About This Career Path
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Construction & Architecture
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Construction & Architecture Industry
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Average
$50,420
ANNUAL
$24.24
HOURLY
Entry Level
$29,670
ANNUAL
$14.26
HOURLY
Mid Level
$47,590
ANNUAL
$22.88
HOURLY
Expert Level
$77,110
ANNUAL
$37.07
HOURLY
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
13,650
Projected job openings through 2030
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Job Titles
Entry Level
JOB TITLE
Helper
Mid Level
JOB TITLE
Installer
Expert Level
JOB TITLE
Manager
Supporting Programs
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
01
Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
02
Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
03
Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
04
Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
05
Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
06
Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.
07
Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
08
Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
09
Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
10
Install or repair self-contained ground source heat pumps or hybrid ground or air source heat pumps to minimize carbon-based energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.
KNOWLEDGE
Mechanical
KNOWLEDGE
Building and Construction
KNOWLEDGE
Customer and Personal Service
KNOWLEDGE
Engineering and Technology
KNOWLEDGE
Computers and Electronics
SKILL
Operations Monitoring
SKILL
Critical Thinking
SKILL
Troubleshooting
SKILL
Installation
SKILL
Reading Comprehension
ABILITY
Near Vision
ABILITY
Problem Sensitivity
ABILITY
Deductive Reasoning
ABILITY
Arm-Hand Steadiness
ABILITY
Finger Dexterity
Construction & Architecture
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