How to become Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$61,010

25th–75th pct. $48,360–$77,060

Top pay (est.)

$123,800

Top 10% $95,210

Pay in 5 years

$72,100est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$85,200est.

$73,300–$98,900

Outlook score

69/100

★★★☆☆ Good

AI replacement risk

43%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

+10.9%

41K openings / yr

How to become Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Typical education

Postsecondary nondegree award

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Long-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Key skills

Installation

4.0

Critical Thinking

3.8

Troubleshooting

3.8

Operations Monitoring

3.6

Repairing

3.6

Quality Control Analysis

3.2

Complex Problem Solving

3.1

Equipment Selection

3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical

5.6

Building and Construction

5.4

Customer and Personal Service

4.8

Administrative

4.7

Administration and Management

4.6

Design

4.5

Production and Processing

4.2

Mathematics

4.2

What the work involves

Controlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeIdentifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Important abilities

Near VisionArm-Hand SteadinessFinger DexterityOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Training before entry

4–10 years

28%

Up to 1 month

26%

1–3 months

11%

6–12 months

11%

2–4 years

10%

None / short demo

3–6 months

Related work experience

4–6 years

39%

3–6 months

26%

2–4 years

19%

6–8 years

1–2 years

6–12 months

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.