DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
49-9021 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Occupational Description:
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 3,920 | 412 | $27.68/hr | $1.16/hr | $16.06/hr | $20.90/hr | $26.24/hr | $33.00/hr | $43.55/hr |
| U S | 342,040 | 4,447 | $25.09/hr | $0.10/hr | $14.94/hr | $18.38/hr | $23.78/hr | $30.28/hr | $38.02/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2023 - 2025 | |
| Home Appliance Repairers | 770 | $18.60/hr | 2.3% |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | 750 | $18.46/hr | 0.7% |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 690 | $36.10/hr | 1.5% |
| Motorboat Mechanics | 510 | $21.32/hr | 3.0% |
| Motorcycle Mechanics | 410 | $21.81/hr | 2.5% |
| Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers | 300 | $20.23/hr | 1.9% |
| Locksmiths and Safe Repairers | 230 | $21.86/hr | -0.7% |
Tasks for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Lays out and connects electrical wiring between controls and equipment according to wiring diagram, using electrician's hand tools.
- Wraps pipes in insulation and secures it in place with cement or wire bands.
- Studies blueprints to determine configuration of heating or cooling equipment components.
- Inspects inoperative equipment to locate source of trouble.
- Discusses heating-cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify malfunctions have been corrected.
- Inspects and tests system to verify system compliance with plans and specifications and to detect malfunctions.
- Adjusts system controls to setting recommended by manufacturer to balance system, using hand tools.
- Installs auxiliary components to heating-cooling equipment, such as expansion and discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues and stokers, following blueprints.
- Tests pipe or tubing joints and connections for leaks, using pressure gauge or soap-and-water solution.
- Assembles, positions, and mounts heating or cooling equipment, following blueprints.
- Disassembles system and cleans and oils parts.
- Mounts compressor, condenser, and other components in specified location on frame, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.
- Replaces or adjusts defective or worn parts to repair system and reassembles system.
- Cuts, bends, threads, and connects pipe to functional components and water, power, or refrigeration system.
- Installs expansion and control valves, using acetylene torch and wrenches.
- Assembles structural and functional components, such as controls, switches, gauges, wiring harnesses, valves, pumps, compressors, condensers, cores, and pipes.
- Brazes or solders parts to repair defective joints and leaks.
- Drills holes and installs mounting brackets and hangers into floor and walls of building.
- Fabricates and assembles components and structural portions of refrigeration system, using hand tools, powered tools, and welding equipment.
- Keeps records of repairs and replacements made and causes of malfunctions.
- Reads blueprints to determine location, size, capacity, and type of components needed to build refrigeration system.
- Tests lines, components, and connections for leaks.
- Lays out reference points for installation of structural and functional components, using measuring instruments.
- Dismantles malfunctioning systems and tests components, using electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic testing equipment.
- Observes system operation, using gauges and instruments, and adjusts or replaces mechanisms and parts, according to specifications.
- Adjusts valves according to specifications and charges system with specified type of refrigerant.
- Lifts and aligns components into position, using hoist or block and tackle.
- Installs, connects, and adjusts thermostats, humidistats, and timers, using hand tools.
- Repairs or replaces defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Joins pipes or tubing to equipment and to fuel, water, or refrigerant source, to form complete circuit.
- Tests electrical circuits and components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
- Fabricates, assembles, and installs duct work and chassis parts, using portable metal-working tools and welding equipment.
- Cuts and drills holes in floors, walls, and roof to install equipment, using power saws and drills.
- Measures, cuts, threads, and bends pipe or tubing, using pipefitter's tools.
- Reassembles equipment and starts unit to test operation.
