How To Become A Hvac/R Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a hvac/r instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An HVAC/R instructor is an individual that teaches people about the HVAC/R systems. HVAC/R stands for heating, ventilation, air conditioning/refrigeration. They teach students how to install, maintain, and repair these systems. They work at a vocational or a trade school; hence, they need to create lesson plans. As an HVAC/R instructor, you must ensure your students have a firm grasp of what you are teaching them. You must also show your students how to properly use equipment and tools. Primarily, you must have experience in HVAC/R installation and repair.

Employers prefer applicants with at least a high school diploma or a degree. Although not necessary, requirements for certification vary by state and employer. You are required to have at least five years of relevant experience. Also, you must have communication, organization, and teaching skills. The HVAC/R instructor makes an average of $23.73 per hour, which is $49,353 a year.

ScoreHvac/R InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $51,130

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.22%

Black or African American 7.28%

Hispanic or Latino 10.36%

Unknown 4.96%

White 65.90%

Gender

female 2.60%

male 97.40%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a hvac/r instructor

Explore hvac/r instructor education requirements

Most common hvac/r instructor degrees

Associate

41.2 %

Bachelor's

19.9 %

Diploma

13.3 %

Start to develop specific hvac/r instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Professional Development	29.10%
Ventilation	13.17%
Professional Growth	10.81%
Curriculum Development	9.49%
Hvac-R	7.68%

Complete relevant hvac/r instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hvac/r instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a hvac/r instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hvac/r instructor resumes.

Gain additional hvac/r instructor certifications

Hvac/r instructor certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific hvac/r instructor certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for hvac/r instructors include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

More About Certifications

Research hvac/r instructor duties and responsibilities

Assist classmates with developing positive study habits and strategies for managing classroom material.
Lecture students on the mathematical concepts relate to HVAC-R.
Train and educate employees of FAA and Boeing BAC specifications.
Negotiate with local and federal EPA and obtain cost savings variances.

Prepare your hvac/r instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hvac/r instructor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a hvac/r instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable hvac/r instructor resume templates

Build a professional hvac/r instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your hvac/r instructor resume.

Apply for hvac/r instructor jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a hvac/r instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first hvac/r instructor job

Aurelio Mendoza

Hvac/R Instructor, MZA TECH HVAC LLC.

Al started at college when l become a stationary engineer after that years took the epa universal test. That was the beginning to start my career as a hvac certified technician….. after 15 years of practice started as a corporate instructor for the Houston community college…. It’s been a wonderful career… l took the electrician classes to become a certified electrician…. It’s been an experience teaching more than 3000 very successful students.. now hvac contractors….. very proud for them!!!