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The differences between installer apprentices 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 an installer apprentice and a hvac-r technician. Additionally, a hvac-r technician has an average salary of $53,354, which is higher than the $37,507 average annual salary of an installer apprentice.
The top three skills for an installer apprentice include HVAC, plumbing and hand tools. The most important skills for a hvac-r technician are HVAC/R, ventilation, and plumbing.
| Installer Apprentice | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,507 | $53,354 |
| Hourly rate | $18.03 | $25.65 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 21,751 | 85,555 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An elevator installer apprentice is a trainee who trains under a skilled elevator installer to install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, and other lifts. Elevator installer apprentices must assist in assembling elevator cars as well as connecting electrical wiring to control panels and electric motors. They are required to test installed equipment to ensure that it meets specifications and standards. Elevator installer apprentices must also conduct preventive maintenance and inspections of elevators on a scheduled basis to ensure compliance with safety regulations and building codes.
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.
Installer apprentices and hvac-r technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Installer Apprentice | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,507 | $53,354 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $49,000 | Between $35,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Lynnwood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Kohler Co. | Better |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an installer apprentice and a hvac-r technician in terms of educational background:
| Installer Apprentice | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Heating And Air Conditioning |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Dunwoody College of Technology |
Here are the differences between installer apprentices' and hvac-r technicians' demographics:
| Installer Apprentice | Hvac-R Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |