What is a hvac technician and how to become one

Q: Do HVAC technicians make good money?

Yes, HVAC technicians make good money. The average HVAC technician makes around $50,000 a year. However, they can potentially earn upwards of $100,000 based on years of experience, location of position, company, and the number of hours worked.

Q: How much do HVAC technicians make an hour?

HVAC technicians make an average of $20 an hour. The range in potential earning for an HVAC tech starts at $14 to $30 an hour. Factors such as location, position type, and years of experience impact how much an HVAC can make an hour.

Q: How to get an HVAC job with no experience

You get an HVAC job with no experience by going to vocational school or obtaining certifications. If you decide to pursue an HVAC vocational program, this is a great way to gain knowledge and experience. These schools are also great places to prove yourself and begin networking.

Q: Is HVAC a good career?

Yes, HVAC is a good career . Working in HVAC does not require much educational training, it's easy to get into, it has good earning potential, you can work on the road, jobs are in demand, and you help keep people safe.

Q: Is becoming an HVAC tech worth it?

Yes, becoming an HVAC tech is worth it. An HVAC tech earns decent money and is always in demand. Becoming an HVAC is not difficult, and there are many benefits to working as an HVAC tech.

Q: What is the career path for HVAC?

The career path for HVAC includes jobs as a service technician, technical estimator, and service dispatcher. To begin working in HVAC, you must complete a certification program to gain hands-on experience and learn critical skills.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

John Terasconi

A HVAC technician installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. They work with boilers, furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductwork. Their responsibilities include testing electrical circuits and components, replacing defective parts, cleaning equipment, and adjusting system controls. They also require knowledge of environmental regulations and safety standards. HVAC technicians can work independently or as part of a team in a fast-paced environment that requires problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

What general advice would you give to a Hvac Technician?

John Terasconi

Associate Professor, HVAC-R Department Chair, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

The best advice I could give is to stay focused on your job and strive to learn as much as possible. Take the time to truly understand the systems you're working on, continuously develop your skills, and absorb as much knowledge as possible from every source available. The more you know, the more valuable you become.

ScoreHvac TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.3

Avg. Salary $54,496

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.7

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 2.65%

Black or African American 8.25%

Hispanic or Latino 19.88%

Unknown 4.18%

White 64.31%

Gender

female 2.64%

male 97.36%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress Level

7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Hvac Technician?

Pros

Good job security
Opportunity for advancement
Competitive pay
High demand for skilled technicians
Opportunities for continuing education and training

Cons

Exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals
High stress and pressure to meet deadlines
Risk of injury or accidents on the job
High competition in the field
Requires ongoing learning to keep up with new technologies.

Key steps to become a hvac technician

Explore hvac technician education requirements

Most common hvac technician degrees

Associate

28.7 %

High School Diploma

23.5 %

Certificate

19.6 %

Start to develop specific hvac technician skills

Skills	Percentages
HVAC	15.25%
Customer Service	8.76%
Preventative Maintenance	6.66%
Ventilation	6.16%
Hand Tools	4.69%

Complete relevant hvac technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hvac technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a hvac technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hvac technician resumes.

Gain additional hvac technician certifications

Hvac technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific hvac technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for hvac technicians include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

More About Certifications

Research hvac technician duties and responsibilities

Service and maintain HVAC systems by diagnosing and repairing/replacing motors temperatures controls control panels fans switches capacitors gas valves and filters.
Calibrate and adjust combustion efficiency on boilers and furnaces under supervision of manager.
Key responsibilities include repair, maintenance and installation-including electrical wiring- of various HVAC equipment, including low pressure boilers.
Process work orders to repair HVAC systems and restore functionality to malfunctioning systems; perform preventative maintenance and routine servicing.

Prepare your hvac technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hvac technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a hvac technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Hvac Technician Resume templates

Build a professional Hvac Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Hvac Technician resume.

Apply for hvac technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a hvac technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do hvac technicians rate their job?

4.5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Hvac Technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

Fixing problems , make customers happy , be a good team member in the companie, learning more each day....

Cons

I dont like to work in a place or with someone that im not gonna learn eveyday

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Pros

Different work environment ,people , equipment types . Technology

Cons

None recognition for excellence

4.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019

Pros

Love the constant change and challenge of the work. Being outside and on the go instead of in a building or office all day.

Cons

As minimum wage increases and prices increase, the wages are not changing for the Technicians already in the field. New come in at a higher rate and as a result the more experienced people are losing money.

What is a hvac technician and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Hvac Technician?

What are the pros and cons of being a Hvac Technician?

Hvac Technician career paths

Key steps to become a hvac technician

Explore hvac technician education requirements

Most common hvac technician degrees

Start to develop specific hvac technician skills

Complete relevant hvac technician training and internships

Gain additional hvac technician certifications

Research hvac technician duties and responsibilities

Prepare your hvac technician resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Hvac Technician Resume templates

Apply for hvac technician jobs

How Did You Land Your First Hvac Technician Job

Average hvac technician salary

How do hvac technicians rate their job?

Hvac Technician reviews

Hvac Technician FAQs

Do HVAC technicians make good money?

How much do HVAC technicians make an hour?

How to get an HVAC job with no experience

Is HVAC a good career?

Is becoming an HVAC tech worth it?

What is the career path for HVAC?

Search for hvac technician jobs

Hvac Technician jobs by state