How to hire an installer apprentice

How to hire an installer apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step installer apprentice hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an installer apprentice job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new installer apprentice
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an installer apprentice do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your installer apprentice job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an installer apprentice for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an installer apprentice to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an installer apprentice that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of installer apprentice salaries for various roles:

   Type of Installer Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Installer Apprentice	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.	$13-23
   Hvac-R Technician	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... Show more	$16-37
   Hvac Technician	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... Show more	$17-38

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Plumbing
   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • Tape Measure
   • OSHA
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Safety Procedures
   • Air-Conditioning Systems
   • Drill Holes
   • Brazing
   • Electrical Circuits
   • CCTV
   • Electrical Test Equipment

   Check all skills

   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.

   More installer apprentice duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your installer apprentice job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An installer apprentice salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, installer apprentices' average salary in west virginia is 46% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level installer apprentices earn 43% less than senior-level installer apprentices.
   • Certifications. An installer apprentice with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an installer apprentice's salary.

   Average installer apprentice salary

   $37,507yearly

   $18.03 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level installer apprentice salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average installer apprentice salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$51,809	$25
   2	Connecticut	$50,623	$24
   3	District of Columbia	$49,195	$24
   4	New Jersey	$44,581	$21
   5	Colorado	$44,238	$21
   6	Illinois	$43,586	$21
   7	Washington	$43,083	$21
   8	Louisiana	$42,037	$20
   9	Indiana	$42,018	$20
   10	Oregon	$41,866	$20
   11	Minnesota	$41,607	$20
   12	New York	$41,162	$20
   13	Virginia	$39,813	$19
   14	Texas	$37,278	$18
   15	North Carolina	$35,851	$17
   16	Tennessee	$35,530	$17
   17	Ohio	$34,690	$17
   18	Georgia	$32,769	$16
   19	Arkansas	$30,093	$14

   Average installer apprentice salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Kohler Co.	$44,150	$21.23
   2	Rite-Hite	$43,230	$20.78	6
   3	ENCON Heating	$41,256	$19.83	6
   4	Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise System	$39,033	$18.77	89
   5	Closet Factory	$38,694	$18.60	37
   6	Cook Solutions Group	$38,272	$18.40	6
   7	Telamon	$38,064	$18.30	13
   8	American Standard Brands	$37,865	$18.20
   9	One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning	$37,479	$18.02	99
   10	Aire Serv	$37,429	$17.99	69
   11	EMCOR Group	$37,405	$17.98	19
   12	Precision Plumbing	$37,405	$17.98
   13	Affordable Heating & Air Conditioning	$37,172	$17.87	2
   14	Arvig	$37,095	$17.83
   15	Ferguson Enterprises	$36,979	$17.78	1
   16	Lone Star Analysis	$36,976	$17.78
   17	Bay Home & Window	$36,961	$17.77	2
   18	Lochridge-Priest	$36,942	$17.76
   19	The Cook & Boardman Group	$36,879	$17.73	13
   20	California	$36,877	$17.73	4

4. Writing an installer apprentice job description

   An installer apprentice job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an installer apprentice job description:

   Installer apprentice job description example

   With more than 200 locations throughout the United States and Canada, Aire Serv is a trusted name in the field of heating and air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair. We are proud of our reputation for putting clients first and getting the job done right the first time, every time. We are a team of qualified experts dedicated to living our code of values of Respect, Integrity, and Customer Focus while having fun in the process!
   
   As an Installation Professional Apprentice, you are a key member of our team responsible for the quality and efficient installation of refrigeration, heating and air conditioning systems. You will also develop new customers by identifying opportunities to sell additional work. Exemplifying our code of values, you show respect and courtesy to all customers and employees.
   Specific Responsibilities:
   
   Installation, maintenance, repair of refrigeration, heating and air conditioning systems Insure the efficient use of materials and maintain adequate stock of necessary equipment Perform other duties as needed which may include cross-training in related positions Show up on time Job Requirements:
   
   Able to lift up to 50-100 lbs Excellent communication skills Professional appearance and personality Pass background check and drug screen Benefits: Benefits package varies by location
   
   Pay: 10$ - 20$ HourFull and part time positions available.
   
   We are actively interviewing for this position - Apply today and our hiring manager will follow up! *All independently owned and operated franchised businesses operate under the service brands’ marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, emblems, slogans, or other indicia of origin in connection with the Aire Serv® franchise system within a specified geographical area. Only the independently owned and operated franchised business shall have any interaction with or authority for its business and make all employment related decisions related to its franchised business.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right installer apprentice for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with installer apprentices they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit installer apprentices who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your installer apprentice job on Zippia to find and recruit installer apprentice candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit installer apprentices, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new installer apprentice

   Once you've selected the best installer apprentice candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new installer apprentice. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an installer apprentice?