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Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $61,010 Median per year · $29.33/hr Most earn $40,050–$95,210

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
  • Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
  • Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
  • Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
  • Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
  • Mount compressor, condenser, and other components in specified locations on frames, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
11% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 40,600 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors67.8%
  • Self-employed (their own business)6.3%
  • Merchant wholesalers, durable goods2.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

On-siteExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This is not usually a straight-out-of-school job, but you can start training right after high school. Most people spend about 2 to 4 years learning on the job and in a certificate or apprenticeship before working independently as an HVAC/R technician.

  1. High school diploma or GED

    4 years

    Build a base in math, science, and hands-on technical classes so you're ready for HVAC training.

  2. HVAC certificate program or apprenticeship

    6 months to 2 years

    Learn heating, cooling, refrigeration, electrical basics, and safety, often with classroom and hands-on lab work.

  3. HVAC Apprentice or Helper

    2 to 4 years

    Work under experienced technicians to install, maintain, and repair systems while building the skills and hours needed to work on your own.

  4. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer

    Ongoing

    Install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems on your own, often with a state or local license depending on where you live.

Where it can lead

  1. Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator

    2-4 years of experience first

    Move into running and maintaining large heating, cooling, and boiler systems in buildings or plants, which often requires passing a license exam.

  2. HVAC Crew Lead or Supervisor

    Several years as a technician of experience first

    Lead a team, plan jobs, give estimates, and handle customers, which adds management and communication skills to your technical work.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsAlgebra, geometry, and physics help you understand pressure, temperature, and airflow, which are core to HVAC work.
  • Take shop or technical classesClasses like electronics, woodworking, auto shop, or drafting build hands-on skills and comfort with tools.
  • Join a trade or technical student clubClubs focused on skilled trades give you practice with competitions, leadership, and workplace skills.
  • Get a summer or part-time jobYard work, handyman help, or a job at a hardware store builds experience with tools and customer contact.
  • Volunteer on a home-building or repair projectHelping with community repair or building projects shows you what hands-on trade work is like.

In college

  • Enroll in an HVAC or refrigeration certificate programA community college or technical school program teaches the core skills employers look for and can lead straight into an apprenticeship.
  • Earn the EPA 608 certificationThis certification is required for handling refrigerants in the U.S., so having it early makes you more hireable.
  • Take electrical and basic computer or controls coursesModern systems use thermostats and control boards, so electrical and controls knowledge are valuable.
  • Look for an internship or part-time helper job with an HVAC contractorWorking alongside technicians gives you paid experience and often counts toward apprenticeship hours.
  • Work in campus or building maintenanceFacilities jobs often involve HVAC equipment, giving you real-world exposure while you study.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local HVAC company or union apprenticeship program about openings; many hire helpers with no experience and train them on the job.
  • Start learning now: basic electrical, math for measurements, and safe tool use will make your training much easier.
  • Look into the EPA Section 608 certification early; it is required to handle refrigerants in the U.S., and many programs include it.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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