OccupationHQ6 countries · 20 careers

Career profile · Skilled trades

HVAC Technician

Pay, outlook, entry requirements and what the work is like.

O*NET-SOC 49-9021.00HVACR Mechanic and InstallerLocal occupation match
Compare this career →Explore related careers →Find career moves →

United States facts

Pay, opportunity and entry

United States figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 and 2024–34 employment projections.

Median annual earnings$59,810May 2025 / 2024–2034
Median annual earnings$59,810May 2025 / 2024–2034
Projected growth8%May 2025 / 2024–2034
Annual openings40.1KMay 2025 / 2024–2034
Typical educationPostsecondary nondegree awardMay 2025 / 2024–2034
Training / credentialCertification or licence may applyMay 2025 / 2024–2034

Missing, suppressed and stale facts are never replaced with another country’s values. Annualised figures and benchmarks are identified in their labels and source notes.

Work characteristics

What the work is like

Occupation percentiles, not ratings. Work signals are native O*NET occupation percentiles.

Social interaction40
contact, teamwork and public-facing work
Physical demand85
movement, posture and hands-on activity
Pressure exposure60
time pressure, conflict and consequences
Analytical content55
analysis, reasoning and problem-solving
People-oriented35
helping, service and relationship work
Technical content70
technology, systems and troubleshooting

Useful foundations

  • Troubleshooting
  • Installation
  • Equipment maintenance

Thinking about a change?

Start from HVAC Technician.

Set what matters most and see six realistic alternatives with their trade-offs.

Find my next career →

Compare this option

Choices worth considering

Adjacent licensed trades with strong systems and troubleshooting overlap.HVAC Technician vs ElectricianCompare these careers →Closely related building-services trades with strong comparison intent.HVAC Technician vs PlumberCompare these careers →Mechanical diagnostic careers across buildings and vehicles.HVAC Technician vs Automotive TechnicianCompare these careers →Mechanical service work versus metal fabrication.HVAC Technician vs WelderCompare these careers →Building-services systems versus structural construction work.HVAC Technician vs CarpenterCompare these careers →Technical systems careers spanning hands-on and digital work.HVAC Technician vs Software DeveloperCompare these careers →

Career changes

Where this option could lead

See transferable strengths, qualification gaps and the realities of making each switch.

An adjacent technical trade transition with systems and troubleshooting overlap.Electrician → HVAC TechnicianView career change →An adjacent building-services move with meaningful trade-context overlap.Plumber → HVAC TechnicianView career change →A building-context move toward mechanical climate systems and technical servicing.Carpenter → HVAC TechnicianView career change →A mechanical diagnostic move from vehicles toward building climate systems.Automotive Technician → HVAC TechnicianView career change →An adjacent building-services move with technical overlap and a distinct regulated electrical route.HVAC Technician → ElectricianView career change →

Explore another career

Electrician→Plumber→Welder→Carpenter→

Other countries

Sources and dates

What this profile uses

See the complete data-source register and OccupationHQ methodology.