Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between hvac technicians and installers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a hvac technician, becoming an installer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a hvac technician has an average salary of $54,496, which is higher than the $39,799 average annual salary of an installer.
The top three skills for a hvac technician include HVAC, customer service and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an installer are customer service, windows, and plumbing.
| Hvac Technician | Installer | |
| Yearly salary | $54,496 | $39,799 |
| Hourly rate | $26.20 | $19.13 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 86,709 | 30,303 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
Installers are assigned to assemble equipment or fixtures in the client's work or home area. They should have extensive knowledge of the product they will install to ensure it works as intended. They should also be familiar with handling different tools, especially those that would help them build the product. Installers should be able to walk the client through how to use the product. They should also be able to answer any inquiries that the client may have. Installers should have quick decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and creativity.
Hvac technicians and installers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hvac Technician | Installer | |
| Average salary | $54,496 | $39,799 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $81,000 | Between $31,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Pella |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a hvac technician and an installer in terms of educational background:
| Hvac Technician | Installer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Business |
| Most common college | Dunwoody College of Technology | - |
Here are the differences between hvac technicians' and installers' demographics:
| Hvac Technician | Installer | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |