HVAC Technician Apprenticeship
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems that keep buildings comfortable and commercial coolers running. The trade blends mechanical work, electrical diagnostics, and refrigerant handling.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for HVAC Technicians across all experience levels, nationwide.
HVAC Technician Wages by State
Median annual wage for HVAC Technicians by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $83,660 | 790 |
| District of Columbia | $83,390 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 | 7,960 |
| Connecticut | $73,910 | 4,440 |
| Minnesota | $73,390 | 5,190 |
| Illinois | $71,620 | 8,510 |
| New Jersey | $69,800 | 10,680 |
| Washington | $67,630 | 7,090 |
| North Dakota | $66,770 | 1,100 |
| New York | $66,670 | 22,710 |
| California | $65,290 | 34,020 |
| Maryland | $65,000 | 6,380 |
| New Hampshire | $64,410 | 2,120 |
| Hawaii | $63,780 | 1,110 |
| Rhode Island | $63,580 | 1,320 |
| Colorado | $63,420 | 8,870 |
| Oregon | $62,740 | 3,690 |
| Maine | $62,130 | 2,110 |
| Wisconsin | $62,030 | 5,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,120 | 16,930 |
| Virginia | $60,630 | 13,640 |
| Ohio | $60,490 | 13,570 |
| Missouri | $60,330 | 8,360 |
| Indiana | $60,310 | 7,620 |
| Vermont | $60,170 | 1,050 |
| Michigan | $60,090 | 13,720 |
| Delaware | $59,940 | 1,790 |
| Nebraska | $59,690 | 3,080 |
| Iowa | $59,490 | 3,990 |
| South Dakota | $59,460 | 1,130 |
| Nevada | $59,230 | 4,240 |
| Kentucky | $58,880 | 6,230 |
| Montana | $58,600 | 1,050 |
| Kansas | $56,750 | 4,100 |
| Arizona | $56,580 | 10,850 |
| Utah | $56,200 | 5,370 |
| South Carolina | $55,260 | 6,370 |
| Georgia | $55,020 | 12,210 |
| New Mexico | $55,020 | 1,820 |
| Texas | $54,050 | 32,070 |
| Louisiana | $53,510 | 5,040 |
| Idaho | $52,730 | 3,570 |
| North Carolina | $51,940 | 13,750 |
| Tennessee | $51,480 | 10,510 |
| Oklahoma | $50,920 | 4,820 |
| Wyoming | $50,920 | 570 |
| Florida | $50,580 | 38,290 |
| Alabama | $49,290 | 7,330 |
| Mississippi | $47,270 | 2,960 |
| Arkansas | $47,240 | 4,890 |
| West Virginia | $46,040 | 1,450 |
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Overview
The HVAC Technician trade offers a median salary of $59,810/yr nationally, accessible through a 4-year apprenticeship that pays you while you train. It's one of the clearest earn-while-you-learn propositions in the American labor market.
Looking ahead, HVAC Technician employment is expected to grow 8.1% by 2034. About 40,100 openings per year — driven heavily by retirements in an aging workforce — keep demand for apprentices high.
Nationally, wages span from $39,130/yr at the 10th percentile to $91,020/yr at the 90th. Geography drives much of this spread — the same trade can pay 50%+ more in high-cost states compared to rural markets.
Prefer Trade School Instead?
Apprenticeships pay from day one, but some people prefer the classroom-first path. HVAC Technicians also come up through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost, and a credential before entering the workforce.
Or jump straight to a specific school: