What Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers this way: "Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment"; "Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring"; "Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions"; "Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit"; "Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is long-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 440,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 489,100 in 2035, an increase of 48,200 jobs (+10.9%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 40,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 6.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $61,010, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn the most
Across the 12 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,066 in Florida to $73,720 in New York, a gap of $18,653 (1.34 times). 9 of those 12 states average above the BLS national median of $61,010 and 3 average at or below it.
Florida employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 38,130, which is 14.2% of the 269,070 counted across them. California follows with 34,750.
Highest-paying states
New York ($73,720), New Jersey ($73,618) and District of Columbia ($71,920) lead the ranking, while Florida ($55,066) and Texas ($57,179) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 14 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $36,843. The smallest margin is $15,950 in Miami-Dade County, FL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 14 of the 14 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 22.3% and 54.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (49-9000) include Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Maintenance and Repair Workers, General.
Frequently asked questions about Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $61,010. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,066 to $73,720.
Which state pays Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $73,720. New Jersey is next at $73,618.
Is Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 10.9% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 40,600 openings a year.
What education do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award and long-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $36,843 on a median wage of $71,920.