HVAC technician
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves. Federal job definition
How people get into it
Some technicians train through an apprenticeship program, which usually lasts several years.
Apprenticeships include paid on-the-job training, as well as some technical instruction, each year.
Over the course of the apprenticeship, technicians learn about topics such as safety practices, blueprint reading, and heating and cooling systems.
- Typical education to start
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Typical training on the job
- Long-term on-the-job training
Registered apprenticeships are run by employers, unions and industry groups. To find openings near you, search the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder, or contact your state's apprenticeship office.
What it pays
Yearly pay for all workers in this job nationally, including experienced ones. Apprentices usually start lower and get raises as they advance.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025Median pay by state (51 states)
| State | Median pay | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,370 | 8,260 |
| Alaska | $77,430 | 610 |
| Arizona | $59,400 | 10,860 |
| Arkansas | $48,110 | 4,960 |
| California | $72,560 | 35,130 |
| Colorado | $65,200 | 8,940 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 | 3,800 |
| Delaware | $62,320 | 1,730 |
| District of Columbia | $84,390 | 400 |
| Florida | $56,670 | 39,160 |
| Georgia | $56,390 | 12,290 |
| Hawaii | $65,450 | 1,300 |
| Idaho | $56,240 | 4,550 |
| Illinois | $77,410 | 9,740 |
| Indiana | $60,430 | 8,530 |
| Iowa | $60,680 | 3,840 |
| Kansas | $60,460 | 3,770 |
| Kentucky | $58,620 | 5,100 |
| Louisiana | $58,650 | 5,380 |
| Maine | $63,170 | 2,250 |
| Maryland | $70,020 | 8,560 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 | 8,200 |
| Michigan | $60,850 | 12,590 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 | 4,200 |
| Mississippi | $48,680 | 2,700 |
| Missouri | $59,950 | 7,220 |
| Montana | $60,850 | 1,230 |
| Nebraska | $59,850 | 3,020 |
| Nevada | $60,510 | 4,170 |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 | 2,560 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 | 10,330 |
| New Mexico | $50,270 | 1,950 |
| New York | $74,430 | 24,430 |
| North Carolina | $57,260 | 15,230 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 | 970 |
| Ohio | $62,510 | 14,150 |
| Oklahoma | $57,560 | 5,650 |
| Oregon | $62,940 | 3,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,400 | 15,880 |
| Rhode Island | $67,370 | 1,450 |
| South Carolina | $56,610 | 6,920 |
| South Dakota | $61,390 | 1,610 |
| Tennessee | $55,490 | 9,740 |
| Texas | $57,760 | 34,730 |
| Utah | $58,730 | 5,580 |
| Vermont | $62,150 | 970 |
| Virginia | $59,730 | 14,690 |
| Washington | $75,660 | 7,370 |
| West Virginia | $48,850 | 1,690 |
| Wisconsin | $61,710 | 6,630 |
| Wyoming | $54,700 | 690 |
Job outlook
- People in this job
- 440,900
- Openings each year
- 40,600projected average, 2025–35, including people retiring or changing jobs
- Change in jobs
- +10.9%expected to grow 10.9%, 2025–35
Where these numbers come from
Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' wage survey (May 2025). Jobs, openings, growth, education and training come from BLS Employment Projections (2025–35). The description of the job is the federal Standard Occupational Classification definition, and the quote is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. For how many apprentices there are in each state, see the Department of Labor's apprentices by state dashboard. Updated November 5, 2026.