State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers is $61,010 a year ($29.33/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 8.1% through 2034, with about 40,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
SOC 49-9021Installation, Maintenance, and RepairLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $61,010
- Projected growth
- +8.1%
- Openings a year
- 40,100
- Typical education
- Certificate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician), HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer), HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic), HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician), HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist), HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician).
How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make?
10th percentile$40,050
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$48,360
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$61,010
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$77,060
Upper quartile
90th percentile$95,210
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $61,010 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $29.33/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $64,780 |
| People employed | 409,670 |
Versus all US occupations
At $61,010, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn 20% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $10,030 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
The median is typical for the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $60,460.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $95,210 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,050, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 43% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($84,390), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $83,735 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,390 | $76,787 | 400 |
| Alaska | $77,430 | $75,646 | 610 |
| Illinois | $77,410 | $77,443 | 9,740 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 | $73,092 | 8,200 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 | $73,941 | 3,800 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 | $77,418 | 4,200 |
| Washington | $75,660 | $70,702 | 7,370 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 | $83,735 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 | $68,425 | 10,330 |
| New York | $74,430 | $68,967 | 24,430 |
Is Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer a growing career?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers8.1%
All US occupations3.1%
+8.1% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to change 8.1% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.6× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 34,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 40,100 openings are projected each year, 9.4% of the 425,200 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive employment growth. The growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems is also expected to increase demand for qualified heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians).
Repair and replacement of HVACR systems is a large part of what technicians do. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and pollution reduction is likely to increase the demand for HVAC technicians as climate-control systems are retrofitted, upgraded, or replaced entirely.
How to become a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
This trade has the clearest split in the whole dataset between a credential that is genuinely required and one that is not, and they are constantly confused. EPA section 608 certification is federal law: nearly all HVAC technicians must hold it to maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerant. NATE certification is voluntary, sits on top, and is what employers advertise. Separately, some states and localities license HVAC technicians or contractors, and that layer varies enormously.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete a postsecondary HVACR programme, or get hired with a diploma
BLS records a postsecondary nondegree award as typical. Programmes at technical and trade schools and community colleges generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate degree. Employers sometimes consider candidates whose highest education is a high school diploma; useful high school courses are vocational education, math and physics.
- Pass the EPA section 608 exam for the equipment you will work on
EPA regulations under section 608 of the Clean Air Act require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants to be certified, by passing an EPA-approved test administered by an EPA-approved certifying organisation. There are four types: Type I for small appliances, Type II for high and very high pressure appliances, Type III for low-pressure appliances, and Universal for all types. BLS notes the exam is typically included as part of a postsecondary HVACR programme. One detail that catches people out: a core test taken as an open book exam cannot be used toward Universal certification, which requires the core to be taken proctored.
- Work under a certified technician while you are an apprenticeApprenticeships usually last several years
EPA exempts apprentices from the section 608 certification requirement provided they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician. That is what makes it possible to start before you have passed. BLS describes newly hired technicians working alongside experienced ones on basic tasks such as insulating refrigerant lines or cleaning furnaces before moving to cutting and soldering pipe and checking electrical circuits, and describes apprenticeship programmes lasting several years that combine paid on-the-job training with technical instruction each year.
- Check your state and locality for a licence
BLS states that some states and localities require HVAC technicians to be licensed and directs you to check locally. This layer is genuinely inconsistent: some states license the technician, some license only the contracting business, some delegate entirely to counties and cities, and several require a separate licence for the refrigeration side. It is worth resolving before you enrol in a programme, because the required hours of documented experience differ.
- Add NATE certification if you want the portable industry credential
NATE offers two pathways. The traditional route is two exams: the NATE Core exam plus a Specialty exam, earning an Installation, Service or Senior specialisation depending on which specialty you take. The newer CHP-5 pathway is five exams across HVAC Fundamentals, Electrical and Controls, Comfort and Airflow, Installation, and Service. For people newer to the trade, NATE offers the Ready-to-Work Certificate and the HVAC Support Technician certification, aimed at technicians with less than two years of experience.
- Keep NATE current, but do not worry about the EPA card
NATE certifications must be renewed every two years, by earning 16 continuing education hours in your specialty or in general areas such as safety, electricity, controls and codes, and paying a renewal fee ($25 per specialty, $5 for each additional), or by retaking the specialty exam. There is a 120-day grace period; let it run out and you must retake both the Core and the Specialty exam. Section 608 certification, by contrast, does not expire.
Exams you have to pass
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification exam
A core section plus a section for each equipment type sought: Type I small appliances, Type II high and very high pressure appliances other than small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioners, Type III low-pressure appliances, or Universal for all types. Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organisation. The core test must be taken proctored, not open book, if it is to count toward Universal certification.
Administered by EPA-approved certifying organisations.
