Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. These workers may need a license or certification. PayThe median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $61,010 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 40,600 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $61,010 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 40,600 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 40,600 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
Work Environment
These workers install and repair systems in homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. They may need to work in cramped spaces, outdoors, or in extreme temperatures. Most work full time, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Heating, Air Conditioning, or Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. These workers may need a license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $61,010 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 40,600 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
These workers install and repair systems in homes, schools, hospitals, and other buildings. They may need to work in cramped spaces, outdoors, or in extreme temperatures. Most work full time, and schedules may vary.
How to Become a Heating, Air Conditioning, or Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, although some enter the occupation with less education. Once hired, they typically have a lengthy period of on-the-job training to attain competency. These workers may need a license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $61,010 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 40,600 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Explore pathway →Hear From ED
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.