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HVAC Installer

Skilled Trades

You install the actual units — furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductwork. It's the heavy-lifting side of HVAC. You'll follow blueprints, connect refrigerant lines, wire thermostats, and spend a shocking amount of time in crawlspaces that weren't designed for anyone over 5'2". New construction is cleaner; retrofits are where things get interesting (read: terrible).

Salary Range

Low

$35k

Median

$41k

High

$48k

10-Year Growth

6%

US Workers

394K

Education

Trade school certificate or apprenticeship + EPA 608

Environment

outdoor

Tools & Technical Skills

  • Furnace & AC installation
  • Ductwork fabrication & installation
  • Brazing & soldering
  • Refrigerant charging (EPA 608)
  • Thermostat wiring & setup
  • Blueprint reading

People & Mindset Skills

  • Problem solving
  • Physical stamina
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management
  • Adaptability
  • Safety awareness

Learn the skills

Courses and certifications to get you job-ready

What you'll actually do

  • 01Install furnaces, ACs, and heat pumps in spaces that were clearly not designed for them
  • 02Run ductwork through attics, crawlspaces, and walls that fight you every inch
  • 03Braze copper lines and charge systems with refrigerant
  • 04Wire thermostats and control boards following manufacturer specs
  • 05Read blueprints and figure out how the architect's vision meets physical reality
  • 06Finish the install, test the system, and hope nothing leaks overnight

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