The traditional NATE pathway is the Core exam plus one Specialty exam, which determines whether you hold an Installation, Service or Senior certification. The alternative CHP-5 pathway replaces it with five subject-domain exams: HVAC Fundamentals, Electrical and Controls, Comfort and Airflow, Installation, and Service. Neither is required by law.
Administered by North American Technician Excellence.
- How long the training takes
6 months to 2 years
BLS puts technical and trade school or community college HVACR programmes at 6 months to 2 years, leading to a certificate or an associate degree. Apprenticeships usually last several years. A lengthy period of on-the-job training follows either route.
- Continuing education
Not required
EPA section 608 technician certification credentials do not expire and carry no continuing education requirement. NATE certification does: renewal every two years requires 16 continuing education hours in your specialty or in general areas such as safety, electricity, motors, controls and codes, plus a renewal fee, or retaking the specialty exam. Training taken for a state licence may be reviewed for NATE credit case by case. State licences, where they exist, set their own continuing education rules.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
The federal refrigerant certification is uniform: section 608 applies identically in every state, has four types, and never expires. Everything above it varies. BLS says some states and localities require HVAC technicians to be licensed and points you to your own state and locality. What differs is whether the licence attaches to the individual technician or only to the contracting business, whether refrigeration is licensed separately from heating and air conditioning, how many documented hours or years of experience are demanded, whether a trade exam and a business and law exam are both required, and whether the authority is the state or the city or county. Manufacturer and industry certifications are separate again and are usually optional, though some employers require specific ones.
Who governs the credential
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Sets and enforces the section 608 technician certification requirement under 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F, defines the four certification types, approves the certifying organisations that administer the tests, and exempts closely supervised apprentices.
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE) — Issues the largest voluntary US HVACR technician certification, offering the traditional Core plus Specialty pathway and the five-exam CHP-5 pathway, plus entry-level certificates, and requiring renewal every two years.
Credential detail for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements (four types, credentials do not expire, apprentice exemption, proctored core for Universal) · checked August 23, 2026
- NATE — Getting Started: the CHP-5 and traditional Core plus Specialty pathways, Ready-to-Work and HVAC Support Technician · checked August 23, 2026
- NATE — Recertification FAQs (two-year renewal, 16 CEHs, fees, 120-day grace period) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (HVAC technicians) typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. HVAC technicians may need a license or certification.
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
- Post-Secondary Certificate68.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma20.2%
- Some College Courses6.9%
- High School Diploma3.3%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)1.5%
What does a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer do?
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.
Day-to-day tasks
- Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
- Perform mechanical overhauls and refrigerant reclaiming.
- Install expansion and control valves, using acetylene torches and wrenches.
- Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
- Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
- Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.
- Keep records of repairs and replacements made and causes of malfunctions.
- Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most HVAC technicians work full time, and schedules may vary to include evening or weekend shifts. They may be on call for emergencies and sometimes work overtime or irregular schedules during peak heating and cooling seasons.
Where the work happens
- Outdoors in all weather at least weekly
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work
| Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | 70% |
|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 5% |
| Wholesale trade | 3% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 3% |
| Retail trade | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.4/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Writing2.9/5
- Learning Strategies2.8/5
Transferable skills
- Operations Monitoring3.6/5
- Troubleshooting3.5/5
- Installation3.4/5
- Repairing3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.3/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Facilities management software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary7.0
Investigative2.8
Artistic1.0
Social1.5
Enterprising1.2
Conventionalprimary4.3
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer: frequently asked questions
How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn a median of $61,010 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 20% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.33/hr. The middle half earn between $48,360 and $77,060. The top 10% earn $95,210 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 68.1% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.1% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 40,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer do?
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings. A core O*NET task: comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers the most?
The highest state medians for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers are District of Columbia ($84,390), Alaska ($77,430), Illinois ($77,410) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $83,735.
What personality type suits a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer?
O*NET scores Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer?
6 months to 2 years. BLS puts technical and trade school or community college HVACR programmes at 6 months to 2 years, leading to a certificate or an associate degree. Apprenticeships usually last several years. A lengthy period of on-the-job training follows either route.
Do you need a license to work as a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. The federal refrigerant certification is uniform: section 608 applies identically in every state, has four types, and never expires. Everything above it varies. BLS says some states and localities require HVAC technicians to be licensed and points you to your own state and locality. What differs is whether the licence attaches to the individual technician or only to the contracting business, whether refrigeration is licensed separately from heating and air conditioning, how many documented hours or years of experience are demanded, whether a trade exam and a business and law exam are both required, and whether the authority is the state or the city or county. Manufacturer and industry certifications are separate again and are usually optional, though some employers require specific ones.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer?
The EPA Section 608 Technician Certification exam and the NATE Core and Specialty exams. A core section plus a section for each equipment type sought: Type I small appliances, Type II high and very high pressure appliances other than small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioners, Type III low-pressure appliances, or Universal for all types. Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organisation. The core test must be taken proctored, not open book, if it is to count toward Universal certification.