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Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$59810	40100	8.1%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$59810

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

40100

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

8.1%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years

Detailed Work Activities

Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
Install heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.
Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
Braze metal parts or components.
Connect electrical components or equipment.
Inspect systems to determine if they are operating properly.
Document operational activities.
Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
Advise others on issues related to repairs, installation, or equipment design.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Measure distances or dimensions.
Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
Maintain repair or maintenance records.
Install home appliances.
Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Schedule repair, installation or maintenance activities.
Train others in operational procedures.
Supervise employees.
Lay out work according to specifications.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Test mechanical systems to ensure proper functioning.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
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.
Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.
Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
Install or repair self-contained ground source heat pumps or hybrid ground or air source heat pumps to minimize carbon-based energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
Install auxiliary components to heating or cooling equipment, such as expansion or discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues, or stokers.
Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.
Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
Perform mechanical overhauls and refrigerant reclaiming.
Install expansion and control valves, using acetylene torches and wrenches.
Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter's tools.
Mount compressor, condenser, and other components in specified locations on frames, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.
Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
Record and report time, materials, faults, deficiencies, or other unusual occurrences on work orders.
Keep records of repairs and replacements made and causes of malfunctions.
Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.
Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
Supervise and instruct assistants.
Lay out reference points for installation of structural and functional components, using measuring instruments.
Lift and align components into position, using hoist or block and tackle.
Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, and refilling non-toxic refrigerants.
Test pipes, lines, components, and connections for leaks.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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