Average Salary* (Boston) $46,124
Average Salary* (U.S.) $54,550 * According to KUDER.COM
Sample Job Titles: Air Conditioning Service Technician, Commercial Service Technician, HVAC Mechanic/Technician, Oil Burner Installer/Mechanic/Technician
Technical and Higher Education Majors: Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair, although they are trained to do both. They also may specialize in doing heating work or air-conditioning or refrigeration work. Some specialize in one type of equipment—for example, hydronics (water-based heating systems), solar panels, or commercial refrigeration. Some technicians also sell service contracts to their clients. Service contracts provide for regular maintenance of the heating and cooling systems and they help to reduce the seasonal fluctuations of this type of work.
Career Advancement: Certification and advancement. Throughout the learning process, technicians may have to take a number of tests that measure their skills. HVACR technicians who have at least 1 year of experience performing installations and 2 years of experience performing maintenance and repair can take a number of different tests to certify their competency in working with specific types of equipment, such as oil-burning furnaces. These tests are offered through the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, HVAC Excellence, Carbon Monoxide Safety Association, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Safety Coalition, and North American Technician Excellence, Inc., among others. Employers increasingly recommend taking and passing these tests and obtaining certification; doing so may increase advancement opportunities. Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages. Some technicians, however, may advance to positions as supervisor or service manager. Others may move into sales and marketing. Still others may become building superintendents, cost estimators, system test and balance specialists, or, with the necessary certification, teachers.
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)/ Refrigeration Job Information