HVAC Positions Are Needed: What You’ll Do as a Technician and How Much You’ll Take Home

If you’re wanting to find a new, well-paying career, look no further than heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC is one of the most rapidly growing careers available, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which estimates careers in this trade will increase by 13 percent by 2028.

There’s a couple of reasons why these careers are growing so rapidly. One is homeowners using government refunds to install more energy-efficient comfort systems. Then there’s the discontinuation of R-22 Freon® refrigerants, which impacts aging equipment. Finally, there’s the red-hot real estate market and a house shortage that’s driven a boost in new construction homes.

One of the most in-demand positions is working as a HVAC technician. Find out about what they do, how to become one and about how much you can expect to earn.

What Is an HVAC Technician?

A HVAC technician is someone who fixes, installs and maintains heating and cooling equipment. Most assist both residential and commercial customers. And, most important, you’ll be skilled with:

Air conditioners
Furnaces
Mini-splits and heat pumps
Thermostats and home zoning
Indoor air quality products like air filters and air purification systems

Some are HVAC-R professionals, which means they also work with refrigeration.

Is HVAC a Hard Career?

While HVAC can be physically hard, it can also be very fulfilling. As a technician you’ll be required to be able to:

Work in difficult settings, including small or dirty spaces.
Work in hot or cold areas because equipment is usually outdoors.
Work evenings, weekends and overtime during peak demand.

One of the most common misconceptions about HVAC is that it’s a blue-collar job. It requires a distinct skill set, specialized education and ongoing endorsements.

It’s a good career choice if you want to:

Not be saddled with heavy amounts of student debt.
Avoid being stuck at a desk or in an office.
Have job security being sure your position can’t be outsourced.
Become your own boss and have your own successful business.

How to Become an HVAC Technician

To become an HVAC technician, you should have a high school diploma or GED, in addition to specialized education. Other more specialized (and higher paying) HVAC jobs typically must have additional education or certifications.

You can get your certification by attending classes at a community college or trade school. How long it takes to become an HVAC technician depends on the program, which is usually six months to two years. Your employer could also want NATE certification. This refers to North American Technician Excellence, this highly regarded accreditation increases your technical expertise to help you better serve customers.

Career Explorer noted that technicians familiar with tablets, electronics and troubleshooting will be in great demand as equipment evolves.

Another advantage of working in HVAC is little to no instructional debt.

According to Midwest Technical Institute, attending a technical or trade school typically costs around $15,000. A community college often runs around $5,000 annually. In contrast, the average student debt for a bachelor’s degree is $25,921.

A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician

Your work schedule may vary depending on your employer. If you work in repairs, you could work early, late or be on call. If you work in construction/home building or management, you may have more of a regular schedule during normal business hours.

As a technician, you’ll go to different locations for repair, maintenance or installation service. Some jobs could need more time than others, so the number of calls you can go on could vary.

As we talked about earlier, you should be comfortable working outdoors in extreme weather, as well as in dirty or cramped spaces. If you work in a customer-facing role, good customer service skills are always positive.

Average Salary for HVAC Technicians and Other HVAC Careers

As HVAC is a fast-growing field, your salary will mirror it. The national average salary for an HVAC technician is $49,242, according to ZipRecruiter. Top earners make between $56,600 and $68,000. However, salaries may differ based on your areaand its cost of living.

Other than running your own business, there are a few other extra career opportunities. These include:

HVAC manager, $72,515 average salary
HVAC service manager, $71,176 average salary

Where HVAC Technicians Are in High Demand

HVAC technicians are in demand across the United States, but even more so in Florida, California, Texas, New York and Illinois. According to hvacclasses.org, these states employ the highest number of HVAC workers and are going through explosive construction growth. Here’s why:

Florida: Hurricanes, educational and healthcare buildings.
California: Wildfires, transportation, energy and utility updates.
Texas: Hurricanes, energy, utility and other infrastructure projects.
New York: Residential and infrastructure upgrades.
Illinois: Companies relocating to the Chicago area.

Where HVAC Technicians Will Be in High Demand in the Future

Projections Central, who develops long-term occupational projections, forecasts these states to have the greatest demand for technicians by 2028:

Utah, 31.1%
Colorado, 29.7%
Nevada, 27.9%
Arizona, 21.4%
Iowa, Oregon and Montana, 18.5%
Arkansas, 16.3%
Florida, 16.2%
South Carolina, 16%
Texas, 15.9%
Idaho, 15.7%
Washington, 15.6%
North Carolina, 15.5%
Tennessee, 15.2%
Wyoming, 14.3%
Nebraska, 13.9%
Indiana, 13.8%
North Dakota, 13.8%

Here’s where the biggest number of new jobs during that time frame are expected to be:

Florida, 5,420
Texas, 5,530
California, 4,100
North Carolina, 2,510
New York, 2,290
Colorado, 2,000
Ohio, 1,550
Pennsylvania, 1,510
Virginia, 1,500
Tennessee, 1,360
Washington, 1,290
Georgia, 1,270
New Jersey, 1,170
Utah, 1,170
South Carolina, 1,1060
Indiana, 940
Maryland, 820
Missouri and Arizona, 810
Michigan, 780

Weather and economic growth is forecasted to fuel growth in these states, according to hvacclasses.org.

Grow Your HVAC Career with Abilene Air-Tech Inc

HVAC technicians are needed across the country and in Abilene. To find out more about our openings, view our careers page or reach us at (325) 692-5850 right away!