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Job Duties of an HVAC Technician
HVAC technicians perform maintenance, repairs, and installation of a variety of equipment which includes humidifiers, economizers, burners, commercial furnaces, heat pumps, heating units and air-conditioning systems.
The Process of Becoming a Licensed HVAC Professional in Massachusetts
The process of becoming a licensed HVAC professional involves the following steps:
- Graduate from High School
Vocational and trade schools look for applicants who have completed their high school education; thus, you will be expected to obtain your GED or a high school diploma in order to be eligible to enroll in an HVAC training program.
- Enroll in an HVAC Program
After completing high school education, you will be ready to enroll in a formal HVAC training course. Trade schools are offering a variety of HVAC programs – these include Certificate Programs, Technical Diplomas, and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in HVAC/R Technology.
- Acquire EPA Certification
Once you have completed your educational qualifications, you can then progress to the next stage. In this stage, you will be required, to obtain the EPA certification. Without this federal-level EPA certification, you won’t be able to practice as an HVAC professional.
- Participate in an Apprentice Program
Enrolling in an apprenticeship program is a great way to polish your professional skills. This experience will give you an opportunity to learn from the best mentors, gain industry knowledge, and will help you build your professional contacts.
- Obtain a Refrigeration Technician License
Technicians who are performing refrigeration work on units with a capacity of more than ten tons in total are required to hold a Refrigeration Technician License. In order to obtain this license, you will have to file an application and then clear a written exam. You can top up this license with other specialized industry certifications.
License Pre-requirements
You must:
- Fill in a complete application and mention your social security number, home address and mailing address.
- Provide a copy of your high school diploma or an equivalent certification.
- Attach a passport sized photograph.
- Submit a copy of your CFC Certification and Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the Division of Apprentice Standards.
- Submit an application fee of $75.
AND
- Provide proof of completion of 6,000 hours as a Refrigeration Apprentice in Massachusetts.
- Submit proof that you have completed 250 hours of refrigeration course, which should include 150 hours of Massachusetts electrical code training and 100 hours of refrigeration theory.
OR
- Show proof that you have worked no less than 4,000 hours as a Refrigeration Apprentice in Massachusetts.
- Submit documentation from an approved school that shows completion of 500 hours in refrigeration course, which consists of 100 hours of Massachusetts electrical code training, 100 hours of refrigeration theory and 250 hours of shop related work.
OR
- Show proof that you have worked no less than 2,000 hours as a Refrigeration Apprentice in Massachusetts.
- Submit documentation from an approved school that shows completion of 1,000 hours in a refrigeration course, which consists of 100 hours of Massachusetts electrical code training, 100 hours of refrigeration theory, and 700 hours of shop related work.
OR
- Submit a copy of master technician’s license, refrigeration technician’s license, or an equivalent from another jurisdiction.
- Submit documentation from an employer listing certification and work experience requirements equivalent to the Refrigeration Technician Prerequisites mentioned above.
OR
- Should be approved by a majority vote of the Bureau.
How Much Do HVAC Professionals Earn in Massachusetts?
Heating, Air conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers working in Massachusetts earned an annual mean wage of $59,890 in 2018. This is higher than the national average of $50,160.
The salary trend of these professionals is displayed in the table below:
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
---|---|---|---|
Annual Mean Salary (MA) | $57,110 | $59,100 | $59,890 |
Annual Mean Salary (US) | $48,320 | $49,530 | $50,160 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
It can be deduced that annual mean salary of Heating, Air conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Massachusetts increased from 2016 to 2018 and the state averages were higher than the national averages for all three years.
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