Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician

About this occupation

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technicians aid in the design of devices which provide heating, ventilation, air conditioning and possibly refrigeration in buildings. They ensure the equipment complies with environmental standards. They handle hazardous materials used in the systems, and ensure safety precautions are in place.

A specialisation of mechanical engineering technician.

• Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
• Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
• Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
• Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
• Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
• Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Conventional, Investigative

Top skills: Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Critical Thinking, Repairing, Reading Comprehension, Installation

US median pay: US$61,010 a year (2025), 409,670 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionExtremely important (4.5)
• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.3)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.9)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (3.6)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.5)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.