Starting a Career as an HVAC Contractor
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Talented HVAC technicians not only install and maintain home and office ventilation systems, the same systems that control temperature and normal air circulation, they also make spaces healthy and liveable. HVAC contractors can also act as salesmen and are usually experts regarding the specific brands they represent. They regularly liaison directly with clients to discuss what product (air ducts, air conditioning, heating pumps) will be used and once an agreement is reached and a contract signed, they decide how the system will best be set up. The same HVAC technician will likely provide the regular maintenance service and design the system to best maximize efficiency and economy, while testing the performance using their specialty computers and industry-specific tools.
How Much Does an HVAC Contractor Make?
HVAC is a growth industry and a promising career. The median salary is $47,000 (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Currently, most of the jobs in this industry can be found with licensed builders or building equipment contractors, a higher bracket of payscale can also be made working for civil engineers and on large municipal or governmental infrastructure projects. This field looks especially promising moving forward.
