Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Mechanics
On this page
Job description
These individuals install and repair air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They also operate combined heating, ventilation, and refrigeration systems.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Hazardous chemical
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- Electricity
Main tasks
- Read and interpret plans, drawings, or other specifications.
- Measure and determine benchmarks for installation.
- Assemble, install, and start up refrigeration or air conditioning components and combined systems.
- Measure and cut pipes and connect them.
- Carry out leak tests.
- Recharge installations with a refrigerant.
- Perform routine maintenance and service.
- Repair and replace parts and components of complete systems.
- Install, maintain, and repair equipment in refrigerated trucks, as required.
- Estimate costs and provide quotations, as required.
Advancement and mobility
- Qualified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics obtain a Red Seal endorsement upon successful completion of the Interprovincial Examination.
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $22.00
- Median
- $35.60
- Maximum
- $48.37
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
6,000
All of Québec
na
Gender distribution
All of Québec
Not available.
- 1.3% Female
- 98.7% Male
Not available.
- 1.3% Female
- 98.7% Male
Job types
All of Québec
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
$72,000
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 2380% of jobs
-
NAICS 813% of jobs
-
NAICS 413% of jobs
-
NAICS 3332% of jobs
-
NAICS 912% of jobs
-
Others10% of jobs
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 2380% of jobs
-
NAICS 813% of jobs
-
NAICS 413% of jobs
-
NAICS 3332% of jobs
-
NAICS 912% of jobs
-
Others10% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in mécanique de machines fixes
Code : 5359
Placement rate: 89.3%
5.2% of graduates pursue further studies
DVS in stationary Engine Mechanics
Code : 5859
Placement rate: 76.7%
23.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Certificate of qualification.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Quality control analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment maintenance
- Installation
- Information processing
- Repair
- Monitoring operations
- Active listening
- Reading comprehension
- Operations and control
- Critical thought
- Active learning
- Oral expression
- Time management
- Equipment selection
- System analysis
- Coordination
- Result evaluation
- Judgment and decision-making
- Solving complex problems
Abilities
- Awareness of issues
- Digital dexterity
- Near vision
- Visualization
- Manual dexterity
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Physical flexibility in extension
- Hand-arm stability
- Oral comprehension
- Limb coordination
- Core strength
- Information organization
- Perception speed
- Speech recognition
- Selective attention
- Written comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Colour perception and distinction
- Control accuracy
- Information processing speed
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Written expression
- Static muscle power
- Processing flexibility
- Distance vision
Knowledge and attributes
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Critical thinking
- Focussed on results
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Knowledge of production and treatment
- Knowledge of mathematics
- Versatility
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Work in transportation and maintenance
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Official name of the NOC 72402
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
Job titles
- Refrigerationists
- Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (hvac) mechanic
- Central air conditioning mechanic
- Central air conditioner repairer
- Transport refrigeration technician
- Refrigeration mechanic apprentice
- Apprentice refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- Journeyman/woman refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- Central air conditioner installer
- Refrigeration system installer
- Installateurs/installatrices de climatisation centrale
- Refrigeration mechanic
- Central air conditioning servicer
- Heating and air conditioning mechanic
- Heating and cooling mechanic
- Commercial air conditioning mechanic
- Air conditioning and heating mechanic
- Commercial refrigeration mechanic
- Transport refrigeration mechanic
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
- Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic (non-construction)
- Central air conditioning repairer
- Refrigeration technician
- Hydronics technician
- Refrigeration and mechanical technician
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
Related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026
Page evaluation