Trade Career Guide
How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in homes and commercial buildings.
Median salary
$59,810
per year · BLS May 2024
Typical range
$39,130–$91,020
~10th–90th percentile
Job outlook
+8%
2024–2034 · Much faster than average
Time to qualify
About 6 months to 2 years of training, plus EPA certification
Step-by-step: becoming an HVAC Technician
- 1
Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- 2
Complete an HVAC trade-school program or an apprenticeship.
- 3
Earn your EPA Section 608 certification to legally handle refrigerants.
- 4
Build hands-on experience through on-the-job training.
- 5
Pass any state or local HVAC licensing exam where it's required.
- 6
Consider NATE certification to raise your earning potential.
Typical entry path: Postsecondary nondegree award plus on-the-job training; EPA refrigerant certification required.
Ready to pass the EPA 608 & HVAC licensing exams?
The licensing exam is the gate to this career. Practice free on VoltExam with real exam-style questions and instant explanations — no signup to start.
Explore other trade careers
Salary and job-outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, SOC 49-9021; OEWS wages May 2024; Occupational Outlook Handbook projections 2024–2034). National medians; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. Verify current figures at bls.gov.