How to Become an HVAC Technician (Guide)

HVAC technicians work to repair, maintain, and install heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in commercial and residential buildings. They’re skilled professionals who need to have particular knowledge – and certification – to perform their day-to-day job duties.

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HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVACR stands for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, AND refrigeration. The terms are often used interchangeably for the same career field, though some HVAC technicians may focus more on the air conditioning and heating aspects of the job, while HVACR techs may concentrate on refrigeration.

HVAC technicians have a hands-on job repairing, installing, and maintaining a variety of heating, cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation systems in residential homes, commercial buildings, warehouses, hospitals, and anywhere that requires temperature control. Typical HVAC technician duties include:

• Installing, cleaning, and maintaining HVACR systems
• Installing electrical components and wiring
• Inspecting and testing HVACR systems and components
• Discussing system malfunctions and necessary repairs with customers
• Repairing or replacing worn or defective parts
• Recommending maintenance to improve system performance

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A day in the life of an HVAC technician can vary depending on where you work, if you work for a company or own your own business, and can change based on the season.

A typical day, however, will often start early in the morning as you make your way to work or the first job site. Most HVAC techs work full time during the day, with occasional evenings and overtime hours depending on the number of service calls that need to be made. It’ll likely look similar to this:

• Upon arrival at work you’ll be assigned to jobs and travel to different sites.
• Once at each site, you’ll evaluate the issue for the customer and recommend repairs.
• Once approved, you’ll get to work on any necessary fixes.
• Once issues are resolved (timeframe may vary), you’ll head off to the next job.

Most days will follow the same pattern, but one perk of being an HVAC technician is that no day is ever completely the same. While you’ll have a schedule of site visits and service calls, each customer likely has a different issue to solve so the work you’re doing will vary for each client. For example, you may start your day repairing a refrigerant leak for a local business, then find yourself installing a new furnace for a residential customer and end your day performing routine maintenance on the heating and cooling system of a factory.

For those who become master technicians, you may also find yourself working with apprentices to show them the ropes.

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In fact, the average starting salary for HVAC technicians was $57,300 per year as of May 2023, with the highest 10% currently making more than $84,000. Depending on where you work, your experience, and your certifications, you may have the potential to earn more.

The average salary for an HVAC technician can vary by state. It’s important to compare the HVAC tech wage in your state to cost of living in your region or area. Sometimes a low cost of living can offset a lower hourly wage (and vice versa).

Also, when you’re considering becoming an HVAC tech, think about the cost of training. This can help you decide if an online HVAC course is a good investment.

The more experience you have under your belt, the more you’re likely to make! While a new HVAC technician in Alaska makes almost 54k per year, for example, someone with over 7 years of experience can make as much as $90,500 per year.*

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It’s not hard to learn HVAC if it’s something you’re passionate about pursuing. Like many skilled trades, the foundational skills for HVAC technicians often begin with math and science, which can seem intimidating if you’ve never thought of yourself as someone particularly good in either subject. It is, however, practical math and science. Steve Strapple, Academic Lead for trades at Penn Foster Group, advises, "Practice your math because we have students who stumble with it. Brush up on your math before entering the course. Don't be scared away; we've adjusted our courses to make them more accessible."

Besides math and science, a lot of the training to become an HVAC technician may seem like something you need to learn by doing. So how can you learn to become an HVAC technician through an online training program?

What most people forget is that, even in a classroom setting, studying HVAC, you don’t start with the hands-on training first thing. You have to learn the process before you can apply it to real situations. And that’s what you get in an online HVAC training program like Penn Foster’s.

Penn Foster’s online course also helps you visualize how it’s supposed to work in the real world. Once you’ve learned the whys and hows behind the processes, applying those skills to hands-on work isn’t difficult. And while you may worry that learning HVAC skills online could hold you back from starting a career in the field, it’s not the barrier you may think it is.

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A career in HVAC is great for someone who is mechanically minded, likes working with their hands, and wants a well-paying job with plenty of opportunities for work. Bob Shafer, skilled trades instructor at Penn Foster Group, shares, “The timing is just right for somebody in the skilled trades business right. There's a ton of need for it out there. The pay scale is very good. People get paid very well to do it.”

The industry, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is expected to add about 42,500 new HVAC jobs each year for the next decade with a 9% growth.

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Like any career field, there are pros and cons to working as an HVAC technician. The pros to working in HVAC include

• Great pay.
• Strong job outlook.
• The ability to live and work anywhere – almost everyone has a heating or cooling system that will need maintenance and repair.
• Opportunities to advance your career.
• Interesting work.
• A (mostly) regular work schedule.

The cons of being an HVAC technician include

• Some long hours and overtime are required.
• Potential occupational safety hazards.
• Having to work outside in very hot or cold weather.

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Becoming an HVAC technician requires training and education. It’s one of the careers where you can’t just decide one day to apply to jobs in the field; you need to know your stuff first.

To start a career as an HVAC technician, you’ll need to follow these steps.

• Formal education. To prepare for a career in HVAC, you need to learn the foundational skills and concepts required to be successful and perform the required job duties. This usually involves earning a career diploma through a career school or technical college. You may also need a high school diploma or equivalent – especially since earning a diploma can help you earn more*. To earn a high school diploma as an adult, look for an online, self-paced program.
• Certification. In order to work in the field, you’ll need to have your Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification. This certification is required to install and repair heating and cooling systems, and to work with refrigerants.
• Apprenticeship. While an apprenticeship isn’t always required to work as an HVAC technician, it can be an important step to help you gain hands-on experience and start your career in the field.
• Understand licensing requirements. Besides EPA certification, some states may require you to have certain licenses, or be licensed as an HVAC technician, to work in the field. For example, in many states, you may not need to be licensed as an entry-level technician if you’re working under a licensed HVAC technician or contractor. Others may require you to have an HVAC contractor's license to work, no matter what level of skill you have. Some states may even only require licensing to perform specific jobs. Check out licensing requirements for your state to find out what you need to do.
• Prepare for further certification. After starting your HVAC career, you may want to advance and learn more about the field. That's where additional HVAC certifications and licenses may be useful. Having additional credentials on your resume could also help you stand out to future employers, so even when it’s not required, it can be a good thing to have.

Bob explains that “More and more in the trades industry, you're going to see some kind of certification being needed for employment.” This is a step that shouldn’t be overlooked by aspiring HVACR techs.

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Whether you’re a high school student searching for a rewarding career path post-graduation or you’re an adult looking for the perfect job for you, becoming an HVAC technician could be the right move. Through Penn Foster’s HVACR Technician Training online, you’ll learn the fundamentals necessary to working in the field including classes in refrigeration systems, residential and commercial HVAC systems, and electrical systems. You’ll also prepare for the required EPA certification so you can start looking for a job as soon as you graduate!

To learn more about becoming an HVAC technician or to start training today, request more info or reach out to our expert Admissions Specialists at 1-888-427-6500!

Sources:

*Service Titan, Mike Persinger. “HVAC Technician Salaries in 2025: A State-By-State Guide.” Accessed February 18, 2025.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed February 18, 2025.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.