Occupation · SOC 49-9021
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Median wage
$59,810
$39,130–$91,020
Projected growth
+8.1%
Faster than average
Annual openings
3,450
per year
Employed (US)
396,870
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
579 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringTroubleshootingCritical ThinkingInstallationRepairingReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisActive Listening
Knowledge areas
MechanicalBuilding and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareIndustrial control softwareWord processing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareFacilities management software
Representative tasks
Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.Install or repair self-contained ground source heat pumps or hybrid ground or air source heat pumps to minimize carbon-based energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.Install auxiliary components to heating or cooling equipment, such as expansion or discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues, or stokers.Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.Perform mechanical overhauls and refrigerant reclaiming.Install expansion and control valves, using acetylene torches and wrenches.Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter's tools.Mount compressor, condenser, and other components in specified locations on frames, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.Record and report time, materials, faults, deficiencies, or other unusual occurrences on work orders.Keep records of repairs and replacements made and causes of malfunctions.Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.Supervise and instruct assistants.Lay out reference points for installation of structural and functional components, using measuring instruments.Lift and align components into position, using hoist or block and tackle.Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, and refilling non-toxic refrigerants.Test pipes, lines, components, and connections for leaks.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Electrical test equipment — identify and use under direct supervision to test circuits and components for continuity on residential HVAC installations.Safety procedures and worksite cleanliness standards — follow consistently under journeyman guidance on active HVAC job sites.Blueprints and manufacturer installation specifications — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to locate component placement on new equipment installations.Basic hand tools and refrigerant gauges — select and handle correctly under direction during introductory HVAC service tasks.Fuel, water, and refrigerant supply lines — connect to heating and cooling equipment under close supervision to complete a basic circuit.System control settings — adjust to manufacturer-recommended values following step-by-step technician guidance during equipment startup.Filters, belts, and accessible HVAC components — clean and replace under supervision as part of a structured preventive maintenance checklist.Customer-reported malfunctions — record and relay accurately to a lead technician to support initial problem isolation on service calls.Electrical, mechanical, and refrigerant system components — distinguish by function and name during orientation-level training on commercial and residential equipment.Troubleshooting workflows — apply entry-level diagnostic steps under supervision to identify obvious faults such as tripped breakers or clogged filters on HVAC systems.
developing
Multimeters, clamp meters, and continuity testers — operate independently to diagnose electrical faults in HVAC control boards and wiring on light-commercial job sites.OSHA safety codes and EPA refrigerant handling regulations — apply routinely and without prompting to maintain compliance across residential and small-commercial service assignments.Design specifications and equipment manuals — read and apply with limited oversight to configure heating and cooling components correctly during installation projects.Heating and cooling system malfunctions — discuss directly with building occupants using active listening skills to narrow the scope of diagnosis before beginning repairs.Refrigerant lines, gas piping, and condensate drains — connect and pressure-test with standard tools to form complete, leak-free systems on replacement equipment jobs.Thermostat and control panel settings — adjust systematically after installation to balance airflow and temperature distribution across residential duct systems.Preventive maintenance schedules — execute independently, including coil cleaning, lubrication, and filter changes, to sustain equipment efficiency on assigned accounts.Installed HVAC systems — inspect and functionally test against plan specifications to verify code compliance and detect operational deficiencies before customer sign-off.Service records and maintenance logs — document accurately using facilities management or CRM software to support scheduling and warranty tracking for a recurring client base.Common mechanical and refrigeration faults — diagnose using deductive reasoning and manufacturer troubleshooting guides to complete routine repairs with minimal supervision.
proficient
Complex electrical control circuits in commercial HVAC equipment — trace, test, and repair autonomously using advanced diagnostic instruments across a full range of system types and voltages.Non-routine system malfunctions — isolate root causes through systematic troubleshooting that integrates mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration knowledge without supervisory input.Multi-system blueprints and engineering specifications — interpret independently to plan and sequence HVAC installations on large commercial or industrial construction sites.Building owners and facility managers — consult with directly to gather malfunction histories, clarify operational expectations, and confirm that completed repairs have resolved reported issues.Refrigerant recovery, evacuation, and recharge procedures — perform in full compliance with EPA Section 608 regulations across multiple refrigerant types on commercial refrigeration systems.Variable-speed drives, economizers, and BAS integration points — commission and calibrate to optimize energy performance and system balance in complex multi-zone commercial installations.Comprehensive preventive maintenance programs — develop, recommend, and execute for commercial accounts, including predictive indicators such as vibration checks and refrigerant subcooling analysis.Installed systems — evaluate against quality control standards using analytical methods to verify performance specifications and document findings in detailed technical reports.CAD drawings and system schematics — produce or redline accurately to reflect as-built conditions and support future service on complex HVAC projects.Emerging HVAC technologies and code changes — integrate proactively into daily practice through self-directed learning to maintain expert-level competency across evolving equipment platforms.
advanced
Departmental safety and quality standards — establish and enforce organization-wide, ensuring all technicians meet OSHA, EPA, and local code requirements across every project type.Technical training curricula for apprentice and journey-level technicians — design and deliver using adult learning principles to accelerate workforce development within the organization.Large-scale commercial and industrial HVAC installation projects — lead from planning through commissioning, coordinating subcontractors, inspectors, and engineering consultants to deliver on schedule and budget.Organizational preventive maintenance strategy — develop and oversee across an entire service portfolio, using data analytics and CRM platforms to drive equipment reliability and contract retention.Complex diagnostic and repair decisions — guide senior technicians on, applying systems analysis and judgment to resolve novel or high-stakes malfunctions that exceed standard troubleshooting protocols.Energy efficiency upgrades and equipment replacement proposals — author and present to facility owners and executives, integrating ROI modeling, regulatory incentives, and lifecycle cost analysis.Quality control inspection programs — design and implement across all service and installation work to ensure consistent compliance with plans, specifications, and company workmanship standards.HVAC department performance metrics — define, monitor, and report to senior leadership, using business intelligence and facilities management software to drive continuous operational improvement.Industry relationships with equipment manufacturers and trade associations — cultivate to influence product selection decisions, access advanced technical resources, and represent the organization in professional forums.Workforce staffing plans and career pathways for HVAC technicians — develop in alignment with organizational growth goals, mentoring high-potential individuals into supervisory and specialist roles.
Also known as
140 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
HVAC Refrigeration Technician (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Refrigeration Technician)Utilities Officer (Marine Corps 1120)High and Low Pressure Cryogenic Technician (Navy 741B)Maintenance MechanicFan InstallerOil Burner MechanicHVAC Journeyman (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Journeyman)InstallerVentilating Equipment InstallerHVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer)Aviation Support Equipment Technician (Navy AS)Hot Air Furnace InstallerMissile And Space Facilities (Air Force 2M0X3)Blower MechanicRenewable Energy Technician (Renewable Energy Tech)Diesel Engine Systems Maintainer (Navy 003653)HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician)Steam Plant Auxiliary Systems Manager (Navy 003651)Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Furnace FitterPublic Works Officer (Navy 4250)Bulk Cooler InstallerHeating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Operations TechnicianOil Furnace InstallerRefrigeration EngineerHeat Pump InstallerHVAC-R Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Service Technician)Stoker InstallerSupport Equipment Cryogenic Mechanic (Navy F17A)Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army 915A)Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration TechnicianHot Air Furnace RepairerRefrigeration InstallerHeating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Control TechnicianTransportation Refrigeration Technician (Transportation Refrigeration Tech)Marine Engineering Officer (Army 881A)Refrigeration Unit RepairerOil Heater InstallerDamage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Oil Burner Repairer