Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Apply Request Info

Employment Information

Wages

In Washington, the median hourly wage for heating and cooling system mechanics is $25.12/hour. An experienced HVAC technician could earn up to $38.21/hour.

Nationally, experienced HVAC technicians had median hourly wages of $21.10 in 2013. Apprentices and beginners usually start out at half-wage and earn a series of raises to meet the rate of experienced workers.

Working Conditions

HVAC technicians work for service, construction or manufacturing companies. Some technicians own their own businesses. HVAC technicians usually work 40 hours/week, including some overtime or irregular hours during peak seasons.

Heating and cooling system mechanics work both indoors and outdoors. Air conditioning units are often located outside, while furnaces are usually located indoors. 

Employment Outlook

Between 2012 and 2022, the number of jobs in HVAC is projected to increase 33 percent in Washington. Nationally, the number of jobs in HVAC is expected to grow 21 percent through the year 2022. The best opportunities for working with residential air conditioning and heat pumps are in warmer climates.