HVAC technician job description template

What a HVAC technician does

HVAC technicians install, service, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. In summer and winter, they're among the busiest tradespeople anywhere. Technicians compare postings by pay, commissions or spiffs, truck and tool policies, and on-call frequency. Say whether the work is residential service, new construction installs, or commercial refrigeration, because they draw on very different skills.

HVAC technician job description template

Copy the description, replace everything in [brackets], and cut any line that isn't true for your job. The duties and requirements are a starting point written by HR practitioners, not a legal standard, so edit them to match the real work.

HVAC technician

Details
- Department: [Department]
- Reports to: [Manager title]
- Location: [City, State, or remote]
- Employment type: [Full-time, part-time, or seasonal]
- FLSA status: Nonexempt
- Pay range: [$X to $Y per hour]

About [Company]
[Two or three sentences about what your company does, who it serves, and why people like working here.]

Job summary
We're hiring an HVAC technician to install, service, and repair heating and cooling systems for our [residential or commercial] customers.

What you'll do
- Diagnose and repair heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
- Install new HVAC equipment, ductwork, and controls.
- Perform seasonal maintenance and inspections.
- Handle refrigerants safely and in line with EPA rules.
- Explain repair options and costs clearly to customers.
- Complete service tickets, invoices, and warranty paperwork.
- Keep the service vehicle stocked and organized.
- Take part in the on-call rotation.

What you'll need
- EPA Section 608 certification.
- [Two] or more years of HVAC experience.
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
- Ability to work in attics, crawl spaces, and on roofs.

Nice to have
- HVAC trade school or apprenticeship.
- NATE certification.
- Commercial or refrigeration experience.

Skills
Diagnostics, Refrigerant handling, Customer communication, Electrical controls, Safety, Time management.

Physical demands and work environment
Customer homes and businesses, including attics, crawl spaces, and rooftops, in extreme heat and cold. Requires lifting up to 75 pounds with help.

Pay and benefits
[$X to $Y per hour], based on experience and location. [List benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan match, paid time off, and training.]

Equal opportunity
[Company] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview, contact [name] at [email or phone].

How to customize it for your job

• Say whether the work is residential, commercial, or refrigeration.
• Explain pay method, commission, and spiffs.
• List truck, tools, and phone policy.
• Describe on-call frequency.

Then check it against the HRTally job description standard, our 10-point checklist, and run it through the inclusive language swap list. Both take about five minutes.

How much to pay a HVAC technician

Half of US heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earned more than $29.33 an hour in May 2025, and half earned less, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That national figure is a starting point, not a pay range. Pay for the same job can differ by 30 percent or more between metro areas, so check the BLS occupation profile for state and metro data before you set your range.

For hourly roles, the legal floor matters as much as the market rate. Check the current rate where the job is based in our minimum wage by state table, and the state's overtime and break rules in our state labor law library.

To convert between hourly and annual pay, use our salary to hourly calculator. If you hire in a state or city with a pay transparency law, the range must appear in the posting itself. Our pay transparency laws guide lists where, and our guide to salary bands explains how to set ranges you can defend.

Exempt status, licenses, and legal notes

FLSA status: Nonexempt (overtime eligible). Job titles don't decide overtime eligibility. Duties and pay do. Our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees walks through each test, and the overtime calculator shows what a nonexempt employee is owed.

The Clean Air Act requires technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants to hold EPA Section 608 certification, and Section 609 certification covers motor vehicle air conditioning. Many states and cities license HVAC contractors or mechanics. Flat-rate or commission pay must still meet minimum wage and overtime requirements for every workweek.

This is general information for US employers, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state and city, so confirm the current rules or talk to employment counsel before you rely on them.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same core questions and score answers against the same criteria. Structured interviews are fairer and predict job performance better than open conversation.

1. A customer says their AC is running but not cooling. Where do you start?
2. How do you explain an expensive repair without high-pressure selling?
3. Tell me about your experience with refrigerant recovery.
4. How do you handle a callback on a repair you made?

When you're ready to schedule, use our interview invitation email template. For a full hiring process, read the recruitment process guide.

Frequently asked questions