How much does a hvac technician make?

In the U.S., experience, in-demand skills, and sought-after credentials can affect an HVAC technician’s pay. Pay also varies by employer and location, and more complex work or a specialty can make a difference. Busy seasons may bring overtime or evening and weekend shifts, changing total earnings.

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

What's a typical day like?

They travel between homes, schools, or shops, checking furnaces and air conditioners before cleaning, repairing, or installing parts. They explain the fix and record the work; emergency calls can mean evenings or weekends.

Many people start after high school, often around 18, with a 6-month-to-2-year HVAC trade-school program or an apprenticeship. To work with refrigerants, they pass an EPA-approved Section 608 test; state and local license rules vary.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Some modern HVAC systems have computer parts and network connections, so technicians may repair high-tech controls—not just pipes and motors.