The HVAC Job Description and Education

The HVAC tech can work as an independent contractor or they can work for a heating and cooling company. Working in this field you will first need to have enrolled in an accredited certificate program or you can choose to obtain your associate’s degree. After you have completed your education you will need to find an apprenticeship program where you will work observing and carrying out delegated tasks under the supervision of licensed techs. The apprenticeship will have the duration of two to four years, depending on the level of your education. When working as an apprentice you can expect a compensation that is half of what a licensed tech will earn.  

You can find these programs available through heating and cooling schools, technical schools, vocational schools, junior colleges and online universities.

Once an apprenticeship has been completed you will need to take the state licensing exam for this field in order to earn state recognized certification.

On the job the tech will be responsible for ensuring the installation has been completed in compliance with local and state regulations and they will need to have a quality control member of the team inspect the new system for errors. Maintenance on existing systems will require you to ensure that each section of the overall system is functioning properly and efficiently.

How to Increase your HVAC Salary with Education or Position Advancement

In order to make a higher annual salary in this field you can enroll in an accredited refrigerant course or you can obtain your associate’s degree in applied science.  Some techs will choose to work as sales associates once they have obtained one to two years of field experience. As an HVAC sales associate you can increase your salary based on how many sales you’ll make in the field, what your percentage of commission is and what your hourly rate is for the individual company you work for.

Working as a project manager will require a minimum of four years of experience working as a certified tech, in addition to having obtained your associate’s degree and completed a four year apprenticeship. The project manager is the highest earning profession in this field and the position is highly competitive. Typically a company will choose to hire within for this type of supervisory role.

HVAC Manager Salary and Additional Courses

The salary for the HVAC manager will range from 55,000$ to 60,000$ annually and will require the applicant to have obtained an associate’s degree in applied science as well as a three to four year internship. These positions will typically require the manager to have a minimum of five years of experience and may also require additional refrigerant certifications.  

Some of the general HVAC programs will include refrigerant courses while the majority will require the student to take an additional certification course and licensing exam for this area.

An HVAC sales associate will have the annual salary potential of 35,000$ to 40,000$ based on that particular individual’s sales skills. To work in this position the sales associate will need to have completed an accredited certificate program, a two year apprenticeship and have a vast knowledge of all aspects of the HVAC installation, maintenance and repair costs and process.

Starting your own HVAC business can provide you with a higher salary but will require you to not only rent a work space each month but to also hire other HVAC techs, sales associates, a receptionist, pay for the rental spaces, utilities and internet and have your own company vehicles. Those wanting to go into business for themselves in this career field should have at least five years of experience and be able to offer the HVAC techs benefits and competitive wages. The new business owner should also consider taking courses in business and accounting in order to effectively run and maintain their new company.

Which State can provide the Best Salary for the HVAC Tech?

California is currently one of the top states that can provide the highest annual salary for this field, with a range of 42,000$ to 55,000$ a year for those techs that have more than two years of experience.  Florida offers their techs an annual salary of 36,000$ to 44,000$ while New York can provide an annual salary of 38,000$ to 40,000$ a year.

States that offer a lower salary for this field are Utah at 26,000$ to 30,000$ a year and Michigan with the annual salary of 26,000$ to 32,000$.

It’s common for those that have completed an HVAC program to relocate to a state that provides a significantly larger annual salary once they have gained one to two years of field experience.