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Hvac specialist vs heating technician

The differences between hvac specialists and heating 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 specialist and a heating technician. Additionally, a heating technician has an average salary of $51,453, which is higher than the $50,358 average annual salary of a hvac specialist.

The top three skills for a hvac specialist include ventilation, plumbing and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a heating technician are plumbing, ventilation, and safety procedures.

Hvac specialist vs heating technician overview

Hvac SpecialistHeating Technician
Yearly salary$50,358$51,453
Hourly rate$24.21$24.74
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs14,29961,302
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Hvac specialist vs heating technician salary

Hvac specialists and heating technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hvac SpecialistHeating Technician
Average salary$50,358$51,453
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $35,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityWest Sacramento, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupCity of Jacksonville
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between hvac specialist and heating technician education

There are a few differences between a hvac specialist and a heating technician in terms of educational background:

Hvac SpecialistHeating Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyDuke University

Hvac specialist vs heating technician demographics

Here are the differences between hvac specialists' and heating technicians' demographics:

Hvac SpecialistHeating Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 95.2% Female, 4.8%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
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, 9.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between hvac specialist and heating technician 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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Heating technician example responsibilities.

  • Assemble and apply insulation material to plumbing, heating, cooling and refrigeration systems in new construction and remodel homes.
  • Change out compressor, condensers, evaporators, blower motors, condenser motor, troubleshot and replace all electrical components.
  • Assist in the installation of heating ventilation and air conditioning parts and units.
  • Repair refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, condensers, and furnaces.
  • Maintain and repair heating, ventilation, and cooling units for both commercial and residential customers.
  • Work with the owner to plan plumbing necessities for new buildings, including studying blueprint and developing logical plan for installation.
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Hvac specialist vs heating technician skills

Common hvac specialist skills
  • Ventilation, 12%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Control Systems, 8%
  • Exhaust Fans, 6%
  • Cooling Towers, 5%
Common heating technician skills
  • Plumbing, 9%
  • Ventilation, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Water Heaters, 7%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 5%
  • HVAC/R, 5%

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