Skip to content
Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Part of Architecture & Construction, in the Maintenance/Operations pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 49-9021.00

What the work is

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

On a typical day

  • Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
  • Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
  • Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
  • Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
  • Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
  • Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.

What it pays

$58,590
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $37,960
Experienced workers reach $82,400
  1. $38k10th
  2. $47k25th
  3. $59kMedian
  4. $74k75th
  5. $82k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $37,960, 25th $46,550, Median $58,590, 75th $74,010, 90th $82,400

About 3,160 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+15.2%

employment change in the Alamo region, 3,208 to 3,697 jobs · U.S. +8%

334

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 40,100

3,208

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 425,200

Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award · Training: Long-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Operations Monitoring3.8
  2. Critical Thinking3.6
  3. Troubleshooting3.5
  4. Installation3.9
  5. Repairing3.8
  6. Reading Comprehension3.0
  7. Complex Problem Solving3.3
  8. Quality Control Analysis3.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less23%
  2. Certificate68%
  3. Some college7%
  4. Associate degree2%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • St. Philip's
  1. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

    Certificate · Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Does this fit you?

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.

Check my interests
  1. Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

    Zone 3

    $60kSan Antonio median
  2. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Zone 31 Alamo program Bright outlook

    $58kSan Antonio median
  3. Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Zone 31 Alamo program

    $52kSan Antonio median
  4. Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

    Zone 31 Alamo program Bright outlook

    $58kSan Antonio median
  5. Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

    Zone 3 Bright outlook

    $45kSan Antonio median
  6. Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Zone 3 Bright outlook

    $61kSan Antonio median
  7. Boilermakers

    Zone 3

    $76kTexas median
  8. Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

    Zone 31 Alamo program

    $60kSan Antonio median