Technical careers have been and continue to be highly sought after thanks to the promising job outlook, market demand, and rewarding compensation packages. One such career is that of an HVAC technician.
HVAC careers involve installing, repairing, maintaining, and managing heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and related equipment.
If you are contemplating whether HVAC or HVAC/R (refrigeration) is a good career choice, here’s everything you need to know about the career path.
Table of Contents
A Quick Snapshot of HVAC Tech as a Career
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| Common Duties | Install, maintain, repair ventilation and air conditioning systems in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. |
| Entry-Level Training | Vocational training |
| Projected Job Growth | 4% through 2029 |
| Certification Required | Associate’s Degree in HVAC or a similar discipline or North American Technical Excellence certification (NATE). Requirements differ according to the state and employer. |
| Salary | According to the BLS, HVAC technicians, mechanics, and installers make $48,730 annually or $23.43 per hour. |
| Where they work | Often work with HVAC contractors and HVAC systems management companies or are self-employed. |
Common Duties
An HVAC technician’s primary job is to install, maintain, repair ventilation and air conditioning systems in residential, commercial, or industrial settings.
Entry-Level Training
Formal training from a vocational college or trade school is ideal for assuming an entry-level position in the HVAC industry. In some cases, your high-school diploma can be the basis for your on-the-job training.
Projected Job Growth
HVAC technicians are in massive demand in the United States (and across the globe). The jobs in this sector will grow by 4% through 2028.
Certification Required
Apart from an associate’s degree in HVAC, certain employers or regions require you to possess certifications like the North American Technical Excellence (popularly referred to as NATE). These requirements vary by state and employer.
Salaries
According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the median annual wage for HVAC technicians, mechanics, and installers is $48,730 or $23.43 per hour.
Where HVAC Service Technicians Work
HVAC professionals often work with HVAC contractors and HVAC systems management companies. Alternatively, an HVAC technician can be self-employed.
Job Opportunities
Entry-level positions
- HVAC Systems Tech
- HVACR Assistant
- HVACR Maintenance Tech
- Refrigeration Mechanic
- Air Conditioning Installer
Mid-level positions
- HVACR Maintenance Manager
- HVACR Controls Technician
- HVACR Service Manager
Senior-level positions
- Chief Mechanical Engineer
- HVACR Maintenance Director
- HVACR Controls Systems Engineer
- HVACR Service Director
Enroll for a Refrigeration/Air Conditioning/Heating Technology Associate Degree Program at New England Tech today!
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HVAC Technician Job Outlook
As mentioned above, the future is bright in terms of career opportunities and jobs available for technicians with the right set of skills, knowledge, and HVAC training.
With rapid developments on the infrastructure, construction, and industrial fronts, HVAC technician employment will continue to present excellent job prospects in the future.
A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician
HVAC techs work under contractors or companies that install, repair, maintain, service, and troubleshoot small- or large-scale HVACR systems. If something goes wrong with any heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration system, HVAC techs make sure they resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.
Work Schedule and Standard Duties
Depending on where you work, a typical day on the job could involve one or many of the following tasks:
- Reading blueprints and HVAC equipment specs
- Assembling HVACR systems and mounting the equipment
- Cutting or drilling holes in building structures
- Installing new HVACR units in a residential or commercial setting
- Installing thermostats, humidistats, and timers
- Connecting HVACR units to electrical, water, and fuel sources
- Testing piping or tubing joints for leakages
- Testing electrical circuits or components
- Testing or repairing defective units or parts
- Enhancing system performance by replacing filters, cleaning ducts, etc.
Is HVAC the Right Career for You?
Back to the all-important question – is HVAC a good career? Yes, it is a rewarding job with great employment prospects and corresponding salaries. Whether HVAC work is good or not is not really the question – you should ask yourself if you can picture yourself doing this kind of work.
- You must understand the science behind refrigeration, ventilation, air conditioning, and heating systems.
- The job involves traveling to different site locations for installation and maintenance work.
- Employers expect you to possess the practical skills required for troubleshooting everyday problems.
- You should be able to adapt to any work environment or project – residential or commercial.
- You must have the will to learn on the job and be dynamic.
Final Verdict
So, have we answered all your questions yet? Is HVAC a good career choice? Yes, it definitely is. But in the end, it is up to you to decide! Soak in all the information given above and make an informed decision.
If you have your heart set on pursuing an HVAC career, head to our program page to know how an associate degree can help you! New England Tech is one of the top 10 institutes for pursuing your career in HVAC.
We offer an associate degree in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating technology that can provide the upper hand needed to land HVAC jobs in the industry.
If you are on the lookout for a program that sets you on course for mid- or higher-level positions in the construction industry, you can opt for our bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management. These programs are built to enable you to become qualified construction managers by learning an advanced blend of relevant subjects.
These opportunities can also help further your earning potential. According to the BLS, qualified construction managers and facilities managers stand to earn a median pay of $97,180 and $98,890 per year.
START YOUR HVAC CAREER
Earn your degree in HVAC from NEIT and begin your new career path today!
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
FAQs
Is HVAC a demanding career?
Yes, but isn’t that the case with any career? As long as you have the drive to learn, work hard, and succeed, no career is too hard. Of course, building a successful career in HVAC will need you to have the theoretical, practical, and working knowledge of physics, mathematics, and the mechanical and electrical aspects of heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration.
Are HVAC techs in high demand?
Yes, the career outlook for HVAC technicians is phenomenal. The booming construction industry and the expanding scope of industrial and residential projects are fueling this demand.
Is HVAC easy to learn?
It depends on what approach you take. Learning on the job is tougher compared to formal education. Colleges around the United States offer wide-ranging training programs in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating technology that teach you the fundamentals of these subjects.
New England Tech‘s comprehensive training program (Associate Degree Program in Refrigeration/Air Conditioning/Heating Technology) helps you become entry-to-industry level technicians.
Do HVAC technicians make good money?
According to the BLS, HVAC technicians earn $48,730 annually or $23.43 per hour (median average). As is the case with any profession, your earning capacity will increase with experience. Having HVAC certification can also enable you to demand a better salary in the market.