How to hire a hvac apprentice

How to hire a hvac apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hvac apprentice hiring guide:

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

What does a hvac apprentice do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the hvac apprentice you need to hire. Certain hvac apprentice roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a hvac apprentice to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a hvac apprentice that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of hvac apprentices.

   Type of Hvac Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Hvac Apprentice	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.	$12-20
   Refrigeration Technician	A refrigeration technician is responsible for managing refrigeration and cooling systems for private households and commercial establishments. Refrigeration technicians install refrigeration components, requiring them to have an excellent analysis of blueprints and schematics... Show more	$15-36
   Installation Helper	Installation helpers are skilled employees who are responsible for observing equipment and machinery to verify their efficient and safe operations. These helpers are required to assist in troubleshooting equipment after the installation while identifying defects to ensure a timely repair or return of the equipment... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Ladders
   • Ventilation
   • Air-Conditioning Systems
   • Work Ethic
   • Hand Tools
   • Duct Systems
   • Plumbing
   • Control Systems
   • Safety Procedures
   • Air Handlers
   • Install Equipment

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Run PVC for HVAC applications.
   • Pump down and re-cover all refrigerant within EPA regulations.

   More hvac apprentice duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the hvac apprentice job description is a good way to get more applicants. A hvac apprentice salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a hvac apprentice in Alabama may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level hvac apprentice. Additionally, a hvac apprentice with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average hvac apprentice salary

   $16.38hourly

   $34,073 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level hvac apprentice salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average hvac apprentice salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$44,355	$21
   2	New York	$39,779	$19
   3	New Jersey	$39,700	$19
   4	Virginia	$38,724	$19
   5	North Dakota	$38,520	$19
   6	Illinois	$37,115	$18
   7	Washington	$36,417	$18
   8	Colorado	$36,371	$17
   9	Oregon	$34,409	$17
   10	Michigan	$34,153	$16
   11	Indiana	$34,066	$16
   12	Arizona	$33,286	$16
   13	Nevada	$32,668	$16
   14	Ohio	$32,525	$16
   15	Oklahoma	$30,143	$14
   16	South Carolina	$30,132	$14
   17	Florida	$29,696	$14
   18	Montana	$29,678	$14
   19	Texas	$27,383	$13

   Average hvac apprentice salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Johnson Controls	$42,081	$20.23	94
   2	Stewart Enterprises	$42,076	$20.23	5
   3	Jayco	$41,033	$19.73
   4	Heritage Home Group	$40,519	$19.48	8
   5	General Mills	$40,281	$19.37
   6	Allen Plumbing And Heating, Inc.	$39,103	$18.80
   7	Lloyd	$38,970	$18.74	7
   8	Ryder System	$37,873	$18.21
   9	Trane	$37,813	$18.18	144
   10	Carrier	$37,287	$17.93	23
   11	F.H. Furr	$37,038	$17.81	35
   12	Comfort Systems	$36,556	$17.57	35
   13	Atlas Butler	$36,548	$17.57	1
   14	Air-Flo	$36,047	$17.33
   15	One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning	$36,041	$17.33	342
   16	Aire Serv	$35,967	$17.29	163
   17	HB McClure	$35,798	$17.21
   18	HomeServe USA	$35,661	$17.14	16
   19	BGC Partners	$35,598	$17.11
   20	New Age Technologies, Inc.	$35,440	$17.04	3

4. Writing a hvac apprentice job description

   A job description for a hvac apprentice role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a hvac apprentice job description:

   Hvac apprentice job description example

   We are a family-owned heating and air conditioning company that supports the professional development and success of our employees . We pay our HVAC Apprentices a competitive wage of $15 - $18/hr plus performance-based bonuses . Our HVAC technician team also enjoys great benefits , including health, accidental, life insurance, a 401(k), paid holidays, a holiday bonus, a company iPad and phone, game nights, company parties and trips, a stocked fridge with snacks, year-round training, fully stocked company vehicles, and company-provided uniforms . Plus, we make it easy to apply with our initial quick mobile-optimized application . If we have your attention, please continue reading about this entry-level HVAC apprentice position!

   
   

   ABOUT ALL-TEMP HEATING & COOLING LLC

   Since 2007, we have been helping our community with all of their HVAC needs. Our HVAC experts went into business to give customers great service with an honest heart. Our biggest joy is seeing a job well done and the happy faces of our customers when we leave their home or small business more comfortable and more efficient than when we got there. Because of this, we have developed a reputation among our customers and their friends and family. We pride ourselves on providing the most up-to-date systems and the latest and greatest in heating and cooling technology. Our family-owned company has proven to be a dependable source for comfort solutions.

   We believe that it takes high-quality work, dependability, and the latest technology to keep customers consistently comfortable all year round. Our focus on comfort isn't just about the high-quality equipment and comprehensive service we offer, but on how we treat our employees as well. We are a big family and once someone comes aboard, they are a part of that family. This is why we offer competitive pay, benefits, and year-round training . We will support you in your professional endeavors, as your success is our success!

   
   

   ARE YOU A GOOD FIT?

   Ask yourself: Am I dependable and punctual? Do I follow directions well? Am I safety-oriented and attentive to detail? Do I have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn? If so, please consider applying for this entry-level HVAC technician apprenticeship today!

   
   

   YOUR LIFE AS AN HVAC APPRENTICE

   This entry-level HVAC technician apprenticeship has a schedule of Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm .

   As an HVAC Apprentice, you provide assistance to our lead technicians while you learn the basics of the heating and cooling industry. Punctual and reliable, you arrive on time for scheduled service calls. As a proud representative of our company, you maintain a professional appearance and demeanor as you learn to diagnose, repair, service, and maintain residential systems. You listen and follow instructions well, and you're glad this apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to receive on-the-job training from skilled professionals.

   Always up for a challenge, you aren't phased by working in extreme temperatures or tight spaces. You maintain a positive attitude, and you're committed to doing the job right the first time. As someone who is motivated and goal-oriented, you're pleased to be on the pathway to advancement. You are proud of yourself for taking steps toward building a long-term career in the heating and air conditioning industry !

   
   

   WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

   • Valid driver's license with a good driving record
   • Ability to meet the physical requirements of the job, including bending, lifting, kneeling, and working in compact spaces

   If you can meet these requirements and perform this entry-level HVAC technician apprenticeship as described above, we would be happy to have you as part of our heating and air conditioning team!

   Location: 24401

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

   To find the right hvac apprentice 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 hvac apprentices they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit hvac apprentices 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 hvac apprentice job on Zippia to find and recruit hvac apprentice candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with hvac apprentice 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 hvac apprentice

   Once you've decided on a perfect hvac apprentice candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new hvac apprentice. 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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