Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Also called: HVAC Mechanics
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Also called: AC Installer (Air Conditioning Installer), AC Mechanic (Air Conditioner Mechanic), AC Service Tech (Air Conditioning Service Technician), AC Servicer (Air Conditioning Servicer), AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician), Air Balancing Technician (Air Balancing Tech)
Median pay
$61,010
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$40,050 – $95,210
People employed
409,670
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 7.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in every state →
What heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers do
- 01Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
- 02Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
- 03Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- 04Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
- 05Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
- 06Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters91% · +5%
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers87% · −8%
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators86% · +29%
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers83% · +80%
- Boilermakers79% · +25%
Change into heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters88% · $63,800
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians81% · $63,800
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers80% · $56,210
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics78% · $50,620
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians78% · $102,040
Majors that lead here
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.