HVAC Technician Apprenticeship in Tennessee

Wages, programs & career outlook

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.

TN Median Salary
$51,480/yr
-14% vs. national
National Median
$59,810/yr
TN Employment
10,510
HVAC Technicians employed
TN Sponsors
12
Registered programs
Training Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
8.1%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
40,100
Nationally, per yr

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship in Tennessee: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered hvac technician apprenticeship in Tennessee combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 4.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

Tennessee pay vs. national

Median hvac technician wages in Tennessee are $51,480/year, -14% below the national median of $59,810. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Tennessee has 12 registered apprenticeship sponsors for hvac technician listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.1% job growth for hvac technicians nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 40,100 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — Tennessee-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Tennessee Wage Spread

Annual wages for HVAC Technicians in Tennessee across all experience levels.

10th pct
$38,100
Median
$51,480
90th pct
$76,600
Middle 50% of workers earn $45,220$63,430

Current HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Openings in Tennessee

No hvac technician apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Tennessee. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Sponsors in Tennessee

12 hvac technician-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Tennessee. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current hvac technician apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
Cook's Mechanical Services, Inc. Blountville
CARTER HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Chattanooga Hamilton County
Derryberry's Heat & Air Gallatin Sumner County
IVEY MECHANICAL COMPANY Gallatin Sumner County
Matlock Mechanical, LLC. Jackson Madison County
Comfort Systems USA, Shoffner, Inc. Knoxville Knox County
LEWIS MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS Memphis Shelby County
Mechanical Systems Company Memphis Shelby County
Temperature Control Institute Memphis Shelby County
A-ACTION AIR HVAC INC Murfreesboro Davidson County
Interstate AC Nashville, Tn
Rock Mechanical Services LLC Springfield Robertson County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current HVAC Technician openings

Filter by occupation code 49-9021 and state TN for the most relevant results.

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship in Tennessee

Tennessee has 12 registered sponsors our directory identifies as HVAC Technician-adjacent — a functional apprenticeship pipeline concentrated in metro areas. Union locals and joint apprenticeship committees account for most placements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do HVAC Technicians make in Tennessee?
The BLS reports a median wage of $51,480/yr for HVAC Technicians in Tennessee (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How many years does it take to become an HVAC Technician through apprenticeship?
The standard HVAC Technician apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
What's the difference between an HVAC Technician apprenticeship and trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many HVAC Technicians combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
Where can I apply for an HVAC Technician apprenticeship in Tennessee?
Contact one of the 12 HVAC Technician-adjacent registered sponsors in Tennessee (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do HVAC Technician apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Tennessee, a first-year HVAC Technician apprentice might earn around $25,740/yr (roughly half the $51,480 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 4-year program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. HVAC Technicians also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) programs in Tennessee →
Or see all 244 programs nationwide.

HVAC Technician in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Tennessee

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.