Anyone that loves hands-on jobs in a climate-controlled environment should consider pursuing a career as an HVAC technician. These technicians work on HVAC systems that provide the essential lifeblood to any indoor setting. Today’s career guide will explore important aspects such as the salary of an HVAC technician, what this technician does, and why earning a certification is essential for A HVAC career path.
Read on to determine if a career in the HVAC industry is the right fit for you!
What Does HVAC Stand For?
Technicians use HVAC as an acronym representing Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Professionals in this industry include HVAC technicians, also known as HVAC techs. However, some HVAC technicians can also install and service refrigeration systems.
In such cases, they are known as the HVACR or HVAC/R technicians.
What Does an HVAC Technician Do?
A qualified HVAC technician is responsible for HVAC systems that improve air quality and guarantee effective cooling and heating in residential and commercial properties. Typically, an HVAC technician is an expert responsible for the following:
- Testing: The technician visits a residential or commercial building to test whether the available electrical circuits and components are a right fit for an HVAC system.
- Maintenance and servicing: Installed HVAC/R units require constant care and servicing by an HVACR technician.
- Installation: An HVAC technician installs air conditioning, climate control, and refrigeration systems across commercial and residential settings.
- Sales: An HVAC technician can sell a new HVAC system or HVAC parts, depending on the customer’s need.
- Troubleshooting and repairing HVAC systems: They frequently respond to customer queries or visit sites to identify problems and resolve various HVAC issues.
What Is the Salary of an HVAC Technician?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national hourly mean wage for all HVAC technicians is $23.38 per hour. In terms of annual mean wages, HVAC careers pay around $48,630 annually, excluding overtime and potential bonuses. However, a technician with substantial work experience can command a higher salary and potential overtime payoff.
Besides, HVAC technicians can enter the field with the following three different levels of income potential:
- Tier 1: The Entry-Level HVAC Technician
- Tier 2: The Journeyman HVAC Technician
- Tier 3: The Master HVAC Technician
Follow Your Passion and Earn Your HVAC Technician Certification From ETI!
Although HVAC certification is not mandatory in some states, getting one has many benefits. Besides, many potential employers or clients prefer a technician with an HVAC certification license that showcases their competencies to handle the ever-evolving and complex HVAC/R technologies.
Getting certified at ETI allows a technician to be adept with the fundamental principles of HVAC systems. ETI’s HVAC/R program is tailored to help its students acquire skills and industry knowledge that improve their potential to work on large-scale projects. AT ETI, students learn from expert instructors with extensive knowledge and experience on everything they need to succeed in handling HVAC/R equipment. Contact ETI School of Skilled Trades to learn more about how you can begin your certification journey as an HVAC/R technician.
Learn more about HVAC/R: