How to Become an HVAC Technician
Discover how to become an HVAC technician, what salary you might expect, and where the jobs are.
By Anne Fonda
What is an HVAC technician?
An HVAC technician is someone who has learned the basics of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance and repair, along with installation. They may work in residential HVAC or commercial HVAC.
What kind of education or training do you need to be an HVAC technician?
Depending on what HVAC technician training programs are available near you, you may take classes at a technical high school, community college, trade school, or HVAC school. You can also pursue one of the Trane HVAC training programs we list below. You do not need to go to college. In most cases, you must have a high school diploma or GED.
Training is a combination of classroom or online learning paired with training lab or field training to ensure you get hands-on experience. By the time you complete the program, you should have earned your Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Refrigerant and NATE “Ready to Work” certificates.
What are the continuing education requirements for HVAC professionals?
The continuing education requirements will vary based on your area of specialization and requirements in your state. In general, 4-8 hours of continuing education a year is a good rule of thumb. You want to stay up to date on the latest technologies and equipment.
Trade associations, as well as HVAC manufacturers like Trane, offer a wide variety of continuing education classes that can help you advance in your career.
What is the average HVAC technician salary?
Salaries can vary widely based on your location, how much training you have, what certificates or industry certifications you have, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2023 median pay across the nation was $57,300 per year/$27.55 per hour.
Entry-level pay will be less.
Are there a lot of HVAC technician jobs?
According to the BLS, the number of people employed in the field in 2023 was 441,200. The job outlook is good for the future as the field is growing at 9%, much faster than the average for other fields. About 42,000 job openings are expected each year over the next decade. Many of those will be due to people leaving the field or exiting the workforce to retire.
Industry reports show that HVAC companies are having a hard time filling residential and commercial positions. If you are interested in the trades as a career after high school or military service, a job in the HVAC industry might be a good fit.
If you hope to work as an HVAC technician, Trane has a couple of great programs for you to consider.
The Trane Commercial HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP) is a four-year HVAC technician training program for aspiring technicians that includes paid instruction time and on-the-job training.
Let's build a future together. What you can expect:
- Competitive Pay: Full-time wage while in the program. Highly competitive and comprehensive total compensation program. Opportunity for raises every six months. Overtime opportunities are also available.
- Full Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k with up to 6% matching, core company contribution of 2%, 9 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, 15 days of vacation time, and more!
- Career Advancement: Opportunities for career development and promotions as well as tuition coverage for initial industry certifications and education.
- Perks: Newer company vehicle, gas card, high-speed laptop, smartphone, tools provided, uniforms, PPE, and safety boot allowance.
Explore a world of opportunity as a Trane HVAC Technician. Enter the word Apprentice to see current openings.
The Trane Trade Warriors™ program
We understand that transitioning to civilian life and finding a rewarding career after military service can be a significant challenge for America’s service members. That’s why we created the Trade Warriors program - to help bridge the gap between your military experience and a fulfilling career in the HVAC industry.
The Army’s Career Skills Program (C.S.P.), in partnership with Trane and RightTek HVAC Training, LLC. provides quality residential HVAC training to soldiers within 6 months of leaving military service.
This 8-week boot camp-style program is designed to take a soldier without HVAC experience and produce an entry-level technician with installation and service experience. We currently have two locations – Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC, and Fort Cavazos in Killeen, TX.
What training includes:
- No cost to service members
- 300+ hours of technician training (service & maintenance, installation)
- Designed for students with little to no HVAC knowledge
- 25% classroom instruction/75% hands-on training in the Trane Learning Lab
Successful students will graduate from the program with their EPA (608) Refrigerant and NATE “Ready to Work” certifications
Graduates are placed with Trane dealers nationwide.
If you want to advance in your HVAC career and earn a higher salary, you’ll need on-the-job training as well as continued education. Getting NATE certification as a certified HVAC professional or other certification pathway is a first step.
You then need to complete continuing education courses to recertify. This helps ensure you are up to date with the latest technology and industry regulations.
If your state or municipality requires it, you will also need to keep up with HVAC licensing requirements.
For the homeowner
Homeowners can trust that NATE-certified technicians will be able to perform service and HVAC repair on existing systems properly and install new HVAC systems as well.
Work with the HVAC experts
Whether you’re just entering the field of HVAC or you’re a seasoned pro, working with a Trane dealer means you’re installing some of the most energy-efficient and reliable HVAC equipment available today. Consider getting your start with one of our programs.
If you’re a homeowner, know that Trane dealers have access to a dedicated training team to help ensure you get only the best heating and air conditioning service and installation.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Beth Allen, Strategic Initiative Enablement Manager, and Marlon Jones, Technician Experience Leader, NA CHVAC
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