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The differences between installation helpers and hvac apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an installation helper and a hvac apprentice. Additionally, a hvac apprentice has an average salary of $34,073, which is higher than the $31,908 average annual salary of an installation helper.
The top three skills for an installation helper include customer service, HVAC and work ethic. The most important skills for a hvac apprentice are customer service, customer satisfaction, and preventative maintenance.
| Installation Helper | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $31,908 | $34,073 |
| Hourly rate | $15.34 | $16.38 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 33,573 | 25,483 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 50% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 39 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Installation helpers are skilled employees who are responsible for observing equipment and machinery to verify their efficient and safe operations. These helpers are required to assist in troubleshooting equipment after the installation while identifying defects to ensure a timely repair or return of the equipment. They must be skillful in using a variety of hand tools and power tools so that they can install equipment and repair broken parts. Installation helpers must also operate company vehicles such as trucks, forklifts, and construction vehicles.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are trainees who work under HVAC maintenance workers. They train under HVAC maintenance workers to gain actual, on-the-job experience. To be an apprentice, one should have a formal training background related to HVAC repair and maintenance. They may be enrolled in a technical-vocational school specializing in HVAC repair and maintenance. As such, apprenticeship is part of their curriculum or class requirements. During their apprenticeship, HVAC apprentices will experience installing, diagnosing, repair, and maintaining HVAC units firsthand.
Installation helpers and hvac apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Installation Helper | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $31,908 | $34,073 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $41,000 | Between $26,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Las Vegas, NV | Gaithersburg, MD |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | American Water | Johnson Controls |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an installation helper and a hvac apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Installation Helper | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 50% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | - | Dunwoody College of Technology |
Here are the differences between installation helpers' and hvac apprentices' demographics:
| Installation Helper | Hvac Apprentice | |
| Average age | 39 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 2% |