HVAC Technicians are in high demand.
They are responsible for installing, diagnostics, and repairing heating and cooling systems, including refrigeration.
Whether it’s a hot summer or a cold winter, their specific work is essential for many homes and commercial buildings.
While primarily known for working on home heating and cooling systems, they can work on automobiles, appliances, and commercial carriers.
HVAC Technician Job Information
| Official Job Title | HVAC Technician |
| Average Salary | $48,400 |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work/ Life | Average |
| Job Satisfaction | Below Average |
| Career Advancement | Average |
HVAC Technician Job Description
What Is A HVAC Technician?
This professional technician position focuses on heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems for homes and businesses.
This can range from a variety of problems that could come from air systems, whether the failure of the units to the air quality.
They can work on a regular schedule or in emergencies.
Their general hours are a fairly typical 9 am to 5 pm job.
However, some of these additional hours happen depending on the role and the problems they face.
What Does A HVAC Technician Do Daily?
Regularly, they are working in your home, outside it, in the attic, or the crawl space.
They work with many different types of units, too, anything from heating, cooling, and refrigeration.
Their busiest times of the year are severe hot or cold weather.
The rest of the year, they do minimal repairs or installations.
Responsibilities, Duties & Roles Of A Technician
The duties and responsibilities of an HVAC technician vary to different degrees.
However, they do the following assignments with their jobs—installation, repair, and removal of air conditioning units and heat pumps.
They diagnose electrical and mechanical issues within all kinds of HVAC systems.
Lastly, they do general maintenance and warranty work.
HVAC Technician Salary
Average Salary
The average salary of an HVAC technician is $48,400 a year.
Starting Salary
The starting salary typically comes in around $37,453 annually.
This seems consistent across many job board websites and any online posting for starting with significant companies nationwide.
Senior Salary
HVAC technicians with 4-6 years of experience make around $65,400 annually.
The most senior HVAC technicians can make $87,912 on average.
At the same time, some who work independently might make more.
How To Become A HVAC Technician
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
All you need to start as an HVAC Technician is a high school diploma.
While you can get additional training with independent classes or an Associate’s degree, these are not always necessary.
Most of the time, starting with a high school diploma gets someone in the door, and then further training can be acquired later.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
To become a certified HVAC technician or even a master technician, you have two to four years of experience in the field and complete certification exams.
Otherwise, most of the additional training or skills needed are specific to what HVAC areas a technician works within.
How Long Does It Take To Become A HVAC Technician?
Becoming certified only takes two years.
To become a master technician, it takes another two to four years of experience and additional training.
However, to start working for a heating and cooling company, there isn’t much else needed.
Is It Hard To Become A HVAC Technician?
It is not hard to break into the field.
The certifications take studying and a test.
From reviewing what other technicians are saying, it is not difficult to become an HVAC technician.
HVAC Career Paths
The HVAC Roadmap
There are three primary levels to the HVAC technician’s carrier path.
There is the general service technician, the certified, and the senior service technician.
After that, you can get in a lead or master technician.
From there on is dependent upon working for your specific company.
Projections For Growth In HVAC Jobs
From 2016 to 2026, the projected growth rate for this job is 5%.
However, in places with a minor change in their weather, the need is far less.
Currently, the growth rate is on target for projections.
In Summary: Is HVAC A Good Career?
Overall, job satisfaction is low for this particular job.
While it is straightforward to get into this career, it is also one with lower pay overall.
This and the fact that technicians can work challenging hours during peak seasons leads to lower ratings.
Working Conditions
Can A HVAC Technician Work Remotely From Home?
This is not a position where you work remotely.
In nearly every situation, the HVAC technician works on-site in someone’s home or at a business location.
A technical job requires technicians to be in person with the equipment they are working on for every project.
How Many Hours Does A HVAC Technician Work?
At any given time, they can work a typical 40-hour week.
However, if the technician works for himself or is in a busy season, they can work longer hours.
This is a job where operating outside of the 40-hour workweek is possible.
Can A HVAC Technician Work Part-Time?
Yes.
There are many instances where an HVAC technician can work part-time.
This can happen due to lower work volume or if someone chooses to do so.
Sometimes this happens with a technician who is on-call during hours outside of regular business hours.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A HVAC Technician?
Most companies allow for two weeks of paid vacation a year.
Of course, if the technician is self-employed, that is entirely up to them.
However, the available starting time off is two weeks per year, with the potential for more the longer you are with a company.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to an HVAC Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Petroleum Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Surveyor
- Radiologic Technologist
- Cost Estimator
- Ironworker
- Safety Engineer
- Supervisor
- Heavy Equipment Operator
HVAC Technician Resume Tips
There are three main things to focus on when it comes to building your resume as an HVAC Technician:
- Focus on HVAC-specific skills, words, and qualifications.
- Share your achievements for work in specific numbers.
- Focus on your customer service skills for moments when you interact with customers.
HVAC Technician Interview Questions
Below are a few questions that you will likely encounter in an interview that will be very important for you to answer satisfactorily:
Q1: How do you deal with a demanding customer?
Why it works: When you are on the job, customers will ultimately interact with you.
If they have a terrible attitude or other bad experiences, they may project these on you.
It is essential to know how you handle this when the company isn’t there to help.
Q2: Can you show or explain what you would do when (HVAC problem) happens while you are on the job site?
Why it works: The company you are working for wants to know the extent of your knowledge and skill.
These situations will help them understand your knowledge base and how you problem-solve.
Q3: Explain how (heating/cooling/refrigeration) system works in simple terms.
Another way to see how well you will do with customers and how well you know your business is to explain the details of different systems.
Being able to explain these details establishes creditability.
Jobs Related To HVAC Technicians
- Air Conditioning Technician
- HVAC Engineer
- HVAC Installer
- Refrigeration Technician
- HVAC Mechanic
- Solar Technician
- Wind Turbine Technicians
For HR Managers: Tips For Hiring A HVAC Technician
Key Characteristics To Look For In A HVAC Technician
Some essential characteristics to look for in technicians are their ability to work with customers and coworkers.
An important focus is their willingness to work in all weather conditions.
Lastly, it is crucial to consider their technical knowledge of any particular HVAC topic.
Minimum Level Of Education & Experience
The minimum level of education required for a technician is a high school diploma.
You can start with little to no experience.
However, the more experience or education you have will help you get a job with most companies.