How to hire a heating and cooling technician

How to hire a heating and cooling technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step heating and cooling technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a heating and cooling technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new heating and cooling technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a heating and cooling technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect heating and cooling technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of heating and cooling technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Heating And Cooling Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Heating And Cooling Technician	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.	$14-30
   Hvac Installer	An HVAC installer is responsible for working on office and house appliances, including heating systems, ventilation, and air conditioning units. HVAC installers follow and analyze the item's schematics and blueprints and conduct regular maintenance to ensure the efficiency of its systems... Show more	$14-31
   Installer Apprentice	An elevator installer apprentice is a trainee who trains under a skilled elevator installer to install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, and other lifts. Elevator installer apprentices must assist in assembling elevator cars as well as connecting electrical wiring to control panels and electric motors... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • Service Calls
   • HVAC/R
   • Air Filters
   • Heat Pumps
   • Electrical Circuits
   • Safety Procedures
   • Gas Furnaces
   • Equipment Components
   • PVC
   • Electrical Test Equipment
   • Mechanical Problems
   • Air-Conditioning Systems
   • Blowers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist with installing black pie and cut /therd pipe and HVAC systems and PVC pipes.
   • Install duct work for residential and commercial jobs, run thermostat wire, install furnaces and condensers
   • Perform general plumbing and labor, assist with complex mechanical and plumbing jobs, rough and finish.
   • Service and install residential and light commercial heating and cooling systems, also assist the plumbing service dept.
   • Maintain environmental conditions by installing and maintaining both heating and cooling systems such as air conditioners, chillers and refrigeration equipment.
   • Install diagnosed and repair controls including electro-mechanical, DDC and pneumatic systems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your heating and cooling technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A heating and cooling technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, heating and cooling technicians' average salary in west virginia is 58% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level heating and cooling technicians earn 53% less than senior-level heating and cooling technicians.
   • Certifications. A heating and cooling technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a heating and cooling technician's salary.

   Average heating and cooling technician salary

   $44,374yearly

   $21.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level heating and cooling technician salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a heating and cooling technician job description

   A heating and cooling technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a heating and cooling technician job description:

   Heating and cooling technician job description example

   $5k SIGN ON BONUS for CT HVAC license of type: D1, D2, S1, S2, S10.
   

   Benefits include:

   - Career Advancement Opportunities

   - Paid Training

   - Competitive Salary

   - Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

   - Health Savings Account (HSA)

   - Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

   - Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DFSA)

   - 401K Savings Plan with Match

   - Life/AD&D Insurance

   - Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance

   - Voluntary Long-Term Disability

   - Employee Assistance Program

   - Rewards and discounts

   - Gym Membership Discount

   - Paid Time Off

   
   

   Wage range: $25-$50 based on experience

   
   

   HVAC Service Technician Job Responsibilities

   • Diagnose and repair malfunctions in various types of heating and air conditioning systems.
   • Maintain preventative maintenance schedules and procedures for all HVAC equipment including filters, belts and coil cleaning.
   • Receive and complete work orders in a timely and efficient manner.
   • Inspect jobs upon completion to ensure areas are clean.
   • Respond to emergency calls as needed.
   • Perform general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in clean operable condition.

   
   

   HVAC Service Technician Required Skills & Experience

   • High School Diploma & Trade School Diploma
   • Connecticut Heating and Cooling Trade License - however if interested in working in NY license not necessary
   • Knowledge of HVAC repairs, maintenance, and installation techniques
   • Ability to operate a computer and assigned software (including email)
   • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, diagrams, schematics, and written reference material
   • Strong problem-solving skills
   • Ability to use hand and power tools associated with the HVAC field
   • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
   • Professional demeanor
   • Commitment to customer service
   • High moral standards and strong work ethic
   • Superior organizational and time management skills

   
   

   HVAC Service Technician Eligibility Requirements

   • This position requires a valid driver's license.
   • Employment/education will be verified.
   • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
   • Encon is a drug free workplace and requires post-offer pre-employment drug testing.

   
   

   HVAC Service Technician Physical Requirements

   • Able to work in a variety of extreme weather, hot and cold conditions.
   • Able to work safely in confined spaces such as attics, basements, closets, and crawl spaces.
   • Able to work safely at elevated heights such as rooftops, ceilings, and ladders.
   • Able to bend, crawl, stoop, stretch, and reach.
   • Able to walk on uneven surfaces.
   • Able to work off a ladder, sometimes at heights.
   • Able to safely lift 50 pounds.

   
   

   
   

   Encon Heating & AC complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Encon Heating & AC does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

   
   

   Encon is Fully licensed Lic.#395593 / MEC # 1093

   Requirements:

   
   

   
   
   

   PI194469044

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right heating and cooling technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with heating and cooling technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit heating and cooling technicians who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your heating and cooling technician job on Zippia to find and recruit heating and cooling technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with heating and cooling technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new heating and cooling technician

   Once you've selected the best heating and cooling technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new heating and cooling technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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