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The differences between commercial service technicians and hvac technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a commercial service technician, becoming a hvac technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a hvac technician has an average salary of $54,496, which is higher than the $49,463 average annual salary of a commercial service technician.
The top three skills for a commercial service technician include OSHA, service vehicle and ladders. The most important skills for a hvac technician are HVAC, customer service, and preventative maintenance.
| Commercial Service Technician | Hvac Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $49,463 | $54,496 |
| Hourly rate | $23.78 | $26.20 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 216,958 | 86,709 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | Associate Degree, 29% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A commercial service technician is responsible for maintaining and repairing mechanical equipment and machinery for private households and commercial establishments. Commercial service technicians inspect the conditions and stability of mechanical components to identify defects and possible part replacements. They also install and assemble equipment, requiring them to have critical analysis to follow blueprints and schematics. A commercial service technician must have excellent mechanical and organizational skills, especially in recommending efficient resources and prevent breakdown reoccurrence.
An HVAC technician is qualified personnel who installs and repairs air-conditioning and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in both residential and commercial buildings. A technician's job may include repairing of pipe that is leaking, replacing a defective mechanical part, or adjust equipment setting for better performance. However, an HVAC technician must follow government regulations and local HVAC codes and should take the licensure examination. Some HVAC technicians are working for contractors, while others are self-employed.
Commercial service technicians and hvac technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commercial Service Technician | Hvac Technician | |
| Average salary | $49,463 | $54,496 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $74,000 | Between $36,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Broken Arrow, OK | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | SoCalGas | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a commercial service technician and a hvac technician in terms of educational background:
| Commercial Service Technician | Hvac Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | Associate Degree, 29% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | - | Dunwoody College of Technology |
Here are the differences between commercial service technicians' and hvac technicians' demographics:
| Commercial Service Technician | Hvac Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 1.7% White, 73.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 1% | 2% |