HVAC Career Path: Positions, Training, Growth and More

What Is The HVAC Career Path?

The HVAC industry has many job opportunities, and there are several career paths you can follow depending on your preference.

Regardless of your end goal, HVAC technicians will generally start with training at a trade school or an apprenticeship before advancing to an entry-level position.

As skills develop and experience is gained, advancement opportunities will arise.

Below are some HVAC positions in order from entry-level to senior-level to give you examples of a possible HVAC career path.

Entry-level positions

An entry-level HVAC position refers to a role that requires little to no experience in the HVAC industry. They are ideal for those with no HVAC certifications or just finished school.

Entry-level positions will generally start with an apprenticeship involving observing experienced technicians as they install and repair HVAC systems. Eventually, the apprentice will assist with different job duties under close supervision.

Once the apprenticeship is completed, aspiring HVAC technicians can apply for other entry-level roles. They typically involve installations, repairs, and services on ventilation systems, boilers, air conditioners, and furnaces. 

Examples of entry-level positions include:

• HVAC installer ($18.44/hour, Indeed)

• HVAC technician ($23.43/hour, ZipRecruiter)

• Warehouse associate ($20.82/hour, Indeed)

• HVAC assembler ($24.38, Indeed)

• HVAC helper ($18.31/hour, Talent.com)

Mid-level positions

Mid-level positions in the HVAC industry typically require around three to six years of experience. By this point in your career, you should have the Universal EPA Section 608 Technician certification. 

It may be helpful to gain some other technical HVAC certifications, such as the Professional Technician certificate. 

The responsibilities of these roles will vary depending on the specific job requirements. They could include installing HVAC equipment, programming control sequences, supervising a team of technicians and assigning jobs, and even hiring new technicians.

Mid-level HVAC positions include:

• Manufacturer representative ($64,200/year, Salary.com)

• HVAC controls technician ($54,632/year, Zippia)

• HVAC service manager ($91,842/year, Glassdoor)

• Commercial HVAC service technician ($69,908/year, ZipRecruiter)

Senior-level positions

Senior-level roles are ideal for professionals in the HVAC industry for more than seven to 10 years. Advanced qualifications, certifications, and degrees can be beneficial, such as an Associate’s degree or a Master Specialist Hands-On certificate.

Responsibilities in these roles can include developing education courses for future HVAC technicians, opening or running an HVAC business, and HVAC control system implementation, modification, and maintenance.

Senior HVAC roles include:

• HVAC instructor ($65,349/year, Glassdoor)

• HVAC general manager ($125,000/year, Talent.com)

• HVAC operations manager ($90,000/year, Talent.com)

At various points along the HVAC career path, there are specialization opportunities. We’ll take a look at some examples in the next section.

What Are Some HVAC Career Specializations?

HVAC career specializations are niche roles that require specialist training and certifications. Depending on existing skills and experience, an HVAC worker may specialize in one of these roles instead of following the traditional career path.

Here are some examples of common HVAC specializations:

• Refrigeration technician: Specializes in installations, upgrades, repairs, and replacements of commercial and residential cooling and refrigeration systems in grocery stores, restaurants, other businesses, and homes. ($58,456/year, Salary.com)

• Indoor air quality (IAQ) inspector: Assesses air quality inside buildings and looks for pollutants, allergens, mold, and other issues that affect comfort and health, then recommends solutions. ($61,629/year, Glassdoor)

• HVAC auto technician: Works on air conditioning systems in vehicles like cars, vans, and trucks. HVAC auto technicians are essential in car manufacturing and assembly, too. ($52,075/year, Glassdoor)

• HVAC systems design engineer: Designs HVAC systems for various markets, including office buildings, apartment blocks, malls, warehouses, and industrial applications. Needs to plan how the HVAC system will work and calculate the building’s cooling and heating requirements. 

HVAC systems design engineers may also contribute to HVAC research and development. ($131,822/year, Glassdoor)

• Energy auditor: Assesses energy use and analyzes each component of an HVAC system, ensuring everything works efficiently and safely. 

They play a crucial role in preventative HVAC maintenance and ensuring building owners comply with air quality and energy use regulations. ($74,046/year, Glassdoor) 

What Are The Pros and Cons of an HVAC Career?

As with any career, working in the HVAC industry has pros and cons.

The pros of having an HVAC career are the following:

• Physically active job

• Good compensation — Toby Chase, an HVAC apprentice, says “You can make just as much as some people who go to college.”

