Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Median pay: $61,010/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +8.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.
About 40,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
• Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
• 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.
• Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
• Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
• Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.
• Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
• Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.