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Trades/HVAC

HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation and service

$60k/yr median+8% growth (10-yr)40,100 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)License required

Wages & Job Outlook

$60k

Median wage

per year

$39k

Entry wage

per year

$91k

Top 10%

per year

40K

Annual openings

jobs per year

📈+8% projected job growth over 10 years — faster than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Environment

mixed

Overtime

seasonal

Physical demand

high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Moderate hazard

Recession-resistant · Classified as essential service

Overview

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. EPA 608 certification is federally required to handle refrigerants.

Day in the Life

Service calls dominate summers and winters — diagnosing a failed compressor, replacing a blower motor, or recharging refrigerant. New construction installs involve ductwork layout and equipment startup. Preventive maintenance contracts keep the schedule full year-round.

How to Get Started

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

6–24 month HVAC/R programs at vocational schools and community colleges

Duration: 6–24 monthsCost: Moderate tuition

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

SMACNA or UA apprenticeship programs combining classroom and field work

Duration: 4–5 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Military Training

military

Military HVAC/utilities MOS provides direct credit toward journeyman status

Duration: 2–4 yearsCost: No cost

Find local hvac training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Career Ladder

HVAC Helper

$35k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Assists with installs, carries equipment, runs ductwork

HVAC Apprentice

$46k/yr

1–4 yrs exp.

Working toward EPA 608 and state license under supervision

HVAC Technician

$62k/yr

4–10 yrs exp.

Licensed technician handling service and install independently

Senior HVAC Technician

$78k/yr

10+ yrs exp.

Handles complex commercial systems, mentors apprentices

HVAC Contractor

$100k/yr

8+ yrs exp.

Owns and operates HVAC service or installation company

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
CA	Yes	C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
TX	Yes	Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License (Class A or B)	TDLR (Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation)
FL	Yes	Certified/Registered Air-Conditioning Contractor (Class A or Class B)	Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
NY	No	–	–
IL	No	–	–
PA	No	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration — not a trade license	PA Office of Attorney General (HICPA)
OH	Yes	HVAC Contractor License (Commercial)	OCILB (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board), Dept. of Commerce
GA	Yes	Conditioned Air Contractor (Class I restricted or Class II unrestricted)	Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State)
NC	Yes	Heating Contractor License (Groups H-1/H-2/H-3, Class I or II)	NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
MI	Yes	Mechanical Contractor License (HVAC Equipment classification)	Michigan LARA / Bureau of Construction Codes
WA	Yes	Contractor Registration (specialty) + Electrical (06A/06B HVAC/Refrigeration specialty license)	Washington L&I (Dept. of Labor & Industries)
AZ	Yes	C-39 / R-39 / CR-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor	Arizona ROC (Registrar of Contractors)
VA	Yes	HVAC Contractor (Class A/B/C contractor license + HVAC specialty designation)	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
NJ	Yes	Master HVACR Contractor License	NJ Division of Consumer Affairs — State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors
TN	Yes	CMC-C Mechanical / HVAC-Refrigeration Contractor (or CMC full mechanical)	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman4 yrs

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$39k

Median$60k

Top 10%$91k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a hvac business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

7.4×–10.8×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

5.1×–5.7×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →