HVAC Technician: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
HVAC Technicians earn a national median of $59,810/yr with 8.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Mechanical, Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$59,810
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
8.1%
Faster than average
Employed Nationally
396,870
2024 data
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a HVAC Technician
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in HVAC Technician candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for HVAC Technician performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for HVAC Technician roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 8.1% for HVAC Technician roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 396,870
- Projected Growth
- 8.1%
- Typical Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a HVAC Technician do?
- HVAC Technicians apply expertise in Mechanical, Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Troubleshooting, Reading Comprehension.
- How much does a HVAC Technician make?
- The national median salary for a HVAC Technician is $59,810 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is HVAC Technician a good career in 2026?
- Employment for HVAC Technician roles is projected to grow 8.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 396,870 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a HVAC Technician?
- The typical entry-level education for a HVAC Technician is Postsecondary nondegree award. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do HVAC Technicians need?
- The most important skills for HVAC Technician roles based on verified occupational data: Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Troubleshooting, Reading Comprehension, Installation, Repairing, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking. Key tools and technologies include: Autodesk AutoCAD, SAP software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.