If you’re thinking about a new, high-paying career, look no further than heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC is one of the quickest-growing careers available, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts careers in this field will expand by 13 percent by 2028.

There are a few reasons why these positions are growing so fast. One is homeowners taking advantage of government refunds to get more energy-efficient comfort systems. Then there’s the ban on R-22 Freon® refrigerants, which impacts old equipment. Lastly, there’s the red-hot housing market and a house shortage that’s driven a bump in new construction residences.

One of the number one needed careers is working as an HVAC technician. Discover about what they do, how to become one and about how much you can expect to make.

What Is a Professional HVAC Technician?

An HVAC technician is a person who fixes, installs and maintains heating and cooling units. Most work with both homeowners and business owners. And, most important, you’ll be skilled with:

Some are HVAC-R pros, which means they also can do refrigeration.

Is a Career in HVAC Difficult?

While HVAC can be physically difficult, it can also be highly satisfying. As a technician you’ll be required to be able to:

  • Work in uncomfortable settings, like tight or dirty spaces.
  • Work in hot or cold areas as equipment is often outdoors.
  • Work evenings, weekends and overtime during peak times.

One of the biggest misconceptions about HVAC is that it’s a blue-collar position. It requires a specific skill set, specialized training and ongoing endorsements.

It’s a fantastic career choice if you want to:

  • Avoid a lot of higher education debt.
  • Avoid being stuck at a desk or in an office.
  • Have job security knowing your position can’t be outsourced.
  • Become your own boss and own your own prosperous business.

Steps for Becoming a Professional HVAC Technician

To become an HVAC technician, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, in addition to comprehensive instruction. Other more specialized (and higher paying) HVAC careers typically must have extra instruction or qualifications.

You can become certified by attending classes at a community college or trade school. How long it takes to become an HVAC technician is linked to the program, which is usually six months to two years. Your employer might also require NATE certification. This refers to North American Technician Excellence, this industry-leading certification increases your technical knowledge to help you better serve customers.

Career Explorer reports that technicians familiar with tablets, electronics and troubleshooting will be in big demand as equipment becomes more technologically advanced.

Another perk of working in HVAC is little to no educational debt.

According to Midwest Technical Institute, attending a technical or trade school usually costs around $15,000. A community college typically costs around $5,000 annually. In comparison, the average student debt for a bachelor’s degree is $25,921.

A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician

Your work schedule might vary depending on where you work. If you perform repairs, you may work early, late or be on call. If you work in construction/home building or management, you could have more of a set schedule during typical business hours.

As a technician, you’ll visit different locations for repair, maintenance or installation service. Some work might require more time than others, so the number of calls you can go on might vary.

As we went over previously, you should be comfortable working outdoors in extreme weather, in addition to dirty or cramped spaces. If you work in a customer-facing role, good customer service skills are always an advantage.

Average Salary for {Professional Technicians|Technicians|Full-Time Technicians and Similar HVAC Jobs

Since HVAC is a quickly growing industry, your salary will mirror it. The national average salary for an HVAC technician is $49,242, according to ZipRecruiter. Top earners get between $56,600 and $68,000. However, salaries may fluctuate based on your location and its cost of living.

Aside from running your own business, there are a wide range of extra career opportunities. These can be:

HVAC manager, $72,515 average salary

HVAC service manager, $71,176 average salary

Where HVAC Technicians Are Needed the Most

HVAC technicians are needed across the United States, but even more so in Florida, California, Texas, New York and Illinois. According to hvacclasses.org, these states employ the highest number of HVAC workers and are going through explosive construction growth. Here’s why:

  • Florida: Hurricanes, educational and healthcare locations.
  • California: Wildfires, transportation, energy and utility upgrades.
  • Texas: Hurricanes, energy, utility and other infrastructure updates.
  • New York: Residential and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Illinois: Companies relocating to the Chicago area.

Where HVAC Technicians Will Be in High Demand in the Future

Projections Central, who makes long-term occupational projections, expects these states to have the greatest demand for technicians by 2028:

  1. Utah, 31.1%
  2. Colorado, 29.7%
  3. Nevada, 27.9%
  4. Arizona, 21.4%
  5. Iowa, Oregon and Montana, 18.5%
  6. Arkansas, 16.3%
  7. Florida, 16.2%
  8. South Carolina, 16%
  9. Texas, 15.9%
  10. Idaho, 15.7%
  11. Washington, 15.6%
  12. North Carolina, 15.5%
  13. Tennessee, 15.2%
  14. Wyoming, 14.3%
  15. Nebraska, 13.9%
  16. Indiana, 13.8%
  17. North Dakota, 13.8%

Here’s where the biggest number of new jobs during that time frame are anticipated to be:

  1. Florida, 5,420
  2. Texas, 5,530
  3. California, 4,100
  4. North Carolina, 2,510
  5. New York, 2,290
  6. Colorado, 2,000
  7. Ohio, 1,550
  8. Pennsylvania, 1,510
  9. Virginia, 1,500
  10. Tennessee, 1,360
  11. Washington, 1,290
  12. Georgia, 1,270
  13. New Jersey, 1,170
  14. Utah, 1,170
  15. South Carolina, 1,1060
  16. Indiana, 940
  17. Maryland, 820
  18. Missouri and Arizona, 810
  19. Michigan, 780

Weather and economic improvement is expected to contribute to expansion in these states, according to hvacclasses.org.

Launch Your HVAC Career with Brookwood Inc

HVAC technicians are needed across the USA and in Newton. To discover more about our openings, see our careers page or call us at 641-316-9803 now!