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Auto air conditioning apprentice vs hvac-r technician

The differences between auto air conditioning apprentices and hvac-r 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 a hvac-r technician. Additionally, a hvac-r technician has an average salary of $53,354, 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 a hvac-r technician are HVAC/R, ventilation, and plumbing.

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs hvac-r technician overview

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeHvac-R Technician
Yearly salary$40,032$53,354
Hourly rate$19.25$25.65
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs11,86485,555
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs hvac-r technician salary

Auto air conditioning apprentices and hvac-r technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeHvac-R Technician
Average salary$40,032$53,354
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $47,000Between $35,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City-Lynnwood, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Better
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between auto air conditioning apprentice and hvac-r technician education

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

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeHvac-R Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Associate Degree, 34%
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 hvac-r technician demographics

Here are the differences between auto air conditioning apprentices' and hvac-r technicians' demographics:

Auto Air Conditioning ApprenticeHvac-R Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 92.4% Female, 7.6%Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6%
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, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between auto air conditioning apprentice and hvac-r 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.

Hvac-r technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance and installation of refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation and plumbing applications.
  • Install, maintain, and repair package units, split systems, boilers and other mechanical equipment.
  • Install, repair, and maintain light commercial rooftop units, boilers, controls, and other mechanical equipment.
  • Maintain all ventilation systems including preventative maintenance tasks and rebuilding of equipment when need.
  • Perform repairs and installation on HVAC/R equipment and commercial kitchen equipment for residential and commercial customers.
  • Perform maintenance and repair of HVAC/R equipment for commercial and residential applications including commercial refrigeration equipment.
  • Show more

Auto air conditioning apprentice vs hvac-r technician skills

Common auto air conditioning apprentice skills
  • HVAC/R, 52%
  • PVC, 29%
  • Install Equipment, 19%
Common hvac-r technician skills
  • HVAC/R, 11%
  • Ventilation, 8%
  • Plumbing, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%

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