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Is HVAC a Good Career?

6/13/2024

HVAC technicians maintain, repair and replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. HVAC techs are often referred to as HVACR technicians because they typically service refrigeration systems as well.

HVACR technicians play a significant role in keeping indoor spaces comfortable through summer, spring, winter and fall! They also help ensure essential businesses can continue to operate without any disruptions caused by malfunctioning HVACR systems.

Aside from playing a crucial role in our society, an HVAC career can be an exciting path for many reasons. Keep reading to learn if it could be a career for you!

What Is an HVAC Tech?

From temperature to humidity level and indoor air quality — HVAC techs are responsible for maintaining the overall comfort of an indoor space.

This can look like performing routine maintenance on air conditioners and heating systems or diagnosing, repairing and replacing HVAC components, like capacitors, compressors and fan blades. HVAC techs can also carry out installations, meaning they can remove and upgrade air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems as needed.

Some other common HVAC technician duties might include:

  • Cleaning HVAC systems
  • Inspecting and testing components for proper operation
  • Repairing and replacing faulty components
  • Explaining malfunctions to clients and recommending repairs
  • Maintaining detailed records of service performed

As previously mentioned, refrigeration is often a part of this career path as well. HVACR technicians install and service refrigeration systems such as coolers and freezers.

Benefits of an HVAC Career

Still asking yourself, “Is HVAC a good career plan for me?” If you enjoy working with your hands and opportunities to think outside of the box, then this could prove an exciting path for you!

HVAC techs utilize various tools and instruments to perform their tasks. They also frequently tinker with equipment to diagnose issues and maximize efficiency, all while adhering to safety standards.

The challenge doesn’t end there — as technology advances, so does the field. Therefore, a desire to learn is important.

This career path can also be a good choice for individuals who prefer non-mundane work, as various industries rely on HVACR techs’ specialized skill sets to keep their equipment up and running. HVACR technicians could find themselves working in any of the following environments throughout their careers or even in a single day:

  • Homes
  • Apartment buildings
  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Stores
  • Offices
  • Factories
  • Restaurants

HVAC Career Outlook

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) play a significant role in the HVACR industry, as they update energy efficiency and pollution-reduction standards.

As these standards continue to be revised and renewed, HVACR systems will gradually be retrofitted or upgraded, creating a continued demand for HVAC technician skills. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects total HVACR technician employment to exceed 437,000 by 2032.72

But where do HVACR techs find employment?

According to the BLS, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors were the largest employers of HVACR technicians in 2022. Many contractors serve a variety of commercial businesses at once, so their employees can expect a versatile workday.

HVAC Salary

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for HVACR technicians in the United States was $51,390 in May 2022.58 This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

How Do You Become an HVAC Tech?

Per the BLS, employers typically prefer to hire candidates who have attended an HVACR school as they have a fundamental understanding of modern technologies and equipment.

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers a 39-week HVACR Technician program at its campuses in Austin, TX; Avondale, AZ; Bloomfield, NJ; Canton, MI; Houston, TX; Orlando, FL (coming pending regulatory approval); Long Beach, CA; Mooresville, NC; and Sacramento, CA (pending regulatory approval).1

Students do not need any prior experience to enroll. Our experienced instructors build their knowledge from the ground up through the following courses33:

  • HVAC Core & Basic Electricity
  • Electric Motors, OSHA
  • Basic Refrigeration Systems
  • Air Conditioning Systems I and II
  • Heating Systems I and II
  • Indoor Air Fundamentals and Duct Fabrication
  • Construction Codes and EPA 608
  • Alternative Heating Systems
  • NATE Core & Building Management
  • Commercial Refrigeration I and II

These courses also help prepare students to test for valuable industry-standard HVACR certifications after they graduate. Some tests include:

As industry professionals, our instructors also act as mentors to help students develop the soft skills crucial to an HVAC career. Throughout their courses, students will learn how technicians navigate customer relations while sharpening the traits many employers value, including communication and professionalism. 

HVAC Career FAQ

Is HVAC a good career for the future?

Yes! HVACR technicians continue to play an important role in our day-to-day lives as they ensure our homes and essential industries have safe cooling and heating.

Is HVAC a difficult job?

An HVAC career can be physically demanding and requires general technical aptitude combined with critical thinking skills. However, it can be an exciting role for individuals who appreciate the chance to work with their hands and do something different every day.

What certifications do you need to become an HVAC technician?

HVAC technicians can test for various certifications. UTI's HVAC training program helps students prepare to test for three industry-standard credentials, including the EPA 608 certification, which the BLS reports as a requirement for all HVAC techs who handle refrigerants.

Learn More About HVAC School Today!

The HVACR industry is constantly evolving and in need of trained HVACR technicians. If you’re a problem solver who loves to learn, you may be just the person to answer the call.

Request more info to chat more with an Admissions Representative or schedule a campus tour to get an up-close look at how we can help prepare you for this exciting career!

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1 ) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2 ) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
33 ) Courses vary by campus. For details, contact the program representative at the campus you are interested in attending.
58 ) The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as HVACR technicians. Estimated annual salary is for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for graduates. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Graduates’ achievements vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as HVACR technicians, such as installation technicians and refrigeration technicians. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary for persons employed as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $48,940 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2022 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageAllIndustries/OEWResult?A=01&GA=000025&OG=499021&Dopt=TEXT). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled HVACR technicians in North Carolina is $24.33 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $21.63 and $17.79, respectively.
72 ) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers will be 481,300 by 2033. See Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2023–33, and worker characteristics, 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed November 4, 2024. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

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