### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			heating air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers imageHVACR technicians must follow EPA rules when they work with gases and refrigerants.							
						Quick Facts:     Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers2023     Median Pay
            						$57,300     per year
										$27.55     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    415,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    6% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    23,000What Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
HVACR technicians work mostly in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, or factories. Their worksites may be very hot or cold because the heating and cooling systems they must repair may not be working properly and because some parts of these systems are located outdoors. Working in cramped spaces and during irregular hours is common.
            
                                                How to Become a Heating, Air Conditioning, or Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
                                                
                        
Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with postsecondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship. Some states and localities may require technicians to be licensed.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $57,300 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow							 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Do 
            

			Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration and mechanics and installersHVACR technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.			
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called *HVACR technicians*—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.
Duties
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically do the following:
Install, clean, and maintain 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 performedHeating and air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in homes, businesses, and other buildings. By providing a climate-controlled environment, refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items.
Some HVACR technicians specialize in one or more specific aspects of HVACR, such as radiant heating systems, solar panels, testing and balancing, or commercial refrigeration.
When installing or repairing air conditioning and refrigeration systems, technicians must follow government regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants. The regulations include those concerning the proper handling and disposal of fluids and pressurized gases.
Some HVACR technicians sell service contracts to their clients, providing periodic maintenance of heating and cooling systems. The service usually includes inspecting the system, cleaning ducts, replacing filters, and checking refrigerant levels.
Other workers sometimes help HVACR technicians install or repair cooling and heating systems. For example, on a large air conditioning installation job, especially one in which workers are covered by union contracts, ductwork may be installed by sheet metal workers, electrical work by electricians, and pipework by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Boiler systems are sometimes installed by a boilermaker.
Home appliance repairers usually service window air conditioners and household refrigerators.
 Work Environment
			Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration and mechanics and installersHVACR technicians work indoors and outdoors.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 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:
        Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors
                67%Self-employed workers
                8Wholesale trade
                3Educational services; state, local, and private
                3Retail trade
                3HVACR technicians work mostly in homes, schools, stores, hospitals, office buildings, or factories. Some technicians are assigned to specific jobsites at the beginning of each day. Others travel to several different locations, making service calls.
Although most technicians work indoors, some may have to work on outdoor heat exchangers, even in bad 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.
Injuries and Illnesses
HVACR technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Potential hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains, and injuries from handling heavy equipment.
Appropriate safety equipment is necessary in handling refrigerants, because they are hazardous and contact can cause skin damage, frostbite, or blindness. When working in tight spaces, inhalation of refrigerants is also a potential hazard. Several refrigerants are highly flammable and require additional care.
Work Schedules
The majority of HVACR technicians work full time. Evening or weekend shifts may be required, and HVACR technicians often work overtime or irregular hours during peak heating and cooling seasons.
 How to Become a Heating, Air Conditioning, or Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer

			Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration and mechanics and installersNew HVACR technicians typically begin by working alongside experienced technicians.			
Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with postsecondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship. Some states and localities may require technicians to be licensed. Workers may need to pass a background check prior to being hired.
Education
Many HVACR technicians receive postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.
High school students interested in becoming an HVACR technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics. Knowledge of plumbing or electrical work and a basic understanding of electronics is also helpful.
Training
New HVACR technicians typically begin by working alongside experienced technicians. At first, they perform basic tasks such as insulating refrigerant lines or cleaning furnaces. In time, they move on to more difficult tasks, including cutting and soldering pipes or checking electrical circuits.
Some technicians receive their training through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship programs usually last 3 to 5 years. Over the course of the apprenticeship, technicians learn safety practices, blueprint reading, and how to use tools. They also learn about the numerous systems that heat and cool buildings.
Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship requirements vary by state and locality.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all technicians who buy, handle, or work with refrigerants to be certified in proper refrigerant handling. Many trade schools, unions, and employer associations offer training programs designed to prepare students for the EPA certification exam.
In addition, some states and localities require HVACR technicians to be licensed; check with your state and locality for more information.
Important Qualities
***Customer-service skills.*** HVACR technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so it is important that they be friendly, polite, and punctual. Repair technicians sometimes deal with unhappy customers whose heating or air conditioning is not working.
***Detail oriented.*** HVACR technicians must carefully maintain records of all work performed. The records must include the nature of the work performed and the time it took, as well as a list of specific parts and equipment that were used.
***Math skills.***HVACR technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the HVACR equipment properly heats or cools the space required.
***Mechanical skills.*** HVACR technicians install and work on complicated climate-control systems, so they must understand the HVAC components and be able to properly assemble, disassemble, and, if needed, program them.
***Physical stamina.*** HVACR technicians may spend many hours walking and standing. The constant physical activity can be tiring.
***Physical strength.*** HVACR technicians may have to lift and support heavy equipment and components, often without help.
***Time-management skills.*** HVACR technicians frequently have a set number of daily maintenance calls. They should be able to keep a schedule and complete all necessary repairs or tasks.
***Troubleshooting skills.*** HVACR technicians must be able to identify problems on malfunctioning heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and then determine the best way to repair them.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersMedian annual wages, May 2023Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers$57,300  Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations$53,920  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $57,300 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,250.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Wholesale trade
                $60,980Educational services; state, local, and private
                58,390Retail trade
                57,720Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors
                54,490Apprentices usually earn about half of the wage paid to experienced workers. As they learn to do more, their pay increases.
Most HVACR technicians work full time. Evening or weekend shifts may be required, and HVACR technicians often work overtime or irregular hours during peak heating and cooling seasons.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers6%  Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow				 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			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.
			Employment
	
			
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 (HVACR) 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 HVACR technicians as climate-control systems are retrofitted, upgraded, or replaced entirely.
			

                        Employment projections data for     heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers**
			49-9021
			415,800
			438,800
			6
			23,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** 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 OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** 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.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Boilermakers**
            Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $71,140**Electricians**
            Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,590**Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters**
            Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,550**Sheet Metal Workers**
            Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $58,780**Solar Photovoltaic Installers**
            Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,800**General Maintenance and Repair Workers**
            General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,700**Wind Turbine Technicians**
            Wind turbine service technicians maintain and repair wind turbines.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $61,770**Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators**
            Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $67,640
 Contacts for More Information
								
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local contractors, or local union–management HVACR apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627.
For more information about career opportunities, training, and certification, visit
Associated Builders and Contractors
North American Technician Excellence
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association
Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, and Service Techs

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
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