Where Do HVAC Technicians Work?

Updated: 07/13/2022

The majority of HVAC technicians (66%) work for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors.1 These are the techs you might call to repair or maintain the furnace in a home or office building.1,2*

Another 7% of HVAC technicians worked for themselves, or were self-employed, in 2019, reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the last year data is available.1*

Other top employers of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers, as the BLS calls them, included wholesale trade (4%), educational services (3%) and retail trade (3%).1*

These figures, however, don’t tell the whole story about where HVAC technicians work. Continue reading for a more in-depth look at the industries, settings and locations where these pros ply their trade.

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Section 1

What Does an HVAC Technician Do on a Daily Basis?

HVAC technicians specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, cooling and air conditioning systems and machinery.2 HVACR techs may also work on different types of refrigeration systems.2

What an HVAC technician does on a daily basis can depend on his or her specific job but may include the following tasks:

  • Inspecting HVAC systems to evaluate conditions, troubleshooting problems and diagnosing failures in the system.
  • Identifying repair or replacement needs and recommending a maintenance plan.
  • Installing HVAC systems to enhance environmental conditions or upgrading existing equipment.
  • Maintaining tools and equipment to ensure optimal performance and safe operation.
  • Performing routine maintenance on HVAC systems.
  • Preparing documentation and paperwork for repair status, activity logs, work orders, etc.
  • Repairing HVAC systems or components to ensure the continued operability of the system.
  • Responding during or after work hours to repair broken equipment.
  • Reporting to one or multiple job sites each day to make service calls.2

When working as part of a team, HVAC technicians may be responsible for collaborating with foremen and other skilled workers, such as electricians, pipefitters and sheet metal workers.2,3

If you like mechanics, working with your hands or fixing things, then a career in HVAC may be a good choice.

hvac students learning electrical work

Section 2

What Are the Work Environments and Conditions of an HVAC Job?

Would a career in HVAC have you working indoors or outside? What kind of work schedule might you keep? Would you have to wear safety gear while on the job?

Explore the work settings, schedules and safety gear typical of a career in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration service and repair below.

HVAC Technician Work Settings

From extreme temperatures to confined spaces, here are just some of the different environments you might work in as an HVACR technician. Keep in mind that work settings can vary with the specific job, and comparing the different HVAC careers can give you a better idea of what conditions you might encounter as a technician.

Cold and Hot Environments

When technicians are called to repair the HVAC system in a building, such as a school, factory, home, office building or store, they may experience hot or cold indoor temperatures because the heating or cooling equipment isn’t working.1

Outdoor work, which can be hot or cold, depending on the climate in the area of repairs and the season, is another possibility. The condenser on residential cooling units is often outdoors on the ground.4 Businesses in tall buildings generally install cooling units on the rooftop.5

Cramped Spaces

HVAC technicians may work in confined spaces when repairing or maintaining equipment, such as units in a closet, crawl space or attic.1 Many HVAC technicians also work in enclosed vehicles and equipment.3

Rooftops

HVACR technicians can specialize in one particular area of expertise, such as testing and balancing, commercial refrigeration or solar panels.2

Solar panels are generally installed on a roof or a tall structure and may require a ladder to reach them for maintenance, testing and repairs.6

HVAC Technician Work Schedules

Schedules are typically full-time, but the nature of their work means that having hours outside of the typical office shift can be common. During the sweltering heat of summer or freezing cold of winter, HVAC technicians may have to work evenings and weekends. These times of year may mean working irregular hours and/or overtime.1

Safety Gear for HVAC Techs

As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes, working with refrigerants can come with risks. HVAC technicians must be trained in the proper use and handling of these substances.1 HVAC safety practices include, among other things, wearing safety gloves and goggles at all times when handling refrigerants.7

General safety gear may include slip-resistant shoes to ensure steady footing when dealing with potential leaks and slippery floors.8 Technicians working in an environment where objects may fall from above may wear a hardhat or helmet.8 Earplugs should be worn by those working in loud settings for extended periods of time.8

teaching hvac student commercial refrigeration

Section 3

Industries Where HVAC Technicians Work

In 2020, 344,020 HVACR technicians were employed in the U.S., according to the BLS.9 Common work settings for HVAC technicians include homes, office buildings, stores, schools, hospitals and factories.1*

The industries below were the largest employers of these tradespeople.9*

Industries with the Highest Levels of Employment for HVAC Technicians in 2020
Industry
Employment
Building Equipment Contractors
254,320
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
10,770
Direct Selling Establishments
9,250
Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance
6,670
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
5,780

Within and outside of these fields, HVAC technicians worked in a host of different types of industries and sectors within those industries. Below is a sampling of them to give you a better idea of the many types of HVAC careers and jobs.

Locations Where HVAC Technicians Work

HVAC technicians are employed across the country, but certain states and metropolitan areas have higher concentrations of these tradespeople than others. Job growth in these states tends to be higher than the national average of 4% for HVAC techs over the next decade.10*

Top States for HVAC Technician Employment in 2020
State
Number of Employed HVAC Technicians in 2020
Projected Job Growth for HVAC Technicians through 2028
Florida
33,210 Techs Employed
16%11
California
32,410 Techs Employed
13%12
Texas
28,010 Techs Employed
16%13
New York
16,730 Techs Employed
11%14
Pennsylvania
14,900 Techs Employed
9%15

9*

State Spotlight: Arizona’s Hot HVAC Job Mark

Guess which state is predicted to have 21% job growth for HVAC technicians through 2028? Arizona.16*

The U.S. Department of Labor projects the state’s labor force of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers to grow from 3,780 technicians in 2018 to 4,590 technicians in 2028.16 Job prospects are expected to be good for other skilled trades workers in Arizona as well.*

Recent HVAC school graduates looking for a hot job market might want to consider Arizona in the coming years.

Top Metropolitan Areas for HVAC Technician Employment in 2020
Metro Area
Number of HVAC Techs Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
17,120 HVAC Techs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
10,780 HVAC Techs
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
9,160 HVAC Techs
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
8,220 HVAC Techs
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
7,860 HVAC Techs
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE- MD
7,310 HVAC Techs
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
7,250 HVAC Techs
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
6,330 HVAC Techs
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD- WV
6,020 HVAC Techs
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
5,900 HVAC Techs

9 *

Learn More about a Career in HVAC

Now you know where HVAC technicians typically work. What else is there to discover about this occupation?

Quite a lot: how much they make, how to become one, what types of certifications and licenses they need and much, much more. Reading an HVAC Technician Career Overview may be the best place to start to learn more about this growing field.

*According to BLS data Arizona employed 10,000 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) through May 2020 http://data.bls.gov/oes.

Additional Sources