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Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) mechanics and technicians install, maintain and repair the critical equipment that keeps the interiors of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings safe and comfortable. In recent years, the HVAC professions have placed a high premium on training employees to fine-tune equipment for energy efficient performance and safe handling of toxic gasses used in heating and air conditioning.

A closer look at heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics

Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics are responsible for systems that heat, cool and ventilate a building. They specialize in pumps, refrigeration systems, heating power systems, wiring and ducts. They may work in extreme hot and cold temperatures inside and outside their customers building. As government regulations in the HVAC industry are constantly changing, professionals take new or refresher courses to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics salaries

The median heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic 2010 salary was $42,530, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov, 2010). The top 10 percent of mechanics took home $66,930. The national average entry-level salary in 2010 was $26,490. Apprentices usually earn about 50 percent of the wage that experienced mechanics draw, the BLS reports. Salaries may vary greatly based on education, experience, trade union affiliation, employer and geographic regions.

The trade's largest employers are building equipment contracting firms. The BLS reports that these firms employed 149,540 HVAC mechanics in 2010, offering an annual mean wage of $43,600. The second-highest number of HVAC mechanics for 2010 (10,490) worked directly for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment manufacturers and earned an annual mean wage of $46,170.

The highest pay came in regions where there is a strong need for HVAC mechanics, however the cost of living in these areas is relatively high, including:

• Alaska, $57,960
• District of Columbia, $57,720
• Hawaii, $55,080
• Massachusetts, $54,600
• New Jersey, $53,900

HVAC mechanics willing to relocate for good positions should examine these cities (with annual mean wages and ACCRA cost-of-living numbers where 100 is the national average):

• Houston, Texas, $43,600 and 89
• Champaign-Urbana, Ill, $75,200 and 98
• Cape Coral-Fort Myers Fla., $42,010 and 97

Training for a career in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration

Comprehensive training programs for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics can take from six months to two years to complete, depending on previous education in math, physics and chemistry. Students take classes in theory and practical applications of temperature control, thermodynamics, blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, electronics, design, construction principles, building codes and governmental EPA regulations for hazardous materials handling. A formal apprenticeship may last from three to five years. Following apprenticeship and formal training, graduates may sit for applicable state or regional license exams.

Career outlook for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics

The BLS estimates that job openings for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics to increase by 28 percent during the 2008-2018 decade, adding some 86,000 new positions. The best opportunities will be for HVAC professionals with knowledge of the latest computer-controlled building systems.