During 2012, the Department of Labor estimated the annual wage for an HVAC technician was $43,640. It is important to realize that because of the complexities of the various systems that technicians are required to work on most employers do prefer to hire those who have post-secondary education.
Understanding the Job Outlook
The Department of Labor reported that during 2012, there were more than 250,000 technicians working. They further forecast that through 2022, there will be an increase of more than 50,000 additional jobs; representing an above average increase of 21 percent. Nearly 61 percent of all HVAC technicians are employed as plumbing contractors, heating contractors or air conditioning contractors. Overall, about nine percent of all technicians are self-employed.
The Role Technicians Fill
HVAC technicians help maintain temperature and air quality in office buildings, homes, hospitals and other facilities. Their role is critical to the health, safety and comfort of those who live and work in these buildings.
One of the roles an HVAC technician is required to perform includes ventilation of heating and cooling systems. According to the Department of Energy, proper home and building ventilation is
important to the health of all occupants since proper ventilation helps reduce the incidence of airborne contaminants like formaldehyde and radon as well as stems the growth of mold and mildew.
Skills Necessary for Job Success
In order to be successful as an HVAC technician there are skills that you will need to acquire in addition to your training. These include:
- Dealing with customers - Technicians are required to enter homes and businesses requiring them to have outstanding customer service skills. Technicians will also have to master the art of dealing with unhappy customers.
- Attention to detail – Recordkeeping is an important part of the job of a technician as parts used, services performed and hours of work performed will all have to be carefully recorded.
- Mechanical ability – Heating and air conditioning systems are complex and require technicians to be able to assemble and disassemble them to repair parts that may be worn out.
- Physical fitness – Much of the equipment and parts will require the technician to do heavy lifting on their own as in many cases they will be the only person at a job site.
- Problem solving – Technicians will need the ability to identify problems and properly troubleshoot them in order to get a heating or cooling system working again.
Technicians who have recently graduated from school may be asked to take certain exams that measure their readiness for the trade. As they develop experience, there are additional tests that may be considered in order to further their career or to specialize in a specific area. In most cases, technicians who have been doing installations for a period of one or two years may consider being certified on specific types of equipment such as oil-burning furnaces. It is important to keep in mind that some states do require technicians to be licensed and all states will require basic competency exams.
How to Get Started as a Technician
One of the most important things you can do to start working as an HVAC technician is to get the education that you need to get started. With an impressive job outlook, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
