ShareUnited States: the HVACR workforce on the rise in 2023
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of technicians employed in the heating and refrigeration sector in the US rose by 6% between 2022 and 2023.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 441,200 mechanics and installers were employed in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration sector in the US in 2023.[1]
Compared to 2022, when the workforce stood at 415,800, the number of jobs for technicians and installers has increased by about 6%.
For the period 2023-2033, the expected growth rate for this category of jobs is 9% (+40,100) which is double the average for all occupations (which is 4%). The construction of commercial and residential buildings 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 HVACR systems represent more than half of all jobs in the sector [2]. Nevertheless, HVACR jobs exist across a range of occupation types, supporting 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 291,900 mechanical engineers employed in the US in 2023 (+2% since 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 35,500 stationary engineers and boiler operators in 2023 (+6% since 2022) [4].
Did you know? The IIR has a working group dedicated to promoting careers in refrigeration to younger generations, particularly women.
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 September 6, 2024).
[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 September 6, 2024)
[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 September 6, 2024).