anemometers
- Autoranging meters
- Awls
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $39,130 |
| Median | $59,810 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $91,020 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 396,870
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $75,190
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $62,970
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $74,690
Home Appliance Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,410
Boilermakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $73,340
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.