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The differences between hvac technicians and hvac-r 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 technician and a hvac-r technician. Additionally, a hvac technician has an average salary of $54,496, which is higher than the $53,354 average annual salary of a hvac-r technician.
The top three skills for a hvac technician include HVAC, customer service and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a hvac-r technician are HVAC/R, ventilation, and plumbing.
| Hvac Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $54,496 | $53,354 |
| Hourly rate | $26.20 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 86,709 | 85,555 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An HVAC technician is qualified personnel who installs and repairs air-conditioning and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in both residential and commercial buildings. A technician's job may include repairing of pipe that is leaking, replacing a defective mechanical part, or adjust equipment setting for better performance. However, an HVAC technician must follow government regulations and local HVAC codes and should take the licensure examination. Some HVAC technicians are working for contractors, while others are self-employed.
HVAC-R Technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems. Their duties include repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC-R equipment and systems, inspect equipment maintenance risks, diagnose mechanical and electrical faults, adjusting and cleaning systems, and carrying out warranty services. They maintain accurate maintenance records, assist with customer inquiries, give technical direction, provide mentorship to the junior technicians as well as ensure work complies with service, appliance, and safety standards.
Hvac technicians and hvac-r technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hvac Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Average salary | $54,496 | $53,354 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $81,000 | Between $35,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Lynnwood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Better |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a hvac technician and a hvac-r technician in terms of educational background:
| Hvac Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | Dunwoody College of Technology | Dunwoody College of Technology |
Here are the differences between hvac technicians' and hvac-r technicians' demographics:
| Hvac Technician | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |