Skilled Trades & Construction career

HVAC Technician

Also called: HVAC/R Technician · Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic · Refrigeration Technician · HVAC Installer

What HVAC technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an HVAC technician do?

HVAC technicians install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems that control temperature and air quality in homes, businesses and industrial facilities. The median pay is $61,010 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–24 months, and employment is projected to grow +10.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $61,010
    $29.33/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +10.9%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    40,600
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6–24 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    440,900
    Employment, 2025

What HVAC technicians do

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) technicians, often called HVAC/R when refrigeration is included, install furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners and ductwork, perform seasonal maintenance, and diagnose problems with electrical controls, airflow and refrigerant circuits.

Training usually takes six months to two years at a technical school, or longer through an apprenticeship. Federal law requires EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants. Demand is growing with new efficiency standards, heat pump adoption and the transition to lower-impact refrigerants.

Typical duties

  • Install heating, cooling and ventilation equipment and ductwork
  • Perform preventive maintenance on systems
  • Diagnose electrical, airflow and refrigerant problems
  • Recover, recycle and charge refrigerants according to EPA rules
  • Test pressures, temperatures, voltage and airflow
  • Replace parts such as motors, capacitors, compressors and controls
  • Explain repairs and efficiency options to customers

Work environment and schedule

HVAC technicians work in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, factories and stores. Work can be in attics, crawlspaces, rooftops and mechanical rooms, in extreme heat or cold. Hazards include electrical shock, burns, refrigerants and falls.

Schedule: Mostly full-time, with heavy overtime in peak summer and winter seasons. Many techs take rotating on-call shifts for emergencies.

A day in the life

  1. Review dispatch: two no-cool calls, one maintenance agreement and a heat pump install.
  2. Diagnose a no-cool call: the outdoor unit hums but the fan won’t start: test and replace a failed run capacitor.
  3. Perform spring maintenance: clean the condenser coil, check electrical connections and measure superheat.
  4. Join the install crew to set a new heat pump, braze line sets and pull a vacuum to 500 microns.

See a full day in the life of an HVAC technician →

HVAC Technician salary

Half of HVAC technicians earned more than $61,010 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,050 for the lowest 10% to $95,210 for the top 10%.

Full HVAC technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an HVAC technician

  1. Finish high school
  2. Complete HVAC training
  3. Get EPA 608 certified
  4. Start as an apprentice or helper
  5. Advance

Most HVAC technicians complete a postsecondary program at a technical or community college (six months to two years) or a three- to five-year apprenticeship. EPA Section 608 certification is legally required to purchase and handle most refrigerants.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an HVAC technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Refrigeration cycle diagnostics
  • Electrical troubleshooting
  • Brazing and refrigerant handling
  • Airflow and duct design basics
  • Heat pump and furnace service

People skills

  • Customer service
  • Logical problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Professional communication

All HVAC technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast entry through six-month to two-year programs
  • Faster than average job growth
  • Variety: troubleshooting, installs and customer work
  • Strong path to commercial, controls or business ownership

Cons

  • Extreme temperatures in attics and on rooftops
  • Seasonal rushes with long hours
  • Physical demands and job-site hazards
  • Continuous learning as refrigerants and technology change

Certifications and licenses

  • EPA Section 608: Federal certification required to work with refrigerants; Type I, II, III or Universal.
  • NATE certification: North American Technician Excellence credentials recognized by employers.
  • State or local HVAC license: Required in many states and cities, especially to run a business.
  • OSHA 10: Safety training often required on construction jobs.

Career path

  1. HVAC Helper or Apprentice: Assist on installs and maintenance.
  2. Service Technician: Diagnose and repair systems independently.
  3. Lead Tech or Commercial/Controls Specialist: Handle complex systems and train others.
  4. Service Manager or Contractor: Run operations or your own business.

Learn the job before day one

Our HVAC Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as diagnose an AC that isn’t cooling and check refrigerant charge using subcooling, safety and how to land your first job.

View HVAC Technician trainingIs this career right for me?

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HVAC Technician FAQ

How long does HVAC training take?

Technical school programs take about six months to two years. Apprenticeships can take three to five years and combine paid work with classes.

Do HVAC technicians need a license?

EPA Section 608 certification is required nationwide to handle refrigerants, and many states and cities also require a license.

Is HVAC a good career?

Employment is projected to grow faster than average, and skilled technicians are in demand, especially for heat pumps and commercial systems.

How much does an HVAC technician make?

The median annual wage for HVAC technicians was $61,010 ($29.33 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,050 and the highest 10% earned more than $95,210.

How long does it take to become an HVAC technician?

Most people need about 6–24 months of training. Most HVAC technicians complete a postsecondary program at a technical or community college (six months to two years) or a three- to five-year apprenticeship. EPA Section 608 certification is legally required to purchase and handle most refrigerants.

Do you need a degree to be an HVAC technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More HVAC technician questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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