Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

Also called: AC Mechanic (Air Conditioner Mechanic), AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician), HVAC Control Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Control Technician), HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer), HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic), HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician), HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician), Refrigeration Mechanic, Refrigeration Operator, Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech), AC Installer (Air Conditioning Installer), AC Service Tech (Air Conditioning Service Technician), AC Servicer (Air Conditioning Servicer), Air Balancing Technician (Air Balancing Tech), Baseboard Heating Installer, Commercial HVAC Service Tech (Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician), Commercial HVAC Tech (Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician), Commercial Refrigeration Service Technician (Commercial Refrigeration Service Tech), Cooling Technician (Cooling Tech), Furnace Installer, Furnace Mechanic, Furnace Repairer, Furnace Setter, Gas Furnace Installer, Heat Pump Installer, Heater Installer, Heating and AC Installer (Heating and Air Conditioning Installer), Heating and AC Servicer (Heating and Air Conditioning Servicer), Heating and AC Tech (Heating and Air Conditioning Technician), Heating Equipment Installer, Heating Installer, Heating Repair Technician (Heating Repair Tech), Heating Systems Installer, Heating Technician (Heating Tech), Heating Unit Mechanic, Hot Air Furnace Installer, Hot Air Furnace Repairer, HVAC Maintenance Technician (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Maintenance Technician), HVAC Operations Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Operations Technician), HVACR Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Service Technician), HVACR Tech (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technician), HVACR Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Refrigeration Technician), Hydronic Balancing Technician (Hydronic Balancing Tech), Refrigeration Installer, Refrigeration Repair Tech (Refrigeration Repair Technician), Refrigeration Service Technician (Refrigeration Service Tech), Refrigeration Systems Installer, Refrigeration Unit Repairer, Residential Heating and Air Conditioning Installer (Residential Heating and AC Installer), Residential HVAC Service Technician (Residential Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician)

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
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.
Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, and refilling non-toxic refrigerants.
Test pipes, lines, components, and connections for leaks.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Troubleshooting
Critical Thinking
Repairing
Reading Comprehension
Installation
Equipment Maintenance
Complex Problem Solving
Equipment Selection
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation

Education and training

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

48,360–77,060 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-9021.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers