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Hvac specialist vs air-conditioning mechanic

The differences between hvac specialists and air-conditioning mechanics 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 specialist and an air-conditioning mechanic. Additionally, a hvac specialist has an average salary of $50,358, which is higher than the $44,852 average annual salary of an air-conditioning mechanic.

The top three skills for a hvac specialist include ventilation, plumbing and troubleshoot. The most important skills for an air-conditioning mechanic are ladders, ventilation, and condensers.

Hvac specialist vs air-conditioning mechanic overview

Hvac SpecialistAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Yearly salary$50,358$44,852
Hourly rate$24.21$21.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs14,29935,226
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 26%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Hvac specialist vs air-conditioning mechanic salary

Hvac specialists and air-conditioning mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hvac SpecialistAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average salary$50,358$44,852
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityWest Sacramento, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupHalifax Health
Best paying industryConstructionHealth Care

Differences between hvac specialist and air-conditioning mechanic education

There are a few differences between a hvac specialist and an air-conditioning mechanic in terms of educational background:

Hvac SpecialistAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 26%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyDunwoody College of Technology

Hvac specialist vs air-conditioning mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between hvac specialists' and air-conditioning mechanics' demographics:

Hvac SpecialistAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 95.2% Female, 4.8%Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.5% Asian, 2.5% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between hvac specialist and air-conditioning mechanic duties and responsibilities

Hvac specialist example responsibilities.

  • Meet all state requirements and manage annual inspections regarding mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire and elevator systems.
  • Install 2 to 10 ton Rheem, Ruud and Bryan condensers.
  • Develop experience with DDC controls.
  • Perform light plumbing duties such as cleaning stoppages, replace fittings and change water heater elements.
  • Repair and maintain air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems where regulate temperatures are a necessity.
  • Trouble shoot heating, ventilation and air conditioning, motor, pump and compressor, and compressor problems in buildings.
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Air-conditioning mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the equipment by reassembling the evaporators, condensers and receivers, repackaging the valves.
  • Repair freezers, swamp coolers, condensers, pumps and other relate equipment.
  • Maintain drains, PVC, piping, and systems for inspectional services reviews.
  • Experience in soldering and brazing for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration piping.
  • Install and repair ventilation systems in the dining facility and buildings (whole compound).
  • Specialize in brazing copper pipe (flexible and hard) and the installation of duct/ventilation system according to blueprint.
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Hvac specialist vs air-conditioning mechanic skills

Common hvac specialist skills
  • Ventilation, 12%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Control Systems, 8%
  • Exhaust Fans, 6%
  • Cooling Towers, 5%
Common air-conditioning mechanic skills
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Ventilation, 9%
  • Condensers, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Ice Machines, 4%

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