What does an HVAC technician do? Duties, pay, training and outlook
HVAC technicians, formally heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers, install, maintain and repair heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Many train through a certificate or associate's program or an apprenticeship, and the EPA requires nearly all of them to hold refrigerant handling certification.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| O*NET-SOC code | 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers) |
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Licensing | Some states and localities license technicians; EPA refrigerant certification applies |
| Median annual wage | $61,010 per year (May 2025, BLS) |
| Projected growth | 11 percent, 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 440,900 (2025) |
| Projected openings | About 40,600 per year, on average, over the decade |
What does a HVAC technician do?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists these duties:
- Install, maintain and repair HVACR systems.
- Install electrical components and wiring.
- Inspect and test HVACR systems and components.
- Discuss system malfunctions with customers.
- Repair or replace worn or defective parts.
- Recommend maintenance to improve system performance.
- Keep records of work performed.
Work environment
Largest employers by share of jobs: Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 68 percent; self-employed workers 6 percent; wholesale trade 3 percent. Most technicians work full time, and schedules may include evenings or weekends. They may be on call and work overtime during peak heating and cooling seasons.
Education, training and licensing
- Education: Technical and trade schools or community colleges offer programs that generally last six months to two years and lead to a certificate or associate's degree. Some employers accept candidates with a high school diploma, and high school students should take vocational education, math and physics.
- Apprenticeship: Some technicians learn through apprenticeships, which usually last several years and include paid on-the-job training and yearly technical instruction.
- EPA certification: The EPA requires nearly all HVAC technicians to be certified in proper refrigerant handling. The certification exam is typically part of a postsecondary HVACR program.
- Licensing and other credentials: Some states and localities require licensing. Manufacturer and industry certifications exist, and some employers prefer or require specific ones. Technicians may also need a driver's license to travel to jobsites.
Skills that matter
The OOH names customer-service skills, detail orientation, math skills, mechanical skills, physical stamina, physical strength, problem-solving skills and technology skills. O*NET lists the knowledge, skills and tasks for this occupation in its Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers summary.
How much do heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $61,010 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,050 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $95,210.
Median annual wage by industry, May 2025 (BLS):
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Wholesale trade | $71,190 |
| Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | $60,030 |
See the OOH pay tab and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for more detail. Our guide on how to research pay explains how to read these numbers.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 40,600 openings projected each year on average over the decade.
How to get hired
- Pick a training route. Compare a certificate or associate's program with a sponsored apprenticeship, and confirm that the program prepares you for the EPA refrigerant handling exam.
- Check local licensing. Ask your state or city licensing office whether technicians must be licensed.
- Show reliability. Customers' homes and offices are the workplace, so the OOH stresses being friendly, polite and punctual. Our career change resume guide helps if you are coming from another trade.
- Search steadily. Use our find a job fast routine and search jobs on LiveRec, and try peak-season hiring when demand rises.
Related occupations
Electricians; Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters; Boilermakers; Sheet metal workers; Solar photovoltaic installers.
Related guides on LiveRec: electricians, plumbers.
Frequently asked questions
Do HVAC technicians need a license? Some states and localities require licensing. The EPA also requires nearly all technicians to hold refrigerant handling certification.
How long does HVAC training take? Postsecondary programs generally last six months to two years. Apprenticeships usually last several years.
Do you need college to be an HVAC technician? Not necessarily. Some employers accept a high school diploma, though the typical entry-level education is a postsecondary nondegree award.
Is HVAC a growing career? BLS projects 11 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Related guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9021.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.