HVAC Careers Statistics
- Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians held approximately 249,000 jobs in 2002.
- About half of these were heating and cooling contractors.
- Around 15% of HVAC technicians are self-employed.
- Job openings in the field are expected to grow faster than average for 2002-2012.
- Installation specialists may experience periods of unemployment, but work for maintenance and repair technicians is usually steady; clients need to have their systems in good working order, regardless of the state of the economy.
- Technicians employed by hardware, plumbing, and heating equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers earned the highest average wage: $18.78/hour in 2002.
- In addition to health care and pension plans, most employers provide uniforms, a company van, and tools. Some also pay for training and certifications.
- About 20% of HVAC workers are members of a union.
