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Auto air conditioning apprentice vs ac technician

The differences between auto air conditioning apprentices and ac technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an auto air conditioning apprentice and an ac technician. Additionally, an ac technician has an average salary of $49,910, which is higher than the $40,032 average annual salary of an auto air conditioning apprentice.

The top three skills for an auto air conditioning apprentice include HVAC/R, PVC and install equipment. The most important skills for an ac technician are HVAC, safety procedures, and preventive maintenance.

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs ac technician overview

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeAC Technician
Yearly salary$40,032$49,910
Hourly rate$19.25$24.00
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs11,864101,978
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs ac technician salary

Auto air conditioning apprentices and ac technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeAC Technician
Average salary$40,032$49,910
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $47,000Between $33,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between auto air conditioning apprentice and ac technician education

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

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeAC Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningHeating And Air Conditioning
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredDunwoody College of Technology

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs ac technician demographics

Here are the differences between auto air conditioning apprentices' and ac technicians' demographics:

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeAC Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 92.4% Female, 7.6%Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 25.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between auto air conditioning apprentice and ac technician duties and responsibilities

Auto air conditioning apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Glue PVC condensate lines where necessary.
  • Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and developing student's researching skills and internet and PowerPoint proficiency.
  • Can do simple repairs like change contactors or capacitors.

Ac technician example 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.
  • Replace compressors, thermal expansion valves, copper line sets, evaporators and condenser coils.
  • Utilize various tools such as nitrogen and acetylene tanks for brazing integral components of the units.
  • Show more

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs ac technician skills

Common auto air conditioning apprentice skills
  • HVAC/R, 52%
  • PVC, 29%
  • Install Equipment, 19%
Common ac technician skills
  • HVAC, 18%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 9%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • Service Calls, 6%
  • Air-Conditioning Systems, 5%

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