How to Become a HVAC Technician
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics install and service the systems that heat and cool buildings and keep food cold. Median pay is $61,010 per year ($29.33/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.
| 2025 median pay | $61,010/year ($29.33/hour) |
|---|---|
| Entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training path | Trade school certificate plus on-the-job training |
| Job outlook | 8% growth 2025-35, faster than average |
| Jobs in the US | 420,000+ |
The path in, step by step
- Complete a 6-to-24-month HVAC certificate or associate program at a trade school or community college; EPA Section 608 certification for handling refrigerants is effectively mandatory.
- Start as an installer helper or maintenance tech; many employers hire certificate graduates directly.
- Build 2 to 4 years of field experience toward NATE certification, which raises pay and employability.
- Some states require a separate HVAC contractor license to run your own shop.
How long it takes
6 months of school plus 2 to 4 years of field experience to full technician status.
What it costs
Certificate programs typically cost $5,000 to $20,000; EPA 608 testing is inexpensive.
What working tradespeople say
- Summer is hiring season; shops are desperate for helpers when AC calls spike.
- Learn controls and building automation; it is the highest-paid slice of the trade.
- Refrigeration (supermarkets, cold storage) pays well and has on-call premiums.
- Buy quality hand tools once; cheap gauges and meters cost more in callbacks.
Run your own numbers
See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our salary to hourly calculator, and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the compound interest calculator (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our resume templates and cover letter examples are free.
More trade guides
- Electrician$63,190/yr median
- Plumber$63,800/yr median
- Welder$53,750/yr median
- Carpenter$60,580/yr median
- Auto Mechanic$50,620/yr median
- Ironworker$62,780/yr median
- Solar Installer$53,140/yr median
- Truck Driver (CDL)$58,640/yr median
- Boilermaker$76,410/yr median
- Elevator Installer$109,910/yr median
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800/yr median
Frequently asked questions
How much does hvac technician pay?
The national median is $61,010 per year ($29.33/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.
Do I need college to get into the trades?
No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.
How long does it take to become a hvac technician?
6 months of school plus 2 to 4 years of field experience to full technician status.
Union or non-union: which is better?
Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.
Will AI replace trade jobs?
Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.