If you want a career that will have you outside and inside at different points of the day and you enjoy working with mechanical equipment, you might be interested in becoming an HVAC technician. You will need education and experience, but both are easy to get. With the right skills and work attitude, you could be working your way up the HVAC ladder, making more and more money along the way. This is a great career for those who like to fix things and solve mechanical problems.
Short History of HVAC Technicians
Early heating and cooling systems that began to appear in the 11th century were crude by today’s standards, but you can bet there were people who had to install and maintain these HVAC systems. Over the centuries, of course, the mechanisms by which people controlled the temperature in their home changed quite a bit, becoming more efficient, smaller, and more effective in most cases. Today, there central air and heating systems are complex machines that require maintenance and upkeep.
HVAC Technician Salary Averages
According to PayScale.com, the average hourly wage for a HVAC technician is $15.55 to $23.65. If you do the math, this can add up to quite a nice yearly salary.
- Level I HVAC Mechanic – General upkeep and maintenance of equipment. – $40,365 median
- Senior HVAC Mechanic – Installation of new units, upkeep and maintenance. – $53,658 median
- Level III HVAC Systems Mechanical Designer – Planning heating and cooling systems for residential and commercial properties. $61,827 median
- HVAC Supervisor – Oversees work – from maintenance to installation and repair of serious damage. – $62,779 median
You should note that these are averages and you may make more or less depending on where you live and how much “real world experience” and training you have.
Getting HVAC Technician Certification
Not all states require an HVAC technician to be licensed, but some do, so you’ll want to make sure you know what your local laws are before you decide on this as a career. That said, even if you have to get a license, in most cases this isn’t too difficult or costly. With a little education and on the job experience (perhaps through an apprenticeship), you can be on your way to becoming an HVAC technician and enjoying all the benefits that come with the position. Even if you don’t need a license, you’re going to want to start at the bottom and work your way up the ranks so that you can understand the job more clearly. It’s not hard work by any means, but it does require dedication, skill, and quite a bit of knowledge about how modern heating and cooling systems work.
HVAC Technician: Job Outlook
In 2008, there were just over 300,000 HVAC technicians working. While some worked for themselves (54%), the rest were employed by various companies in different industries throughout the country. The need for skilled laborers in this field is expected to grow over 25% from 2008 to 2018. This is great news for those who are just looking to start a career as well as those who have been an HVAC tech for a while. With heating and cooling as prevalent as it is today, getting skills for installing and repairing heating and cooling systems is important for those who want to live comfortably. If enough people don’t apply for jobs in this field, there’s a good chance the average salaries would go up due to the shortage of trained and skilled workers. Don’t be left out in the cold … or the heat.
Greener Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Companies like to save money, but more and more being eco-friendly or “green” is just as important as being cheap. As newer, complex heating and cooling systems are installed, they sometimes require more service, maintenance and upkeep. This means there is a growing need for people who are trained and skilled at servicing HVAC equipment. Whether it’s residential or commercial buildings that have a heating and cooling unit, there’s going to be a need for someone to take care of the equipment. Sometimes the heating and cooling systems that are healthier for the planet require even more upkeep and repair. Still, many find that it’s worth it to have less of an impact on the planet overall.
Occupations Related to HVAC
If you’re in one of the fields below, you may want to consider becoming an HVAC technician.
- Boilermaker
- Electrician
- Home appliance repair
- Plumbers
- Pipelayers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Sheet metal workers
Tools HVAC Technicians Use
Here’s a quick look at some of the physical tools used by those who install and repair heating and cooling systems.
- Voltage / current meters
- Alternating current AC line splitters
- Electrical current meters
- Non-contact voltage detectors
- Voltmeters
- Flow sensors
- Turbine flow meters
- Venturi meters
- Water flow meters
- Water pressure gauges
- Hammers
- Tinners hammers
- Soft face hammers
- Pressure indicators
- Pressure gauges
- Refrigerant pressure meters
- Pneumatic air gauges
- Thermocouples
- Bead type thermocouples
- Pipe clamp thermocouples
It should be noted that those who design and plan heating and cooling systems – especially for large buildings – rely on computers and CAD (computer assisted drafting) software to be able to complete plans that are useful and usable. Also, there are many techniques and processes that many HVAC technicians come to learn over the years through experience and trial and error. These “tools” are just as important as the physical ones required for HVAC work.
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