Is HVAC a good career? An inside look at this cool career path

What is HVAC?

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is the practice of moving air within areas at different temperatures. HVAC Technicians are primarily responsible for maintaining and repairing heating and air conditioning units. Some typical skills HVAC Technicians commonly use are:

• Problem Solving
• Mechanical
• Teamwork
• Customer Service
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Professionalism
• Organization
• Time Management
• Customer Service

If you’re wondering if HVAC is a good career for you, HVAC is a good career path to follow for those who want job stability, security, and constant opportunities, who are willing to work in outdoor and sometimes uncomfortable settings to solve problems to help various businesses, residences, and governmental entities continue to operate smoothly. HVAC is a good career that offers stability for those who are willing to work for it. 

What career paths can I pursue with an HVAC degree?

There are a number of paths that HVAC Technicians can pursue:

1. Residential

Residential HVAC Technicians focus on units in private homes and housing complexes for residential areas.

Typical salary expectations for HVAC Technicians in Texas:

• Entry level (0-2 years of experience): $44,100
• Intermediate (2-4 years of experience): $52,400
• Senior (4-7 years of experience): $58,900
• Supervisor (7+ years of experience): $78,500
• Salary information provided by ServiceTitan. 

Residential HVAC Technicians typically need to have very friendly customer service skills due to the frequent interaction with homeowners and customers who may not have any understanding of Air Conditioning Systems. Customers may be frustrated that there’s no heat and air conditioning in their home, so the situation can be stressful and require skills to handle delicate emotions.

Some typical residential HVAC Technician responsibilities include:

• Completing HVAC Repairs, Maintenance, installations, and other related in-home, service calls for residential and rental properties
• Diagnosing and repairing electronic, mechanical, and electrical components of these systems

There are many reasons you should work in HVAC, and residential HVAC Technicians especially have the ability to help others during stressful times and improve the quality of life for those in their residences. 

2. Commercial

Commercial HVAC Technicians work on units for commercial industries like restaurants, businesses, retail stores, or manufacturers. 

Typical salary expectations for HVAC Technicians in Texas:

• Entry level (0-2 years of experience): $44,100
• Intermediate (2-4 years of experience): $52,400
• Senior (4-7 years of experience): $58,900
• Supervisor (7+ years of experience): $78,500
• Salary information provided by ServiceTitan. 

Commercial HVAC Technicians need to have good relationship development skills to connect with clients, business owners, and managers of the facilities they may work for. Commercial HVAC Technicians may find themselves returning to some clients’ facilities for repairs or maintenance more frequently than those who may house-calls in the residential sector.

Some typical commercial HVAC Technician responsibilities include:

• Establish and maintain a positive relationship with customers, vendors, and co-workers through effective oral, written, and electronic communication skills
• Perform scheduled and unscheduled preventative maintenance, inspections, site surveys, and service requests including repair, replacement, and modifications of equipment or systems as need or requested by customers
• Remove old systems and installing new systems
• Ordering and maintaining equipment
• Meeting local HVAC Codes

There are many reasons you should work in HVAC, and commercial HVAC Technicians especially have consistency and job security that most other career paths don’t. 

3. Sales/Marketing

HVAC Sales Representatives are professionals who connect companies, contractors, and other customers with Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation equipment and units for purchasing. 

The national average salary for HVAC Sales Representatives is $49,586 per year in the United States. 

Sales Representatives in any field, but especially in the HVAC Career Path, need to have the ability to communicate and develop relationships with customers. In order to effectively advocate for the HVAC products you’re trying to market and sell, you need to have good relationships with those who use the equipment as well as work experience in the field to have some credibility.

Some typical HVAC Sales Representative responsibilities include:

• Building and developing relationships with local communities by calling on existing and prospective customers
• Generate new business with various end users including staff at apartment communities as well as key decision makers at property management companies
• Develop key customer relationships to help facilitate growth in a new market or existing markets
• Network for new customer contacts by regularly attending local association meetings and functions
• Create and execute detailed sales plan
• Recognize and communicate local market conditions and competition information to develop overall sales strategy

There are many reasons you should work in HVAC, but specifically in sales and marketing, you have the opportunity for a flexible schedule and the option to utilize your people skills to make an impressive income. 

4. Automated Controls

HVAC Automation Service Technicians, also sometimes called HVAC Automation Engineers, are responsible for building quality automation controls for HVAC systems and providing engineering and technical oversight for projects. 

The average salary for Building Automation Technicians is $65,218 per year. 

Some typical Building Automation Technician responsibilities include:

• Service and maintain building automation systems
• Installing new systems
• Installing controllers & pulling wire
• Making technical recommendations for leads and proposals for retrofits, upgrades, or enhancements
• Take part in solution-based discussions with owners and project managers
• Assist in startup and commissioning of large systems, such as AHUs, chiller plants, or utilities systems

There are many reasons you should work in HVAC, and Building Automation Technicians have the unique opportunity to utilize problem solving skills and put their technical interests to the test.

5. Design/Engineering

For those who want to further their education, particularly to enter engineering, a career as an HVAC engineer may be a good option. 

