How to hire an air conditioning installer

How to hire an air conditioning installer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step air conditioning installer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an air conditioning installer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new air conditioning installer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the air conditioning installer you need to hire. Certain air conditioning installer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An air conditioning installer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, air conditioning installers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of air conditioning installers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Air Conditioning Installer	Description	Hourly rate
   Air Conditioning Installer	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.	$14-29
   Hvac Mechanic	An HVAC mechanic specializes in installing and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities revolve around communicating with clients to identify their needs, troubleshooting, identifying the root of issues, and performing corrective measures... Show more	$16-35
   Hvac-R Technician	HVAC-R Technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems. Their duties include repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC-R equipment and systems, inspect equipment maintenance risks, diagnose mechanical and electrical faults, adjusting and cleaning systems, and carrying out warranty services... Show more	$16-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Duct Systems
   • Air-Conditioning Systems
   • Safety Procedures
   • Brazing
   • Hot Water
   • Evaporators
   • Air Handlers
   • Water Intake
   • Residential Homes
   • Condensers
   • Trouble Shoot
   • Equipment Components
   • Air Ducts

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
   • Assist skilled workers while learning their trade install ac units run duct clean job site
   • Install roof tops air conditioning systems air conditioning condensers, duct work installations, and mini-split installs.
   • Full installations on mobile homes including furnace, and A/C unit with copper lines and wire unit.
   • Configure Cat6 cabling/wall jack terminations, testing voice/data line activity to confirm connections.
   • Can do simple repairs like change contactors or capacitors.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your air conditioning installer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An air conditioning installer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, air conditioning installers' average salary in west virginia is 59% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level air conditioning installers 51% less than senior-level air conditioning installers.
   • Certifications. An air conditioning installer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an air conditioning installer's salary.

   Average air conditioning installer salary

   $43,207yearly

   $20.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level air conditioning installer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an air conditioning installer job description

   A job description for an air conditioning installer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an air conditioning installer job description:

   Air conditioning installer job description example

   Come join the Envirosafe Team! Envirosafe is keeping busy through the recent COVID-19 Pandemic and is looking to hire experienced HVAC Technicians.

   Envirosafe has been in business for over 40 years, servicing the south jersey area. Our goal is not only to offer a GREAT CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE but a GREAT EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE . We pride ourselves in quality and making sure it is done right.
   

   
   

   Common Job Duties:

   - Replacements of furnaces, boilers, condensers, package units, coils, humidifiers, water heaters, circulators, zone controls, heat pumps, air handlers, etc
   

   - Maintain an orderly, clean, and fully stocked company truck of which you are provided to take home

   - The truck will have a gas card and all major tools for the job

   - Uniforms are provided

   **We are looking for a person who wants to be a positive, friendly, and willing member of our growing team.

   **We provide excellent benefits on top of an excellent pay rate.

   Requirements

   Candidates must have:

   • A minimum 2 years experience in the trade
   • A positive attitude with a willingness to treat our customers with the utmost respect.
   • A deep understanding of heating, AC, and IAQ equipment and HVAC system designs
   • Enthusiasm to learn and grow
   • The ability to treat your time in our client's home as an invited guest.
   • Clean driving record

   Benefits

   • 401(k)
   • Medical, Dental, Vision
   • Life insurance
   • Long term disability insurance
   • Teledoctor and Roadside assistance for entire family
   • 5 paid sick days
   • Up to 10 paid Vacation days
   • 6 Paid Holidays
   • Hands-on training
   • Bonuses
   • Company outings and events
   • Take Home Vehicle for our Leads.
   • Paid Uniforms
   • Gas Credit Card for Company Vehicle.
   • Tool Co-Op Program
   • Boot Program

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right air conditioning installer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your air conditioning installer job on Zippia to find and recruit air conditioning installer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit air conditioning installers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new air conditioning installer

   Once you've decided on a perfect air conditioning installer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new air conditioning installer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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