How To Become An Air-Conditioning Mechanic: What It Is and Career Path

What is an air-conditioning mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average air-conditioning mechanic salary is $44,852. The most common degree is a associate degree degree with an environmental control technologies/technicians major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become an air-conditioning mechanic. Air-conditioning mechanics with a EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 20,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreAir-Conditioning MechanicUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $44,852

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 2.53%

Black or African American 7.29%

Hispanic or Latino 23.06%

Unknown 4.14%

White 62.24%

Gender

female 5.09%

male 94.91%

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

Key steps to become an air-conditioning mechanic

Explore air-conditioning mechanic education requirements

Most common air-conditioning mechanic degrees

Associate

25.7 %

High School Diploma

22.3 %

Certificate

18.4 %

Start to develop specific air-conditioning mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
Ladders	10.06%
Ventilation	9.45%
Condensers	5.20%
Hand Tools	4.60%
Preventative Maintenance	4.36%

Complete relevant air-conditioning mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New air-conditioning mechanics 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 air-conditioning mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real air-conditioning mechanic resumes.

Gain additional air-conditioning mechanic certifications

Air-conditioning mechanic 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 air-conditioning mechanic certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for air-conditioning mechanics include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Journeyman Air Conditioning & Refrigeration.

More About Certifications

Research air-conditioning mechanic duties and responsibilities

Maintain the equipment by reassembling the evaporators, condensers and receivers, repackaging the valves.
Repair freezers, swamp coolers, condensers, pumps and other relate equipment.
Maintain drains, PVC, piping, and systems for inspectional services reviews.
Experience in soldering and brazing for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration piping.

Prepare your air-conditioning mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your air-conditioning mechanic 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 air-conditioning mechanic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable air-conditioning mechanic resume templates

Build a professional air-conditioning mechanic 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 air-conditioning mechanic resume.