NOC 72402: Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
What heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics do
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain, repair and overhaul residential central air conditioning systems, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and combined heating, ventilation and cooling systems. They are employed by heating, refrigeration and air conditioning installation contractors, various industrial settings, food wholesalers, engineering firms and retail and servicing establishments. Transport refrigeration mechanics are included in this unit group. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings or other specifications
- Measure and lay out reference points for installation
- Assemble and install refrigeration or air conditioning components such as motors, controls, gauges, valves, circulating pumps, condensers, humidifiers, evaporators and compressors using hand and power tools
- Measure and cut piping, and connect piping using welding and brazing equipment
- Install, troubleshoot and overhaul entire heating, ventilation, air handling, refrigeration and air conditioning systems
- Start up system and test for leaks using testing devices
- Recharge system with refrigerant, check and test regulators, calibrate system and perform routine maintenance or servicing
- Repair and replace parts and components for entire refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation or heat pump systems
- May install, maintain and repair equipment in refrigerated trucks used to transport food or medical supplies
- May prepare work estimates for clients.
Job titles under NOC 72402
26 job titles are classified here, including central air conditioning mechanic, commercial air conditioning mechanic, heating and cooling mechanic.
- air conditioning and heating mechanic
- air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
- apprentice refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- central air conditioner installer
- central air conditioner repairer
- central air conditioning installer
- central air conditioning mechanic
- central air conditioning repairer
- central air conditioning servicer
- commercial air conditioning mechanic
- commercial refrigeration mechanic
- heating and air conditioning mechanic
- heating and cooling mechanic
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic
- hydronics technician
- journeyman/woman refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic (non-construction)
- refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprentice
- refrigeration and mechanical technician
- refrigeration mechanic
- refrigeration mechanic apprentice
- refrigeration system installer
- refrigeration technician
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience and industry courses in refrigeration and air conditioning repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Trade certification for transport refrigeration mechanics is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick and Alberta.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $22.00/hr | $37.50/hr | $56.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $21.00/hr | $37.00/hr | $58.00/hr |
Montréal QC | $21.95/hr | $32.00/hr | $46.08/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $23.50/hr | $42.00/hr | $62.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $25.00/hr | $38.00/hr | $52.00/hr |
Edmonton AB | $26.51/hr | $38.78/hr | $52.57/hr |
Ottawa ON | $19.50/hr | $40.00/hr | $58.00/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $24.00/hr | $36.50/hr | $45.00/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $22.40/hr | $38.00/hr | $46.08/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $19.00/hr | $37.50/hr | $59.00/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $22.00/hr | $39.00/hr | $59.01/hr |
London ON | $23.82/hr | $34.16/hr | $47.00/hr |
Halifax NS | $21.96/hr | $30.80/hr | $51.90/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $25.39/hr | $39.14/hr | $53.97/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $28.43/hr | $41.64/hr | $53.70/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $16.35/hr | $39.00/hr | $43.03/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00/hr | $36.00/hr | $46.00/hr |
Nova Scotia | $20.70/hr | $30.84/hr | $53.85/hr |
New Brunswick | $20.50/hr | $29.76/hr | $45.63/hr |
Quebec | $22.40/hr | $38.00/hr | $46.08/hr |
Ontario | $21.00/hr | $37.00/hr | $58.00/hr |
Manitoba | $18.00/hr | $36.07/hr | $45.00/hr |
Saskatchewan | $28.50/hr | $40.00/hr | $59.00/hr |
Alberta | $25.00/hr | $40.00/hr | $54.00/hr |
British Columbia | $24.23/hr | $40.00/hr | $62.00/hr |
Using NOC 72402 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 26 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic foreman/woman (NOC 72020)
- Domestic refrigerator repairer (NOC 72421)
- Domestic window air conditioner repairer (NOC 72421)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics?
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics are NOC 2021 unit group 72402. Example job titles in this group include central air conditioning mechanic, commercial air conditioning mechanic, heating and cooling mechanic, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic.
What TEER is NOC 72402?
NOC 72402 is TEER 2 (College diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years)). Usually requires a 2–3 year college program or a 2–5 year apprenticeship, or the occupation carries supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $37.50/hr, about $73,000 a year full-time, with a range of $22.00/hr to $56.00/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.