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Air conditioning service technician vs installer apprentice

The differences between air conditioning service technicians and installer 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 service technician and an installer apprentice. Additionally, an air conditioning service technician has an average salary of $51,938, which is higher than the $37,507 average annual salary of an installer apprentice.

The top three skills for an air conditioning service technician include plumbing, hand tools and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an installer apprentice are HVAC, plumbing, and hand tools.

Air conditioning service technician vs installer apprentice overview

Air Conditioning Service TechnicianInstaller Apprentice
Yearly salary$51,938$37,507
Hourly rate$24.97$18.03
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs57,42021,751
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 27%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Air conditioning service technician vs installer apprentice salary

Air conditioning service technicians and installer apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Air Conditioning Service TechnicianInstaller Apprentice
Average salary$51,938$37,507
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $75,000Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaKohler Co.
Best paying industryTechnologyTransportation

Differences between air conditioning service technician and installer apprentice education

There are a few differences between an air conditioning service technician and an installer apprentice in terms of educational background:

Air Conditioning Service TechnicianInstaller Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 27%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningBusiness
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyStanford University

Air conditioning service technician vs installer apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between air conditioning service technicians' and installer apprentices' demographics:

Air Conditioning Service TechnicianInstaller Apprentice
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 25.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between air conditioning service technician and installer apprentice duties and responsibilities

Air conditioning service technician example responsibilities.

  • Prepare work site (e.g., set up scaffold, ladders, stands, etc . )
  • Braze and solder pipes and cleaned/glu plastic PVC piping.
  • Place fan belt on pulleys, adjust tension and tighten bolts.
  • Prepare worksite and work from scaffolds, ladders, stands, etc.
  • Run hoses, install and hook up evaporators and hook up and install condensers.
  • Conduct trail runs before welding, soldering or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
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Installer apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Position electric motor and equipment on top of elevator shaft, using hoists and cable slings
  • Raise and move heavy machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, wire rope and cable slings.
  • Test and run system 1 ton - 20 ton.
  • Repair wiring, plumbing, equipment, and machinery.
  • Change elevator call, floor, tire, and switches.
  • Install fencing products for customers, including wood, chain link, and PVC.
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Air conditioning service technician vs installer apprentice skills

Common air conditioning service technician skills
  • Plumbing, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 8%
  • Emergency Repairs, 6%
  • Ventilation, 6%
  • Air-Conditioning Systems, 5%
Common installer apprentice skills
  • HVAC, 22%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%

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