• Good work hours — Chase added “It's fulfilling work [and] a good schedule. I work a 40-hour week, maybe more if I need the money or want to.” 

• Highly stable, as people will always need heating, cooling, and ventilation systems — Billy Dahmen, another HVAC apprentice, says “This is a full-fledged career with awesome career opportunities and limitless possibilities. There are so many different aspects of the trade.” 

• Great problem-solving opportunities — Billy Kinney adds “You're a problem solver. You're there when people need you.”

The cons of an HVAC career are listed below:

• Electrical shock risk

• Other safety hazards like exposure to dust, particles, and hazardous materials, and the risk of being struck by falling objects and debris

• Working in tight spaces

• Physically demanding and tiring

• Potentially long hours

What Training is Required to Start a Career in HVAC?

Once you have your high school diploma or GED, you can enroll in a training program, college, or a certificate program. There are different options here that take different amounts of time to complete. 

For example, an HVAC certificate program could take 10 months, whereas a bachelor’s degree takes four years. While a certificate program is completed faster, it focuses solely on HVAC knowledge and skills. A degree tends to include additional education and often provides further work opportunities.

Many employers also prefer new HVAC technicians to complete a three- to five-year apprenticeship program, although it isn’t required. Some apprenticeships provide nationally recognized certification when complete and serve as an alternative to training programs.

Another benefit of apprenticeship programs is that apprentices gain hands-on HVAC experience and are paid for their time. 

HVAC technicians are required to gain a license from the state where they will work. Specific state licensing requirements vary, but all states require technicians to acquire the Section 608 Technician Certification to work with refrigerants. 

Where Do HVAC Professionals Work?

HVAC professionals are required to work onsite anywhere where HVAC systems are installed. Working locations could include:

• Homes

• Offices

• Apartment buildings

• Hospitals

• Medical facilities

• Research departments

• Automotive assembly lines

• Factories

• Restaurants

• Grocery stores

There are a vast number of potential working locations that will largely depend on the specific HVAC role. 

What Are Some Alternative Jobs for an HVAC Technician?

There may come a time in your HVAC career when you decide to transition away from hands-on work. In-the-field HVAC work is physically demanding and may no longer be viable after an injury or as you get older.

Luckily, depending on your skill level, there are many alternatives to hands-on work.

Some options include:

• Project management: Requires extensive field experience, robust time and people management skills, advanced technical education, and customer service skills. Project managers oversee installation and repair projects and ensure timely completion.

• Sales: Requires thorough knowledge of HVAC systems, equipment, and components, sales experience, and great customer service skills.

• Customer service: Requires excellent customer service and communication skills and a mid-level knowledge of standard HVAC practices Customer service teams are responsible for scheduling callouts, managing bookings, and handling customer concerns.

What Are Some HVAC Career Growth Tips?

The HVAC industry offers great job stability and plenty of opportunities for career development and growth. To ensure you keep moving forward, keep the following tips in mind:

• Pursue continuous education: Many high-level and senior roles mentioned in this article require certifications, licenses, and even degrees beyond hands-on experience. Continuing education is an excellent way to stay on top of new technologies and certifications.

• Specialize in high-demand areas: Specializing is an excellent way to grow your career quickly as you focus on a niche area of the HVAC industry. Look for one in high demand to grow faster.

• Network: Develop your network of HVAC professionals to learn more about the industry. Attend conferences and seminars on new systems and equipment.

• Develop your soft skills: Communication, time management, and problem-solving are vital for success in the HVAC industry. Work on improving them alongside your technical skills. 

• Be tech savvy: Technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in the HVAC industry. ServiceTitan’s HVAC software empowers technicians to book appointments faster, manage clients better, and stay updated on jobs through the mobile app, contributing to happier customers.

Following this guidance will soon see you climbing the HVAC ranks.

Over to You

HVAC systems and the professionals that design, install, maintain, and repair them are essential to countless businesses, schools, homes, hospitals, and more. 

The first step to becoming an HVAC professional is hands-on learning and education. Then, as you learn and develop your skills on the job, you are open to a wide variety of HVAC roles. 

Maintain career growth using technology like ServiceTitan to improve job handling, customer service, and business functions. 

ServiceTitan is home services software that enables HVAC professionals to improve customer relations, create marketing campaigns, dispatch technicians, and easily manage jobs and bookings. Our suite of tools is trusted by over 100,000 home services professionals countrywide.