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The differences between hvac controls technicians and hvac-r technicians 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 a hvac-r technician. Additionally, a hvac controls technician has an average salary of $54,632, which is higher than the $53,354 average annual salary of a hvac-r technician.
The top three skills for a hvac controls technician include mechanical systems, customer satisfaction and hand tools. The most important skills for a hvac-r technician are HVAC/R, ventilation, and plumbing.
| Hvac Controls Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $54,632 | $53,354 |
| Hourly rate | $26.27 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 81,166 | 85,555 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An HVAC controls technician specializes in installing and repairing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning control systems. Among their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify their needs, troubleshooting errors, repairing and replacing parts, and setting up control panels and sensors. They may also provide clients with cost-estimates, discuss the extent of repairs, and educate them on operating and taking better care of their devices. Furthermore, an HVAC controls technician may perform regular maintenance checks on systems and equipment, cleaning or fixing parts when necessary.
HVAC-R Technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems. Their duties include repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC-R equipment and systems, inspect equipment maintenance risks, diagnose mechanical and electrical faults, adjusting and cleaning systems, and carrying out warranty services. They maintain accurate maintenance records, assist with customer inquiries, give technical direction, provide mentorship to the junior technicians as well as ensure work complies with service, appliance, and safety standards.
Hvac controls technicians and hvac-r technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hvac Controls Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Average salary | $54,632 | $53,354 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $74,000 | Between $35,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Leandro, CA | Lynnwood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Better |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a hvac controls technician and a hvac-r technician in terms of educational background:
| Hvac Controls Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | Duke University | Dunwoody College of Technology |
Here are the differences between hvac controls technicians' and hvac-r technicians' demographics:
| Hvac Controls Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |