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What is an ac technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
introduction image
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an ac technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.0 an hour? That's $49,910 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 20,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreAC TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,910

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 2.44%

Black or African American 6.53%

Hispanic or Latino 25.10%

Unknown 4.11%

White 61.10%

Gender

female 4.82%

male 95.18%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Ac technician career paths

Key steps to become an ac technician

  1. Explore ac technician education requirements

    Most common ac technician degrees

    High School Diploma

    35.0 %

    Associate

    18.4 %

    Diploma

    18.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific ac technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    HVAC17.69%
    Safety Procedures10.11%
    Preventive Maintenance8.90%
    Plumbing7.65%
    Service Calls6.04%
  3. Complete relevant ac technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New ac technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an ac technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real ac technician resumes.
  4. Gain additional ac technician certifications

    Ac technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific ac technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for ac technicians include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Air Conditioning Service Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research ac technician duties and responsibilities

    • Install, maintain, and repair HVAC/R equipment and associate control systems.
    • Air conditioning technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
    • Repair and service HVAC/R and relate equipment.
    • Assist A/C technicians, check freon level and add freon as needed.
  6. Prepare your ac technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your ac technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an ac technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable ac technician resume templates

    Build a professional ac technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your ac technician resume.
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
    AC Technician Resume
  7. Apply for ac technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an ac technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first ac technician job

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Average ac technician salary

The average ac technician salary in the United States is $49,910 per year or $24 per hour. Ac technician salaries range between $33,000 and $73,000 per year.

Average ac technician salary
$49,910 Yearly
$24.00 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do ac technicians rate their job?

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Ac technician reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Different work environment ,people , equipment types . Technology

Cons

None recognition for excellence


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

Love the constant change and challenge of the work. Being outside and on the go instead of in a building or office all day.

Cons

As minimum wage increases and prices increase, the wages are not changing for the Technicians already in the field. New come in at a higher rate and as a result the more experienced people are losing money.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019
Pros

I like to work with my hands and the feeling of a job well done.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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