Post job

Hvac mechanic vs lead hvac technician

The differences between hvac mechanics and lead hvac 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 mechanic and a lead hvac technician. Additionally, a lead hvac technician has an average salary of $51,139, which is higher than the $50,752 average annual salary of a hvac mechanic.

The top three skills for a hvac mechanic include hand tools, HVAC and ventilation. The most important skills for a lead hvac technician are ventilation, plumbing, and preventive maintenance.

Hvac mechanic vs lead hvac technician overview

Hvac MechanicLead Hvac Technician
Yearly salary$50,752$51,139
Hourly rate$24.40$24.59
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs73,05764,060
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 25%Associate Degree, 33%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Hvac mechanic vs lead hvac technician salary

Hvac mechanics and lead hvac technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hvac MechanicLead Hvac Technician
Average salary$50,752$51,139
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $73,000Between $34,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityBrookline, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyAmerican Residential ServicesCarrier
Best paying industryManufacturingHealth Care

Differences between hvac mechanic and lead hvac technician education

There are a few differences between a hvac mechanic and a lead hvac technician in terms of educational background:

Hvac MechanicLead Hvac Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 25%Associate Degree, 33%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningHeating And Air Conditioning
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyDunwoody College of Technology

Hvac mechanic vs lead hvac technician demographics

Here are the differences between hvac mechanics' and lead hvac technicians' demographics:

Hvac MechanicLead Hvac Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 97.5% Female, 2.5%Male, 98.2% Female, 1.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between hvac mechanic and lead hvac technician duties and responsibilities

Hvac mechanic example responsibilities.

  • General maintenance include plumbing, carpentry, electrical repair and installation.
  • work on motors, belts, electrical wiring and plc programing.
  • Perform all duties within the specified safety regulations of OSHA, the company and the position.
  • Repair damage chill water coils, install air handlers, condensers and through the wall heat pumps on campus.
  • Act as part of the HazMat team to clean up and evacuate any areas of any chemical spills or leaks.
  • Experience in sheet-metal fabrication and light plumbing
  • Show more

Lead hvac technician example responsibilities.

  • Make sure that the department is complying with OSHA and EPA guidelines.
  • Research and recommend changes in water treatment to reduce replacement of parts in humidifiers.
  • Work with mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors to gather quotes for repairs and capital projects.
  • Repair, installation, maintenance of HVAC, and plumbing equipment as well as customer service.
  • Repair and replace light fixtures, dimmer switches, outlets, ceiling fans and outlets and fixtures.
  • Supervise install helpers and install heating air conditioning and ventilation.
  • Show more

Hvac mechanic vs lead hvac technician skills

Common hvac mechanic skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • HVAC, 11%
  • Ventilation, 7%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • EPA, 6%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 4%
Common lead hvac technician skills
  • Ventilation, 49%
  • Plumbing, 3%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 3%
  • Heat Pumps, 3%
  • Routine Maintenance, 3%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs