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Hvac controls technician vs air-conditioning mechanic

The differences between hvac controls technicians and air-conditioning mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a hvac controls technician and an air-conditioning mechanic. Additionally, a hvac controls technician has an average salary of $54,632, which is higher than the $44,852 average annual salary of an air-conditioning mechanic.

The top three skills for a hvac controls technician include mechanical systems, customer satisfaction and hand tools. The most important skills for an air-conditioning mechanic are ladders, ventilation, and condensers.

Hvac controls technician vs air-conditioning mechanic overview

Hvac Controls TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Yearly salary$54,632$44,852
Hourly rate$26.27$21.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs81,16635,226
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 26%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Hvac controls technician vs air-conditioning mechanic salary

Hvac controls technicians and air-conditioning mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hvac Controls TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average salary$54,632$44,852
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $74,000Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySan Leandro, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupHalifax Health
Best paying industryManufacturingHealth Care

Differences between hvac controls technician and air-conditioning mechanic education

There are a few differences between a hvac controls technician and an air-conditioning mechanic in terms of educational background:

Hvac Controls TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 26%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDunwoody College of Technology

Hvac controls technician vs air-conditioning mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between hvac controls technicians' and air-conditioning mechanics' demographics:

Hvac Controls TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.9% Female, 5.1%Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between hvac controls technician and air-conditioning mechanic duties and responsibilities

Hvac controls technician example responsibilities.

  • Install motors, pumps, plumbing equipment.
  • Replace and repair pneumatic and electrical valves, controllers, switches, relays, dampers.
  • Provide assistance to new installation of residential condensers and heating units.
  • Provide HVAC/R service with specific responsibility for identifying repair and/or replacement needs.
  • General maintenance to HVAC/R retrofits electrical updates and generator repair and maintenance.
  • Maintain environmental conditions by installing and maintaining both heating and cooling systems such as air conditioners, chillers and refrigeration equipment.
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Air-conditioning mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the equipment by reassembling the evaporators, condensers and receivers, repackaging the valves.
  • Repair freezers, swamp coolers, condensers, pumps and other relate equipment.
  • Maintain drains, PVC, piping, and systems for inspectional services reviews.
  • Experience in soldering and brazing for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration piping.
  • Install and repair ventilation systems in the dining facility and buildings (whole compound).
  • Specialize in brazing copper pipe (flexible and hard) and the installation of duct/ventilation system according to blueprint.
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Hvac controls technician vs air-conditioning mechanic skills

Common hvac controls technician skills
  • Mechanical Systems, 16%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Building Automation Systems, 8%
  • Systems Software, 6%
Common air-conditioning mechanic skills
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Ventilation, 9%
  • Condensers, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Ice Machines, 4%

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