HVAC Technician: What is the cost of hiring?

What is an HVAC Technician?

An HVAC Technician installs, services and repairs heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. They often provide advice about the type and size of systems needed to maintain optimal temperature control. Technicians also conduct tests to troubleshoot problems and evaluate system performance.

Why hire an HVAC Technician?

HVAC Technicians help create comfortable environments while improving energy efficiency and minimizing system downtime. Their work directly supports customer satisfaction, employee productivity and regulatory compliance. For businesses that offer HVAC services, hiring a skilled technician also helps grow revenue through better service delivery.

Contributions of a great HVAC Technician:

• Increased system reliability and performance
• Improved energy efficiency and long-term cost savings
• Early detection of issues to reduce emergency repairs or replacements

Defining your hiring needs for an HVAC Technician

As you decide how to hire an HVAC Technician, defining your hiring needs helps guide the selection process. Identify whether the role is customer-facing or facility-based, and determine the expected workload to choose between full-time, part-time or contract.

It’s also helpful to clarify the technician’s area of focus, such as residential, commercial or industrial systems, and whether you need someone with supervisory experience. Related roles may include HVAC Installer, Maintenance Technician or Service Manager.

What are the types of HVAC Technicians?

HVAC Technicians may specialize by environment, system type or experience level. Common role types include:

• Residential HVAC Technician: Installs and services heating and cooling systems in homes, including ductwork, heat pumps and furnaces.
• Commercial HVAC Technician: Works on larger systems in office buildings, schools or hospitals. May handle rooftop units, chillers and complex ductwork.
• Industrial HVAC Technician: Manages specialized equipment in factories or warehouses, including refrigeration units, air handling systems and heat exchangers.
• Apprentice HVAC Technician: Gains hands-on experience under the supervision of a licensed technician, often through a formal apprenticeship program.
• Senior HVAC Technician: Oversees complex jobs and may supervise junior technicians. Typically has years of field experience and advanced troubleshooting skills.

When writing your HVAC Technician job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on HVAC Technician jobs, according to Indeed data:

• HVAC
• HVAC Technician
• HVAC Apprentice 
• Apprentice
• HVAC Helper
• Maintenance
• Apprenticeship
• Commercial HVAC

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Where to find HVAC Technicians

HVAC Technicians can be found through skilled trades job boards, vocational training programs, union referrals and trade associations. Partnering with local technical schools, attending industry job fairs or connecting with apprenticeship programs can help you reach qualified candidates.

To find the right HVAC Technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Apprenticeship programs: State government agencies, the United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Techs (UA) and other organizations sponsor apprenticeships for HVAC Technicians.
• Construction recruitment firms and staffing agencies: Partner with a specialty construction industry recruitment firm for help recruiting and screening candidates. 
• Construction career fairs: Attend career fairs and hiring events for construction industry workers sponsored by community organizations, trade schools or community colleges.
• Networking: Join professional organizations and attend events to build relationships with HVAC Technicians and build your talent pipeline.
• Post your job online: Try posting your HVAC Technician job on Indeed to find and attract quality candidates.

Skills to look for in an HVAC Technician

A successful HVAC Technician candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• Arithmetic skills to take precise measurements and calculate system loads
• Familiarity with commonly used tools and equipment, such as manifold gauge sets, vacuum pumps, tubing cutters, flaring and swaging tools, anemometers, manometers, impact drivers, pliers, wrenches and screwdrivers
• Ability to troubleshoot system issues with equipment and technology, including multimeters, clamp meters, capacitor testers, voltage testers, thermometers, leak detectors, smart probes, Fieldpiece Job Link and the testo Smart App 
• Familiarity with local building codes, state HVAC regulations and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules for electrical safety, refrigerant safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazard identification and prevention
• Customer service and communication skills to explain systems simply, answer questions and resolve customer concerns 

Writing an HVAC Technician job description

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job seeker search terms and hiring insights for an HVAC Technician, you’re ready to write a job description.

An HVAC Technician job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the position’s required and preferred skills. You may also include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing HVAC Technician job descriptions.

Interviewing HVAC Technician candidates

Strong candidates for HVAC Technician positions will be confident answering questions about:

• Procedures for calculating system requirements
• Understanding and explaining the refrigeration cycle, including how refrigerant moves through evaporators, compressors, condensers and expansion valves to regulate temperature
• Emergency call protocols
• Utilizing preventative maintenance (PM) checklists
• Best practices for preventing workplace injuries and illnesses