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| Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technicians |
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| Employment Increase: |
29% |
| People In Field: |
274,000 |
| Average Salary: |
$25,830 |
| Qualifications: |
Training, Apprenticeship |
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Nature of the Work:
Heating, airconditioning, and refrigeration systems
consist of many mechanical, electrical, and electronic
components, including motors, compressors, pumps, fans,
ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. In central heating
systems, for example, a furnace heats the air that is then
distributed throughout the building via a system of metal or
fiberglass ducts. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose,
and correct problems within the entire system. They adjust
system controls to recommended settings and test the performance
of the entire system using special tools and test equipment.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Because of the increased sophistication of heating,
air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, employers prefer to
hire those with technical school or apprenticeship training. A
sizable number of these workers, however, still learn the
trade informally on the job. Many secondary and
post-secondary technical and trade schools, junior and community
colleges, and the Armed Forces offer one- to two-year programs
in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. Students
study theory, design, and equipment construction, as well as
electronics. They also learn the basics of installation,
maintenance, and repair.
Job Outlook:
Employment of heating, airconditioning, and refrigeration technicians is
expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through
the year 2005. There will be approximately 274,000 heating, airconditioning,
and refrigeration technicians by 2005. Job prospects for airconditioning,
heating, and refrigeration technicians are expected to be very good. In
addition to jobs created by economic growth, thousands of openings will
result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations
or leave the labor force. Although relatively few heating, air-conditioning,
and refrigeration technicians transfer to other occupations—reflecting
their lengthy investment in training and the relatively high wages and benefits
in this trade—the number of retirements is expected to rise as more of
these workers reach retirement age.
Sources of Additional Information:
For more information about employment and training opportunities in this trade,
contact local vocational and technical schools; local heating, airconditioning,
and refrigeration contractors; a local of the unions previously mentioned; a
local joint unionmanagement apprenticeship committee; a local chapter of the
Associated Builders and Contractors; or the nearest office of the state employment
service or state apprenticeship agency.
For information on career opportunities and training, write to:
Associated Builders and Contractors
1300 North 17th St. NW
Rossyln, VA 22209
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
1666 Rand Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60016-3552
National Association of Home Builders
Home Builders Institute
1010 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20005
National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors
P.O. Box 6808
Falls Church, VA 22046
New England Fuel Institute
P.O. Box 888
Watertown, MA 02172
Mechanical Contractors Association of America
1385 Piccard Dr.
Rockville, MD 20850-4329
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
1501 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
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