Refrigeration And Ac Mechanic
Faustina Bartsch
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These workers install and repair systems in homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. They may need to work in cramped spaces, outdoors, or in extreme temperatures. Most work full time, and schedules may vary.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. These workers may need a license or certification.
About 37,700 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.
HVAC technicians ensure that heating and air conditioning systems work properly to control the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in buildings. Some HVAC technicians specialize in one or more aspects of HVACR, such as radiant heating systems, testing and balancing, or commercial refrigeration in establishments such as grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. In addition, some technicians focus on installing HVACR systems while others primarily repair and maintain them.
HVAC technicians who specialize in residential systems may sell service contracts to their customers, providing periodic maintenance of heating and cooling systems. The service usually includes inspecting the system, cleaning ducts, replacing filters, and checking refrigerant levels.
When installing or repairing air conditioning and refrigeration systems, technicians must follow regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants. These regulations concern the proper handling and disposal of fluids and pressurized gases.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 415,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were as follows:
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians) work in homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. Technicians may be assigned to a single jobsite or to several locations at the beginning of the day. They then travel to each site, making service calls.
Although most technicians work indoors, some may service or repair equipment outdoors in all types of weather. Technicians often work in awkward or cramped spaces, and some work in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating system is not working properly.
HVAC technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Potential hazards include burns from electrical parts or chemicals and muscle strains or sprains from handling heavy equipment or machinery.
Appropriate safety equipment is necessary in handling refrigerants, which are hazardous. HVAC technicians reduce their risk of injury by using proper lifting technique and wearing personal protective equipment. This gear may include special clothing, safety goggles, or masks.
Most HVAC technicians work full time, and schedules may vary to include evening or weekend shifts. They may be on call for emergencies and sometimes work overtime or irregular schedules during peak heating and cooling seasons.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians) typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. HVAC technicians may need a license or certification.
Employers sometimes consider candidates whose highest level of education is a high school diploma. High school students interested in becoming an HVAC technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics.
Newly hired HVAC technicians typically work alongside experienced technicians. They begin with basic tasks, such as insulating refrigerant lines or cleaning furnaces. In time, they take on more difficult tasks, including cutting and soldering pipes or checking electrical circuits.
Some technicians train through an apprenticeship program, which usually lasts several years. Apprenticeships include paid on-the-job training, as well as some technical instruction, each year. Over the course of the apprenticeship, technicians learn about topics such as safety practices, blueprint reading, and heating and cooling systems. They also learn to use a variety of tools.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires nearly all HVAC technicians to be certified in proper refrigerant handling. Certification requires passing an exam, which is typically included as part of completing a postsecondary HVACR program.
Manufacturer or industry certification is available for HVAC technicians. For example, North American Technical Excellence (NATE) and the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) offer entry-level and specialist certifications. Many certifications are optional, although some employers prefer or require specific types.
Mechanical skills. HVAC technicians install and work on complicated climate-control systems, so they must understand the HVACR components and be able to properly assemble, repair, and program them, as needed.
Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive employment growth. The growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems is also expected to increase demand for qualified heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians).
Repair and replacement of HVACR systems is a large part of what technicians do. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and pollution reduction is likely to increase the demand for HVAC technicians as climate-control systems are retrofitted, upgraded, or replaced entirely.
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
For more details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local HVACR contractors, firms that employ HVAC technicians, or local union-management HVAC apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.
The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.
The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.
The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.
The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.
The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.
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