HTHVAC Technician
HT
Career

HVAC Technician

By the numbers
Typical pay
$61,010 / yr
Education to start
Postsecondary nondegree award
Future demand
+8.1% by 2034
People in this job
410K
Figures shown for ·1 O*NET occupation
The work
Watch · day in the life
A day, hour by hour
07:00
Route & prep

Check the day's job list, load the van with parts and tools.

07:45
First call: tune-up

Clean filters, coils, and drain lines on a residential AC unit.

09:15
Diagnose & decide

System won't cool — gauge refrigerant, test pressure, find the culprit.

10:30
Repair or replace?

Compressor is shot; weigh repair cost against a full unit swap.

11:00
Customer walkthrough

Explain what failed, show the numbers, let the homeowner decide.

12:30
New install

Crawl the attic, run duct lines, mount and wire a new furnace.

15:00
Parts swap

Swap a burned-out fan motor; test the system before leaving the site.

16:30
Wrap & restock

Log job notes, restock the van, flag any parts to order overnight.

Things you do
  • Diagnose why a heating or cooling system stopped working.
  • Install brand-new AC units, furnaces, and ductwork in buildings.
  • Crawl into attics and tight spaces to run duct lines.
  • Use gauges and meters to test refrigerant levels and pressure.
  • Swap out worn parts like motors, compressors, and fan belts.
Decisions you’ll make
  • Can I repair this old unit, or is it cheaper to just replace it?
  • Is this really a bad part, or am I misreading the symptoms?
  • Should I shut this system down now, or is it safe to keep running?
  • Do I upsell the pricier system, or the one this family can afford?
  • Is that smell a dangerous gas leak, or just dust burning off?
Education Pathways · how you get there
8 in 100 went the college route · 92 in 100 found another way in None, typically
Education mapped from O*NET:Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers · 98% related
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