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What is a hvac apprentice and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
John Terasconi
introduction image

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are trainees who work with HVAC maintenance workers to install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain residential and commercial HVAC systems and equipment. Your responsibilities are to assist with installing HVAC systems on commercial and residential properties, installing, maintaining, and repairing roof units for heating and air conditioning, as well as the units inside residential and commercial buildings. Apart from this, you will need to operate a variety of hand and power tools needed for HVAC installation. You also need to diagnose a problem and make necessary repairs to ensure that all tools, materials, and equipment are in good working order.

You need a high school diploma or GED to be considered for this job. You should also have a strong working knowledge of HVAC systems as well as the tools related to installation, maintenance, and repair. Plus, you must be physically fit. Your salary every year is an average of $31,964.

What general advice would you give to a hvac apprentice?

John TerasconiJohn Terasconi LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, HVAC-R Department Chair, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

The best advice I could give is to stay focused on your job and strive to learn as much as possible. Take the time to truly understand the systems you're working on, continuously develop your skills, and absorb as much knowledge as possible from every source available. The more you know, the more valuable you become.

ScoreHvac ApprenticeUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $34,073

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 2.66%

Black or African American 8.32%

Hispanic or Latino 19.23%

Unknown 4.18%

White 64.88%

Gender

female 3.03%

male 96.97%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Hvac apprentice career paths

Key steps to become a hvac apprentice

  1. Explore hvac apprentice education requirements

    Most common hvac apprentice degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.6 %

    Associate

    16.8 %

    Certificate

    14.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific hvac apprentice skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service14.95%
    Customer Satisfaction14.45%
    Preventative Maintenance13.73%
    Ladders12.69%
    Ventilation12.10%
  3. Complete relevant hvac apprentice training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hvac apprentices learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a hvac apprentice based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hvac apprentice resumes.
  4. Gain additional hvac apprentice certifications

    Hvac apprentice certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific hvac apprentice certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for hvac apprentices include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and HVAC Master Specialist.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research hvac apprentice duties and responsibilities

    • Install HVAC systems in new and retrofit fashion for residential customers in the greater-Seattle area.
    • Install and repair residential heating and air units, lift heavy equipment up ladders and in small crawl spaces.
    • Perform maintenance, repair, modification, replacement and installation of centrifugal chillers and refrigeration equipment.
    • Experience with copper, cpvc, or pvc pipe work.
  6. Prepare your hvac apprentice resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hvac apprentice resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a hvac apprentice resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable hvac apprentice resume templates

    Build a professional hvac apprentice resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your hvac apprentice resume.
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
    Hvac Apprentice Resume
  7. Apply for hvac apprentice jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a hvac apprentice job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first hvac apprentice job

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Average hvac apprentice salary

The average hvac apprentice salary in the United States is $34,073 per year or $16 per hour. Hvac apprentice salaries range between $26,000 and $43,000 per year.

Average hvac apprentice salary
$34,073 Yearly
$16.38 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do hvac apprentices rate their job?

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Hvac apprentice reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

I dont like to work in a place or with someone that im not gonna learn eveyday


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Different work environment ,people , equipment types . Technology

Cons

None recognition for excellence


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

Love the constant change and challenge of the work. Being outside and on the go instead of in a building or office all day.

Cons

As minimum wage increases and prices increase, the wages are not changing for the Technicians already in the field. New come in at a higher rate and as a result the more experienced people are losing money.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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