What does an HVAC technician do?
- Install furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners and ventilation systems.
- Maintain and tune equipment so it runs safely and efficiently.
- Diagnose electrical and mechanical problems, and repair them.
- Handle refrigerants safely and follow environmental rules.
Where do HVAC technicians work?
- Homes
- Offices, schools and hospitals
- Supermarkets, restaurants and other places that rely on refrigeration
- Rooftops, attics, basements and mechanical rooms
Is a career as an HVAC technician right for you?
It could be a good fit if:
- You like figuring out why a machine isn't working.
- You're comfortable with both electrical and mechanical work.
- You want a trade that's busy through summer and winter.
How to become an HVAC technician
Many HVAC technicians start with a trade school or community college program lasting 6 months to 2 years; others learn through an apprenticeship of 3 to 5 years. Anyone who handles refrigerants needs EPA Section 608 certification. Many states also license HVAC work, and each sets its own rules.
- 1
Learner
Learning the basics in high school, a trade school, a training program or a pre-apprenticeship.
- 2
Apprentice
Working under a licensed professional while taking classroom training. Apprentices are paid while they learn.
- 3
Journeyman (journey level)
Licensed to do the work on your own, usually after years of apprenticeship hours and passing an exam.
- 4
Master
The top license in most trades. Masters can pull permits, supervise others and often run their own business.
Each state sets its own licensing rules, hours and exams. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
How much do HVAC technicians make?
The median pay for HVAC technicians in the U.S. was $61,010 a year in May 2025, and most earned between $40,050 to $95,210 a year. Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage: pay usually rises with experience, licenses and specialty.
HVAC technician pay by state
| State | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| United States | $61,010 |
| Alabama | $48,370 |
| Alaska | $77,430 |
| Arizona | $59,400 |
| Arkansas | $48,110 |
| California | $72,560 |
| Colorado | $65,200 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 |
| Delaware | $62,320 |
| District of Columbia | $84,390 |
| Florida | $56,670 |
| Georgia | $56,390 |
| Hawaii | $65,450 |
| Idaho | $56,240 |
| Illinois | $77,410 |
| Indiana | $60,430 |
| Iowa | $60,680 |
| Kansas | $60,460 |
| Kentucky | $58,620 |
| Louisiana | $58,650 |
| Maine | $63,170 |
| Maryland | $70,020 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 |
| Michigan | $60,850 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 |
| Mississippi | $48,680 |
| Missouri | $59,950 |
| Montana | $60,850 |
| Nebraska | $59,850 |
| Nevada | $60,510 |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 |
| New Mexico | $50,270 |
| New York | $74,430 |
| North Carolina | $57,260 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 |
| Ohio | $62,510 |
| Oklahoma | $57,560 |
| Oregon | $62,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,400 |
| Rhode Island | $67,370 |
| South Carolina | $56,610 |
| South Dakota | $61,390 |
| Tennessee | $55,490 |
| Texas | $57,760 |
| Utah | $58,730 |
| Vermont | $62,150 |
| Virginia | $59,730 |
| Washington | $75,660 |
| West Virginia | $48,850 |
| Wisconsin | $61,710 |
| Wyoming | $54,700 |
Job outlook for HVAC technicians
U.S. employment of HVAC technicians is projected to change by +11% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 40,600 openings each year on average. There were 440,900 HVAC technician jobs in the U.S. in 2025.
Where can a career as an HVAC technician lead?
A trade isn't a job, it's a career with branches. Here's where HVAC technicians commonly go next.
Specialties
- InstallationConcentrating on installing heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
- Service and repairConcentrating on repairing and maintaining systems. Technicians who work on residential systems may sell service contracts for periodic maintenance.
- Commercial refrigerationWorking on refrigeration systems in places such as grocery stores, hotels and restaurants.
- Radiant heating, testing and balancingSpecializing in particular systems, such as radiant heating, or in testing and balancing.
Leadership and other roles
- EstimatorWorking out the time, money, materials and labor a job needs. Workers with several years of construction experience sometimes qualify without a degree.
- Mechanical inspectorExamining heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and related equipment for proper installation and function. Employers may prefer applicants with experience in a construction trade.
- Project managerPlanning, coordinating, budgeting and supervising construction projects from start to finish. Firms sometimes hire managers with many years of experience in a construction trade.
Owning a business
- Contractor or business ownerRunning your own HVAC business. BLS counts 6% of HVACR technicians as self-employed. The licenses needed are set by each state; see your state guide.
Things to know
- Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage. Pay rises with experience and each license you earn.
- HVAC isn't always one license. Some states license refrigeration, gas and sheet metal work separately.
- The work involves lifting, heights and hot or cramped spaces, so safety training matters. Summer and winter are the busiest seasons.
HVAC technician FAQ
What does an HVAC technician do?
HVAC technicians install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems in homes, businesses and industrial sites. Typical work includes: install furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners and ventilation systems; maintain and tune equipment so it runs safely and efficiently; diagnose electrical and mechanical problems, and repair them; handle refrigerants safely and follow environmental rules.
How do you become an HVAC technician?
Many HVAC technicians start with a trade school or community college program lasting 6 months to 2 years; others learn through an apprenticeship of 3 to 5 years. Anyone who handles refrigerants needs EPA Section 608 certification. Many states also license HVAC work, and each sets its own rules.
How much do HVAC technicians make?
The median pay for HVAC technicians in the U.S. was $61,010 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)). Most earn between $40,050 to $95,210 a year. Pay varies by state, experience and specialty.
Are HVAC technicians in demand?
U.S. employment of HVAC technicians is projected to change by +11% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 40,600 job openings each year on average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Which states pay HVAC technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest-paying states for HVAC technicians were District of Columbia ($84,390), Alaska ($77,430), Illinois ($77,410), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: HVACR Mechanics and Installers
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Section 608 Technician Certification
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Cost Estimators
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction and Building Inspectors
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction Managers
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: HVACR Mechanics and Installers, Similar Occupations
Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wayforge is a career-planning tool, not an official licensing source; always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.