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What is a hvac-r technician and how to become one
A HVAC-R technician works in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. They install, maintain, and repair systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. A HVAC-R technician must be knowledgeable about electrical and mechanical systems, refrigerant handling, and safety procedures. They diagnose problems and perform repairs or replacements. They may work independently or as part of a team. A HVAC-R technician must have strong communication skills to interact with clients and provide recommendations.
What general advice would you give to a hvac-r technician?
John Terasconi
Associate Professor, HVAC-R Department Chair, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Avg. Salary $53,354
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%
Asian 2.66%
Black or African American 8.33%
Hispanic or Latino 18.95%
Unknown 4.18%
White 65.14%
Genderfemale 2.60%
male 97.40%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a hvac-r technician?
Pros
High demand for skilled technicians
Opportunity for job stability and growth
Competitive wages and benefits
Opportunity for self-employment or entrepreneurship
Opportunity to work with new technologies and green solutions
Cons
Physical demands of the job (lifting, climbing, working in cramped spaces)
Exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals
High risk of injury (cuts, burns, electrical shock)
Job can be seasonal depending on location
Limited opportunities for advancement in some companies
Hvac-r technician career paths
Key steps to become a hvac-r technician
Explore hvac-r technician education requirements
Start to develop specific hvac-r technician skills
Skills Percentages HVAC/R 10.79% Ventilation 8.33% Plumbing 5.54% Hand Tools 5.16% Ladders 4.93% Complete relevant hvac-r technician training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hvac-r technicians 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 technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hvac-r technician resumes.Gain additional hvac-r technician certifications
More About CertificationsHvac-r technician 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 technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for hvac-r technicians include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and HVAC Master Specialist.
Research hvac-r technician duties and responsibilities
- Perform preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance and installation of refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation and plumbing applications.
- Install, maintain, and repair package units, split systems, boilers and other mechanical equipment.
- Install, repair, and maintain light commercial rooftop units, boilers, controls, and other mechanical equipment.
- Maintain all ventilation systems including preventative maintenance tasks and rebuilding of equipment when need.
Prepare your hvac-r technician resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hvac-r technician 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 technician 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 technician resume templates
Build a professional hvac-r technician 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 technician resume.
Apply for hvac-r technician jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a hvac-r technician 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 technician job
Are you a hvac-r technician?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average hvac-r technician salary
The average hvac-r technician salary in the United States is $53,354 per year or $26 per hour. Hvac-r technician salaries range between $35,000 and $79,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do hvac-r technicians rate their job?
Hvac-r technician reviews
First of all I love it because it's a job that I can perform I could be 80 90 years old and still performed Plus it's always something new as for me it's not a boring job cuz I love to do locksmith I just love it.
Fixing problems , make customers happy , be a good team member in the companie, learning more each day....
I dont like to work in a place or with someone that im not gonna learn eveyday
Different work environment ,people , equipment types . Technology
None recognition for excellence
Updated January 8, 2025
