ShareThe HVACR workforce in the United States in 2022
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of technicians employed in the heating and refrigeration sector in the US rose between 2021 and 2022.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 415,800 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were employed in the US in 2022.[1]
Compared to 2021, when the workforce stood at 394,100, the number of jobs for technicians and installers has increased by around 5%.
For the period 2022-2032, the expected growth rate for this category of jobs is 6% (+23,000) which is double the average for all occupations. Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive employment growth. Furthermore, the growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems should also increase the demand for qualified heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians.
Occupations related to the installation, maintenance and repair of HVAC and refrigeration systems represent more than half of the jobs in the sector.[2] Nevertheless, HVACR jobs exist across a range of occupation types, including architecture and engineering, sales, production, office and administrative support, and transportation and material moving.[2] These roles support key functions at HVACR manufacturers, wholesale distributors, contractors, engineering firms, and other firms across the HVACR supply chain.
For instance, mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 286,100 mechanical engineers employed in the US in 2022.[3] Stationary engineers and boiler operators control and maintain boilers, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, turbines, generators, pumps, and compressors. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US employed 33,500 stationary engineers and boiler operators in 2022.[4]
Sources
[1] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm (visited November 26, 2023).
[2] HVACR Workforce Development Foundation. The HVAR workforce: demand heats up as supply melts away. September 2015 https://iifiir.org/en/fridoc/the-hvacr-workforce-demand-heats-up-as-supply-melts-away-a-146722
[3] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mechanical Engineers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm (visited November 26, 2023)
[4] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators.htm (visited November 26, 2023).