Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
Is heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers a good career?
It scores 28/100 and ranks #156 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+8.1% through 2034)
- High volume of openings — about 40,100 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- No notable tradeoffs stand out in the wage and projection data.
What heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn between $48,360 and $77,060 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers jobs
No live heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers openings will appear here — each shown against the $61,010 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installer
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
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.
In addition, some states and localities require HVAC technicians to be licensed; check with your state and locality
Manufacturer or industry certification is available for HVAC technicians. Many certifications are optional, although some employers prefer or require specific types.
HVAC technicians may need a driver’s license to travel to jobsites.
Important qualities
Customer-service skills. HVAC technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so they must be friendly, polite, and punctual.
Detail oriented. HVAC technicians must maintain complete records of work performed, including the amount of time it took and specific parts and equipment that were used.
Math skills. HVAC technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the HVACR equipment properly heats or cools the space required.
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.
Physical stamina. HVAC technicians may be required to work in confined or uncomfortable spaces and spend many hours walking, standing, or crouching.
Physical strength. HVAC technicians may have to lift and support heavy equipment and components.
Problem-solving skills. HVAC technicians must be able to identify problems with malfunctioning HVACR systems and then determine the best way to repair them.
Technology skills. Modern HVACR systems contain computerized components and networking features that HVAC technicians must be able to install or repair.
Related occupations
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make?
The national median wage is $61,010 a year, with the middle half earning between $48,360 and $77,060 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 28 of 100 and ranks #156 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +8.1% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installer?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award.
Where do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($84,390). Local pay for every state and metro is below.