Installation, maintenance and repair
HVAC technician
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Median pay
$61,010
Growth to 2035
+11%
faster than average
Openings a year
40,600
Time to qualify*
2.8 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
HVAC technician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
- Required
- EPA Section 608 certification · State or local HVAC license in many areas
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
HVAC technician: 17% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
- Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
- Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
- Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
- Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
- Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
- Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
Also called: AC Mechanic (Air Conditioner Mechanic) · AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician) · HVAC Control Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Control Technician) · HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer) · HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic) · HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician) · HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician) · Refrigeration Mechanic
Outlook and AI
HVAC technicians held 440,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 489,100 by 2035 (+11%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- HVAC technician vs. Electrician
- HVAC technician vs. Electrician
- HVAC technician vs. Plumber
- HVAC technician vs. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- HVAC technician vs. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
- HVAC technician vs. Home appliance repairer
- HVAC technician vs. Boilermaker
- HVAC technician vs. Maintenance and repair workers, general
- HVAC technician vs. Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other
- HVAC technician vs. Industrial machinery mechanic
- HVAC technician vs. Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers