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Hvac specialist vs installer apprentice

The differences between hvac specialists and installer apprentices 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 installer apprentice. Additionally, a hvac specialist has an average salary of $50,358, which is higher than the $37,507 average annual salary of an installer apprentice.

The top three skills for a hvac specialist include ventilation, plumbing and troubleshoot. The most important skills for an installer apprentice are HVAC, plumbing, and hand tools.

Hvac specialist vs installer apprentice overview

Hvac SpecialistInstaller Apprentice
Yearly salary$50,358$37,507
Hourly rate$24.21$18.03
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs14,29921,751
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Hvac specialist vs installer apprentice salary

Hvac specialists and installer apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hvac SpecialistInstaller Apprentice
Average salary$50,358$37,507
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityWest Sacramento, CASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupKohler Co.
Best paying industryConstructionTransportation

Differences between hvac specialist and installer apprentice education

There are a few differences between a hvac specialist and an installer apprentice in terms of educational background:

Hvac SpecialistInstaller Apprentice
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningBusiness
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyStanford University

Hvac specialist vs installer apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between hvac specialists' and installer apprentices' demographics:

Hvac SpecialistInstaller Apprentice
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 95.2% Female, 4.8%Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between hvac specialist and installer apprentice 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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Installer apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Position electric motor and equipment on top of elevator shaft, using hoists and cable slings
  • Raise and move heavy machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, wire rope and cable slings.
  • Test and run system 1 ton - 20 ton.
  • Repair wiring, plumbing, equipment, and machinery.
  • Change elevator call, floor, tire, and switches.
  • Install fencing products for customers, including wood, chain link, and PVC.
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Hvac specialist vs installer apprentice skills

Common hvac specialist skills
  • Ventilation, 12%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Control Systems, 8%
  • Exhaust Fans, 6%
  • Cooling Towers, 5%
Common installer apprentice skills
  • HVAC, 22%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%

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