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HVAC Careers Are Needed: What You'll Do as a Technician and How Much You'll Make

July 21, 2021

If you’re considering a new, high-paying career, look no further than heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC is one of the most rapidly growing careers you can find, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which estimates jobs in this field will expand by 13 percent by 2028.

There’s a few reasons why these careers are expanding so quickly. One is homeowners using government refunds to upgrade to more energy-efficient comfort systems. Then there’s the ban on R-22 Freon® refrigerants, which impacts older equipment. Lastly, there’s the red-hot real estate market and a property shortage that’s driven a bump in new construction homes.

One of the most wanted positions is working as a HVAC technician. Find out about what they do, how to become one and about how much you can expect to earn.

What Is an HVAC Technician?

A HVAC technician is an individual who repairs, installs and maintains heating and cooling units. Most assist both homeowners and business owners. And, most important, you’ll be knowledgeable about:

Some are HVAC-R pros, which means they also can take care of refrigeration.

Is HVAC a Hard Career?

While HVAC can be physically hard, it can also be extremely fulfilling. As a technician you’ll need to be able to:

  • Work in extreme settings, such as crowded or dirty spaces.
  • Work in hot or cold areas as equipment is usually outdoors.
  • Work evenings, weekends and overtime during peak demand.

One of the biggest misconceptions about HVAC is that it’s a blue-collar career. You need a distinct skill set, extensive instruction and ongoing qualifications.

It’s a good career choice if you want to:

  • Not have a lot of higher education debt.
  • Avoid working at a desk or in an office.
  • Have job security knowing your position can’t be outsourced.
  • Be your own boss and have your own prosperous business.

How to Become an HVAC Technician

To become an HVAC technician, you will require a high school diploma or GED, as well as comprehensive education. Other more specialized (and higher paying) HVAC careers typically must have additional instruction or certifications.

You can be certified by going to classes at a community college or trade school. How long it takes to become an HVAC technician is linked to the program, which is usually six months to two years. Your employer could also want NATE certification. Known as North American Technician Excellence, this industry-leading certification increases your technical knowledge to help you better serve customers.

Career Explorer reports that technicians who have expertise with tablets, electronics and troubleshooting will be in big demand as equipment becomes more technologically advanced.

Another advantage of working in HVAC is little to no instructional debt.

According to Midwest Technical Institute, attending a technical or trade school often is around $15,000. A community college usually runs around $5,000 annually. In contrast, the average student debt for a bachelor’s degree is $25,921.

A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician

Your work schedule might vary depending on your employer. If you do repairs, you may work early, late or be on call. If you work in construction/home building or management, you might have more of a set schedule during typical business hours.

As a technician, you’ll respond to different locations for repair, maintenance or installation work. Some jobs could take longer than others, so the number of calls you can take care of may vary.

As we talked about earlier, you should be comfortable working outdoors in extreme weather, plus in dirty or cramped spaces. If you work in a customer-facing role, good customer service skills are always a plus.

Average Salary for HVAC Technicians and Other HVAC Careers

Since HVAC is a rapidly expanding industry, your salary will reflect it. The national average salary for an HVAC technician is $49,242, according to ZipRecruiter. Top earners receive between $56,600 and $68,000. However, salaries might be different based on your locationand its cost of living.

Other than having your own business, there are a few other other career opportunities. These include:

  • HVAC manager, $72,515 average salary
  • HVAC service manager, $71,176 average salary

Where HVAC Technicians Are in High Demand

HVAC technicians are in demand across the country, but even more so in Florida, California, Texas, New York and Illinois. According to hvacclasses.org, these states employ the most HVAC workers and are going through high construction growth. Here’s why:

  • Florida: Hurricanes, education and healthcare buildings.
  • California: Wildfires, transportation, energy and utility upgrades.
  • Texas: Hurricanes, energy, utility and other infrastructure upgrades.
  • New York: Residential and infrastructure updates.
  • Illinois: Companies flocking to the Chicago area.

Where HVAC Technicians Will Be in High Demand in the Future

Projections Central, who creates long-term occupational projections, forecasts these states to have the biggest demand for technicians by 2028:

  1. Utah, 31.1%
  2. Colorado, 29.7%
  3. Nevada, 27.9%
  4. Arizona, 21.4%
  5. Iowa, Oregon and Montana, 18.5%
  6. Arkansas, 16.3%
  7. Florida, 16.2%
  8. South Carolina, 16%
  9. Texas, 15.9%
  10. Idaho, 15.7%
  11. Washington, 15.6%
  12. North Carolina, 15.5%
  13. Tennessee, 15.2%
  14. Wyoming, 14.3%
  15. Nebraska, 13.9%
  16. Indiana, 13.8%
  17. North Dakota, 13.8%

Here’s where the greatest number of new openings during that time frame are expected to be:

  1. Florida, 5,420
  2. Texas, 5,530
  3. California, 4,100
  4. North Carolina, 2,510
  5. New York, 2,290
  6. Colorado, 2,000
  7. Ohio, 1,550
  8. Pennsylvania, 1,510
  9. Virginia, 1,500
  10. Tennessee, 1,360
  11. Washington, 1,290
  12. Georgia, 1,270
  13. New Jersey, 1,170
  14. Utah, 1,170
  15. South Carolina, 1,1060
  16. Indiana, 940
  17. Maryland, 820
  18. Missouri and Arizona, 810
  19. Michigan, 780

Weather and economic improvement is expected to feed expansion in these states, according to hvacclasses.org.

Build Your HVAC Career with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating

HVAC technicians are needed across the country and in Los Angeles. To discover more about our openings, see our careers page or reach us at 800-296-5088 today!