Why Now is a Great Time to Become an HVAC Technician

*updated January 2026 

When your furnace fails in the dead of winter, or your air conditioner can’t keep up with the suffocating summer heat, you need help fast. The HVAC technician who arrives to restore your comfort is a true lifesaver. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) jobs are in extremely high demand right now. This field isn’t just about repairing equipment. HVAC technicians are urgently needed across sales, production, administrative support, and engineering—offering crucial and immediate opportunities for workers with a range of skills. 

There is a serious shortage of workers, given the essential role of air conditioners, furnaces, and other HVAC systems. Last year, there were over 40,000 HVAC job openings reported. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of HVAC jobs is expected to increase by 8% from 2024 to 2034. In contrast to the oil and gas industry, where employment opportunities are often region-specific, HVAC positions are available nationwide. Additionally, these jobs are neither outsourceable nor replaceable by AI, unlike some other skilled occupations. 

What’s behind this shortage? 

Between the decline in students not enrolled in HVAC trade schools and their teachers retiring, there simply aren’t enough workers to meet this demand. “HVACR programs in the United States and Canada are seeking new students, from recent high school graduates to veteran or second-career adults,” said Kari M. Arfstrom, Executive Director of the WDF, in an interview with ACHRNEWS. “With HVACR certifications or an associate’s degree, new employees can be assured of a solid middle-class job that cannot be off-shored, is high-tech, and offers better-than-average pay.” Refrigeration, broadcast, and neurodiagnostic technicians are among the top HVACR jobs that are the hardest to fill. 

What does that mean for workers looking to move away from the weekly job assignments and into a more stable career? It means that there’s no better time to get into a career in HVAC. 

Ready to take the first step? Reach out to your local branch to learn more about job openings in your area.