HVACR CAREER PATH OUTLOOK

Wherever there’s air conditioning, ventilation, heating or refrigeration systems, there are technicians who install, maintain and repair them. HVAC and HVACR technicians work with their hands and use problem-solving skills to find HVACR solutions for their clients.

If you’re considering a new career path, consider a career as an HVAC technician. This industry is full of essential workers who are needed throughout the country to work on these important machines and systems. Continue reading to learn about potential HVAC technician career path opportunities to see if an HVAC career path might be for you.¹

What Is HVACR? What Do HVACR Technicians Do?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVACR includes all of these systems, plus refrigeration systems.

HVACR technicians install, clean, maintain and repair HVACR systems that control the humidity, temperature and air quality in a building. They inspect and test various components of these systems, communicating any malfunctions to customers and replacing or repairing defective or worn parts.

HVACR techs provide maintenance recommendations to keep HVACR systems in top working condition. They also need to keep detailed records of the work they’ve performed.

Many professionals enjoy being in an HVAC technician career because they get to perform their duties on different worksites, solve problems hands-on and offer solutions to keep customers in their community happy.

What Does a Career in HVAC Industry Look Like?

There are diverse HVACR career paths available, depending on the types of systems you’re interested in and how you’d like to shape your daily work schedule. Some HVACR technicians work their way up the ladder with a single employer, eventually pursuing leadership positions in management and other higher roles.

The following are some of the typical aspects that can be expected from an HVACR career. 

Needed HVACR Education & Certifications

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers usually prefer that entry-level HVACR technicians have completed postsecondary education or an apprenticeship, since HVACR systems are becoming increasingly complex.

Fortunately, the HVACR Technician program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) can be completed in less than a year, and is designed to include the following courses:

• HVACR Core and Basic Electricity
• Electric Motors, OSHA
• Heating Systems I and II
• Basic Refrigeration Systems
• Commercial Refrigeration I and II
• Indoor Air Fundamentals and Duct Fabrication
• Air Conditioning Systems I and II
• Construction Codes and EPA 608
• NATE Core and Building Management

Our instructors teach safety procedures, how to use industry tools, how to perform a variety of manual skills, customer relations skills, mechanical and electronic controls, troubleshooting and more.

In addition to postsecondary education, some employers hire candidates based on their certifications. Any HVACR technician who services, repairs, maintains or disposes of equipment dealing with refrigerants must be certified with the Section 608 Technician Certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The R-410A Certification, which demonstrates a technician has passed the competency requirements to handle Refrigerant 410A, is also available.

The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification is another HVACR certification that confirms HVACR skills competency.    

Upon graduation, students in our program are prepared to test for all these certifications, in addition to having taken OSHA 10-Hour exam that focuses on general construction safety, as well as U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Respect in the Workplace training.

HVAC Career Paths

There are different potential HVACR career paths available, depending on your interests, expertise, education and work skills. Most of our grads start out working as entry-level technicians or in other entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, they may be able to advance in their career with experience and hard work.⁷⁷

Entry-level

• HVACR technicians: HVACR technicians install, repair and maintain heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. They might specialize in a specific HVACR area, such as commercial refrigeration, solar panels, radiant heating systems, or testing and balancing.

Advanced

• HVACR engineers: HVACR engineers work for HVACR firms, equipment manufacturers and engineering firms. They help design systems and collaborate with HVACR technicians in their work.
• HVACR managers and executives: Many leaders in the HVACR industry have experience working as HVACR technicians or in other fields. HVACR leaders may work as project managers or lead teams of HVACR technicians who work in the field.
• HVACR business owners: Some HVACR technicians open their own businesses and sell service contracts to clients.

Career potential in the HVACR industry is diverse. Whichever area you may be interested in, there are opportunities to get there.

HVAC Career Salary

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for HVACR technicians in the U.S. was $57,300 in May 2023.⁵⁸ This means half earned more and half earned less.

Also according to the BLS, the top areas based on median annual salary for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers in May 2023 were:

1. District of Columbia: $78,750
2. Alaska: $75,380
3. Massachusetts: $75,190
4. Hawaii: $67,660
5. Minnesota: $65,810

Keep in mind that these salaries are not entry level and depend on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

HVACR Industry Demand

The BLS reports there were 441,200 heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and installer jobs in the U.S. in 2023. There’s a demand for skilled HVACR technicians. In fact, total HVACR technician employment is expected to exceed 437,000 by 2032.⁷²