An HVAC engineer is a mechanical engineer who designs ventilation, conditioning, and heating systems for buildings. 

The average salary for an HVAC Engineer is $105,333 per year. 

Some typical HVAC Design & Engineering Responsibilities include:

• Design of HVAC and plumbing systems with various forms of delivery
• Work with team of mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers on project engineering, management, and support
• Be proficient in and utilize AUTOCAD
• Develop HVAC design/build project plans for both engineering and estimation
• Establishes professional customer/vendor relationships with appropriate customer personnel
• Meets client deadlines including balancing multiple priorities and responding to changes in deadline, scope, and design as they occur

There are many reasons you should work in HVAC, and those who work in design and engineering have the best opportunity to make a significant income and work in a comfortable environment away from the outside elements. 

6. Newer “Green” positions

Journey-Level Refrigeration Technician

The Journey-Level Refrigeration Technician performs breakdown and preventive maintenance of critical refrigeration equipment on a regular basis for commercial buildings or industrial plants. 

The salary range for Journey-Level Refrigeration Technicians is $80,000-$150,000 per year.

Some typical responsibilities for a Journeyman Refrigeration Service Technician include:

• Using blueprints or design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems
• Perform preventative maintenance checks on all major mechanical equipment and diagnosing equipment malfunctions and operating efficiency of mechanical equipment
• Installing and replacing all types of pumps or refrigeration equipment, pneumatic valves, electric valves, etc. 
• Calibrating thermostats and ensuring appropriate temperatures are maintained
• Test pipe or tubing joints for leaks using electronic meters or pressure gauges
• Connect systems to refrigerants line sets, air ducts, and other components
• Comply with standards, policies, or procedures

Commercial Service Technician

Commercial Service Technicians are trained to work in many different conditions and maintain systems on a seasonal basis. They may often be responsible for repairing commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems, repairing or replacing worn or defective parts, repairing or replacing pumps, pneumatic values, and more.

The salary range for Commercial Service Technicians is $60,000-$120,000 per year.  

Equipment Manufacturer Representative

Equipment Manufacturer Representatives understand the technical knowledge and skills for HVAC systems and frequently attend product training and update meetings at factories. They then provide feedback to manufacturers on performance issues and improvements to guide courses of action to improve products. 

The salary range for Equipment Manufacturer Representatives is $75,000-$150,000 per year. 

Some typical responsibilities for Equipment Manufacturer Representatives include:

• Working collaboratively with clients and customers to exceed expectations
• Provide technical assistance to HVAC, retail and other trade allies, customers, utility representatives and stakeholders
• Conduct training with trade ally or utility representatives 
• Work with contractors, distributors, and other market actors to understand and promote equipment

Explore more HVAC Career Paths here: https://hvaccareermap.org/ 

Is there job security for HVAC Technicians?

There’s always a need for HVAC Technicians, especially for the maintenance of facilities, cooling units for grocery stores, restaurants, and convenience stores, making a career as an HVAC Technician a lucrative one. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the HVAC industry is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016-2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The diversity of job opportunities and advancement in systems makes this industry an attractive and rewarding career.  A Texarkana College HVAC Graduate, Antwyn, pursued this field specifically for the job security, read more about his experience here. Regardless of the state of the economy, trades like HVAC will always be a necessity. 

Start your HVAC career at Texarkana College

Texarkana College offers a variety of options for you to complete your HVAC training. 

1 semester certificate

• Can be completed in as little as 4 months
• Covers topics like:
  • Basic Electricity for HVAC
  • EPA Recovery Certification Preparation
  • HVAC Shop Practices and Tools
  • Refrigeration Principles
• Trains you to become a certified HVAC Technician Assistant, CAD Assistant, Commercial or Residential Trainee

1 year certificate

• Can be completed in 3 semesters 
• Covers topics like:
  • Basic Electricity for HVAC
  • EPA Recovery Certification Preparation
  • HVAC Shop Practices and Tools
  • Refrigeration Principles
  • Air Conditioning Installation & Startup
  • Residential Air Conditioning
  • Air Conditioning Control Principles
  • Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
  • HVAC Zone Controls
  • Gas & Electric Heating
  • Heat Pumps
  • Advanced Electricity for HVAC
• Trains you to become a certified HVAC Technician, Residential or Commercial Installer, Facilities Maintenance Technician, Commercial Service Technician

2 year associate degree

• Can be completed in 4 semesters
• Covers topics like:
  • Basic Electricity for HVAC
  • EPA Recovery Certification Preparation
  • HVAC Shop Practices and Tools
  • Refrigeration Principles
  • Air Conditioning Installation & Startup
  • Residential Air Conditioning
  • Air Conditioning Control Principles
  • Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
  • HVAC Zone Controls
  • Gas & Electric Heating
  • Heat Pumps
  • Advanced Electricity for HVAC
  • English
  • Business Computer Applications
  • Public Speaking
• Trains you to become a certified HVAC Technician, Contractor, Maintenance Supervisor, Building Automation Technician, Refrigeration Technician, Controls Installer, Test and Balance Technician

Want to learn more about HVAC as a career? Explore the Texarkana College Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Program: https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/programs/air-conditioning-refrigeration/