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The differences between hvac mechanics and hvac apprentices 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 mechanic and a hvac apprentice. Additionally, a hvac mechanic has an average salary of $50,752, which is higher than the $34,073 average annual salary of a hvac apprentice.
The top three skills for a hvac mechanic include hand tools, HVAC and ventilation. The most important skills for a hvac apprentice are customer service, customer satisfaction, and preventative maintenance.
| Hvac Mechanic | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $50,752 | $34,073 |
| Hourly rate | $24.40 | $16.38 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 73,057 | 25,483 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An HVAC mechanic specializes in installing and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities revolve around communicating with clients to identify their needs, troubleshooting, identifying the root of issues, and performing corrective measures. They may also perform regular maintenance checks to ensure that the devices are functioning efficiently and safely. Furthermore, as an HVAC mechanic, it is essential to explain the extent of repairs to the clients and recommend ways to maintain systems in good condition.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are trainees who work under HVAC maintenance workers. They train under HVAC maintenance workers to gain actual, on-the-job experience. To be an apprentice, one should have a formal training background related to HVAC repair and maintenance. They may be enrolled in a technical-vocational school specializing in HVAC repair and maintenance. As such, apprenticeship is part of their curriculum or class requirements. During their apprenticeship, HVAC apprentices will experience installing, diagnosing, repair, and maintaining HVAC units firsthand.
Hvac mechanics and hvac apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hvac Mechanic | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $50,752 | $34,073 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $73,000 | Between $26,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brookline, MA | Gaithersburg, MD |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | American Residential Services | Johnson Controls |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a hvac mechanic and a hvac apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Hvac Mechanic | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | Dunwoody College of Technology | Dunwoody College of Technology |
Here are the differences between hvac mechanics' and hvac apprentices' demographics:
| Hvac Mechanic | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 2.6% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |