Construction

HVAC Technician

Do you love saving the day by helping people cool and heat their houses? HVAC can

Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in residential and commercial buildings.

Salary Range

$39,000 – $91,000

per year (10th–90th percentile)

Median Salary

$50,590

per year

Growth Outlook

High Growth(+8%)

2024–2034 projected

HVAC techs can get lots of overtime work since many people require fixes and upgrades during the summer and winter months. The shortage of HVAC techs means there are more opportunities than ever in this space!

Browse HVAC Tech Jobs

Tasks & Responsibilities

Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
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.
Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
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.
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.

Tools of the Trade

Pressure indicatorsVoltage or current metersLevelsPower drillsRefrigerant compressorsAir velocity and temperature monitorsFlowmetersScrewdriversFlow sensorsRazor knivesSoldering ironPower sawsHacksawPipe or tube cutterHex keysMultimetersHygrometersAmmetersOhmmetersGFI circuit testersVacuum pumpsHammersVacuum cleanersPlatform liftTemperature humidity testersHandheld thermometerCapacitance metersPunches or nail sets or driftsThreading die hand toolPortable data input terminalsCalibrated resistance measuring equipmentThermocouplesSafety harnesses or beltsMetal cuttersSingle gas monitorsFrequency calibrator or simulatorLeak testing equipmentOxygen gas analyzersStripping toolsCarbon monoxide analyzerDial indicator or dial gaugeWattmetersFish tapeLifelines or lifeline equipmentAnemometersSmoke detectorsPipe bending toolsDrill press or radial drillResistance thermometersScannersInfrared imagersCalipersTension testersWelder torchSpeed sensorsShackleHeat tracing equipmentPsychrometersPry barsPhasemetersBlow torchTachometersSurface thermometersSheet metal pliersTemperature gaugeLiquid leak detectorsCircuit testerMedical acoustic stethoscopesNotebook computersSound measuring apparatus or decibel meterSocket setsWelding masksSlip or groove joint pliersDepth indicatorsHandheld refractometers or polarimetersBlocks or pulleysGas detectorsHydraulic pumpsExplosimetersMoisture metersHand trucks or accessoriesTelescoping boom liftGogglesDiagonal cut pliersSpecialty wrenchesInspection mirrorOil pumpsVibration testersLongnose pliersElectrical frequency metersLabel making machinesTube bending machinePressure or steam cleanersElectronic measuring probesChemical test strips or papersDrill bit setVacuum gaugesShearsThreading tapsCaulking gunsUltraviolet UV lampsTemperature calibrator or simulatorWater samplersPlotter printersScalesStraight edgesAlignment jigEnd cut pliersPressure sensorsHand reamerWinchesManual wire straightenersOil gunWire lug crimping toolClaw hammerMicrocontrollersPower flaring toolLevel sensors or transmittersMagnetic toolsMetal band sawing machineScrew extractorsSampling manifoldsThermocouple probesWater analyzersTinners snipsPipe reamerTwo way radiosLug crimping tool diesLaddersMicrometersAir compressorsTape measuresCold chiselsGrease gunsManometersWire cuttersSlingsRespiratorsAwlsScaffoldingHoistsNut driversSafety glassesBolt cuttersJacksPullersHold down clampsScribersSpectrometersUtility knivesConduit bendersForkliftspH metersSquaresHand sprayersPotentiometersTongsChalk linesRulersPower grindersCircuit tracersLaser printersTorque wrenchesOpen end wrenchesChart recordersHole sawsAdjustable widemouth pliersDesktop computersSwaging toolsAdjustable wrenchesWire brushesFeeler gaugesStrap wrenchesPersonal computersPipe wrenchesMegohmmetersGlue guns

Knowledge Areas

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 88/100

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 75/100

Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 62/100

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. 61/100

Physics

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes. 60/100

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 58/100

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 57/100

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 54/100

Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. 54/100

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 52/100