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Air-conditioning mechanic vs hvac apprentice

The differences between air-conditioning mechanics and hvac apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an air-conditioning mechanic and a hvac apprentice. Additionally, an air-conditioning mechanic has an average salary of $44,852, which is higher than the $34,073 average annual salary of a hvac apprentice.

The top three skills for an air-conditioning mechanic include ladders, ventilation and condensers. The most important skills for a hvac apprentice are customer service, customer satisfaction, and preventative maintenance.

Air-conditioning mechanic vs hvac apprentice overview

Air-Conditioning MechanicHvac Apprentice
Yearly salary$44,852$34,073
Hourly rate$21.56$16.38
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs35,22625,483
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 26%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Air-conditioning mechanic vs hvac apprentice salary

Air-conditioning mechanics and hvac apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Air-Conditioning MechanicHvac Apprentice
Average salary$44,852$34,073
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $62,000Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAGaithersburg, MD
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyHalifax HealthJohnson Controls
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between air-conditioning mechanic and hvac apprentice education

There are a few differences between an air-conditioning mechanic and a hvac apprentice in terms of educational background:

Air-Conditioning MechanicHvac Apprentice
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 26%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorEnvironmental Control Technologies/TechniciansHeating And Air Conditioning
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyDunwoody College of Technology

Air-conditioning mechanic vs hvac apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between air-conditioning mechanics' and hvac apprentices' demographics:

Air-Conditioning MechanicHvac Apprentice
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.9% Female, 5.1%Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between air-conditioning mechanic and hvac apprentice duties and responsibilities

Air-conditioning mechanic example 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.
  • Install and repair ventilation systems in the dining facility and buildings (whole compound).
  • Specialize in brazing copper pipe (flexible and hard) and the installation of duct/ventilation system according to blueprint.
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Hvac apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Install HVAC systems in new and retrofit fashion for residential customers in the greater-Seattle area.
  • Install and repair residential heating and air units, lift heavy equipment up ladders and in small crawl spaces.
  • Perform maintenance, repair, modification, replacement and installation of centrifugal chillers and refrigeration equipment.
  • Experience with copper, cpvc, or pvc pipe work.
  • Run PVC for HVAC applications.
  • Pump down and re-cover all refrigerant within EPA regulations.
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Air-conditioning mechanic vs hvac apprentice skills

Common air-conditioning mechanic skills
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Ventilation, 9%
  • Condensers, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Ice Machines, 4%
Common hvac apprentice skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 14%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 14%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Ventilation, 12%
  • Air-Conditioning Systems, 8%

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