When heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration goes out in a building, that could lead to hassle and stress, operations being forced to close and, at worst, safety risks for the inhabitants inside. Think about what would happen if a hospital’s air conditioning failed in the middle of a heat wave. Or if the heat went out on a university campus during a blizzard. Or if the refrigeration systems for a remote hotel malfunctioned.

When problems like these arise, maintenance technicians come to the rescue. Maintenance technicians may specialize in an area like heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, otherwise known as HVACR. They might work for a single employer or for a variety of businesses in a single day, solving problems and making sure essential equipment works in excellent condition.

Here, you can learn more about what an HVACR maintenance technician does and how you can enter this field – one that’s so important to so many people, businesses and organizations.  

What Does an HVACR Maintenance Technician Do?

Maintenance technician work depends on the employer. Some maintenance technicians work for a single, large employer and offer on-call support whenever the facility needs it. Some maintenance technicians may head out on jobs to various sites that don’t have full-time maintenance technician professionals.

Some of the duties in a maintenance technician job description might include:

• Fixing and maintaining HVACR systems
• Troubleshooting, diagnosing issues and solving problems
• Installing equipment and training others how to use it correctly

Maintenance technicians typically need to keep detailed, clear records of their work. They might need to estimate repairs and costs for their clients as well.

How to Become a Maintenance Technician

Maintenance technicians need to be comfortable working with their hands, using tools and moving around on the job. They’re also major problem solvers, so they use analytical skills and communication skills to fix issues and keep their clients happy.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HVACR maintenance technician employers generally prefer workers who have completed postsecondary education. Many HVACR professionals have attended HVACR trade school to prepare to test for industry certifications. The benefits of formal education include:

• Safe, supervised training in a supportive environment
• Skills development in maintenance areas including schematics use and interpretation, piping, circuitry, ductwork, electronic and mechanical troubleshooting and customer relations
• Education you can list on a résumé, LinkedIn profile and job applications to help you stand out as an applicant

Formal training can be completed in less than a year. Another benefit is the confidence you might feel to start pursuing a career right away.¹

Also, trade school can help students find job opportunities in the areas where they want to work. At our school, the Career Services department can help students connect with employers and apply for jobs.

What Career Paths Are Available to a Maintenance Technician?

Career opportunities as a maintenance technician will depend on a variety of factors. Some maintenance technicians pursue specialized education and certifications.

There are leadership positions available in the maintenance field for experienced maintenance technicians, who may go on to become supervisors, trainers, managers and executive leaders in the industry. It’s helpful to find a mentor and work on developing skills like leadership and communication if you want to advance as a manager in the field.

Some maintenance workers are entrepreneurs who start their own HVACR repair businesses. There are also maintenance technicians who move into roles like maintenance project managers or consultants.

Because roles like these in HVACR maintenance offer diverse opportunities in the field, salary can also vary widely. For an idea of maintenance technician salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for HVACR technicians in the United States was $51,390 in May 2022.⁵⁸ This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

Your potential can be influenced by where you work, who you work for and the training required to develop your skills in the field.

READ MORE: HVACR CAREER INFORMATION

Get Training to Pursue HVACR Maintenance Technician Career Licensing

The HVACR program at UTI prepares students to pursue licensing for entry-level work as HVACR technicians, performing maintenance and ensuring critical operations stay up and running.

Learn from experienced instructors in hands-on labs that mirror the field and graduate career-ready in less than one year.

For more information on the HVACR program, request info. An Admissions Representative will reach out to tell you about start dates, career resources, financial aid and other helpful resources that will help you prepare for an exciting hands-on career.¹⁰

Campuses that Offer HVACR Technician Training

Program coming to Avondale, Long Beach and Sacramento campuses pending regulatory approval.

• Austin, Texas
• Avondale, Arizona
• Canton, Michigan
• Houston, Texas
• Long Beach, California
• Mooresville, North Carolina
• Sacramento, California