How long does it take to become an HVAC technician?

Most HVAC technicians complete a 6-month to 2-year trade school program, or enter a 3-5 year apprenticeship through a union or employer. Trade school gets you into the field faster, while an apprenticeship typically pays you while you train. Either way, you can be a working technician in under two years.

What certifications do HVAC technicians need?

The EPA 608 certification is legally required to handle refrigerants and is the one credential every HVAC tech must have. Beyond that, NATE certification is the most respected industry credential and leads to higher pay. Most states also require a state HVAC license to work independently or pull permits.

How much do HVAC technicians make?

According to 2026 BLS data, the national median for HVAC technicians is around $57,000 per year. Entry-level helpers typically start around $35,000–$42,000, while experienced journeyman techs earn $55,000–$75,000. Senior technicians and specialists in controls or commercial refrigeration routinely clear $80,000–$95,000.

Can HVAC technicians make over $100K?

Yes — and more commonly than people think. Senior technicians in high-demand metros, controls specialists, master-licensed technicians who run their own routes, and service managers regularly earn $100,000 or more. Business owners with established residential or light-commercial service companies often exceed $150,000 annually once operations are profitable.

What is the career path for HVAC?

The typical HVAC career ladder runs: Helper/Apprentice → Installation Technician → Service Technician → Lead Technician → Service Manager (or Specialist Track) → Business Owner. Most technicians move from apprentice to journeyman in 3–5 years. Branching into controls, commercial refrigeration, or building automation can significantly accelerate both earnings and career options.

HVAC Career Path

The HVAC trade offers one of the clearest advancement tracks in the skilled trades — but knowing exactly what certifications, experience, and moves it takes to get from helper to lead tech (or business owner) can be hard to piece together. This tool lays out every rung of the ladder with real salary data so you can plan your next step with confidence.

HVAC Career Salary Overview

Salary ranges below reflect 2026 BLS data combined with compensation data from active listings on HVACJobs.IO. Metro-area pay can run 15–30% higher than national figures — use the visualizer above to filter by location.

Career Level	Typical Experience	Annual Salary Range	Key Requirements
Helper / Apprentice	0–2 years	$35,000 – $46,000	EPA 608, on-the-job training
Installation Technician	1–3 years	$42,000 – $58,000	EPA 608 Universal required
Service Technician	3–6 years	$52,000 – $72,000	State license, NATE preferred
Lead Technician	5–10 years	$65,000 – $88,000	NATE certified, strong diagnostic skills
Controls / BAS Specialist	4–8 years	$72,000 – $105,000	BACnet, DDC, Niagara Framework
Service Manager	8–12 years	$80,000 – $110,000	Management experience, business acumen
Business Owner	10+ years	$90,000 – $200,000+	Contractor license, business license

Certifications That Boost Your Pay

Not all certifications are created equal. Some are table-stakes — you cannot legally work without them. Others are differentiators that set your resume apart and put you in a different pay bracket. Here are the five credentials with the strongest return on investment for working HVAC technicians.

EPA 608 Universal: Required for all refrigerant handling — without it you cannot legally work on most systems
NATE Certification: Industry gold standard; techs with NATE typically earn $4,000–$8,000 more per year than non-certified peers
State HVAC Contractor License: Required to pull permits and run your own jobs; the key credential for moving into management or ownership
OSHA 10 or 30: Required by many commercial contractors and government-adjacent jobs; demonstrates safety competency
Niagara / Tridium Certification: Highest-paying specialty in the trade; BAS/controls techs with Niagara N4 often command $90K–$120K+

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an HVAC technician?: Most HVAC technicians complete a 6-month to 2-year trade school program, or enter a 3–5 year apprenticeship through a union or employer. Trade school gets you into the field faster, while an apprenticeship typically pays you while you train. Either way, you can be a working technician in under two years.
What certifications do HVAC technicians need?: The EPA 608 certification is legally required to handle refrigerants — it's the one credential every HVAC tech must have. Beyond that, NATE certification is the most respected industry credential and consistently leads to higher pay. Most states also require a state HVAC license to work independently or pull permits.
How much do HVAC technicians make?: According to 2026 BLS data, the national median for HVAC technicians is around $57,000 per year. Entry-level helpers typically start around $35,000–$42,000, while experienced journeyman techs earn $55,000–$75,000. Senior technicians and specialists in controls or commercial refrigeration routinely clear $80,000–$95,000.
Can HVAC technicians make over $100K?: Yes — and more commonly than people think. Senior technicians in high-demand metros, controls specialists, master-licensed technicians who run their own routes, and service managers regularly earn $100,000 or more. Business owners with established residential or light-commercial service companies often exceed $150,000 annually once operations are profitable.
What is the career path for HVAC?: The typical HVAC career ladder runs: Helper/Apprentice → Installation Technician → Service Technician → Lead Technician → Service Manager (or Specialist Track) → Business Owner. Most technicians move from apprentice to journeyman in 3–5 years. Branching into controls, commercial refrigeration, or building automation can significantly accelerate both earnings and career options.

Keep Exploring

Tools and resources to help you take the next step in your HVAC career.

HVAC Career Path

Industry employment

~425,200

BLS SOC 49-9021, 2024

National median wage

$59,810/yr

$28.75/hr · BLS May 2024

Job growth (2024–2034)

+8%

~40,100 openings/yr projected

Select any role to see salary details, required certifications, and typical next steps.

Core Path

HVAC Helper / Pre-Apprentice

$33,000–$47,000

0–1 yrs exp

HVAC Apprentice

$35,000–$60,000

1–4 yrs exp

Journeyman / Residential Service Tech

$49,000–$78,000

4–7 yrs exp

Commercial HVAC Technician

$55,000–$90,000

5–10 yrs exp

Senior Technician / Lead Tech

$67,000–$110,000

7–12 yrs exp

Service Manager / Field Supervisor

$72,800–$125,000

9–15 yrs exp

Business Owner / Contractor

$35,000–$598,000

10–20+ yrs exp

Specializations

Controls / BMS Specialist

$60,000–$110,000

5–10 yrs exp

Refrigeration Specialist

$55,000–$120,000

5–10 yrs exp

Management Tracks

Sales Engineer

$65,000–$120,000

5–12 yrs exp

Project Manager

$80,000–$174,720

8–15 yrs exp

Core Path

Specializations

Management Tracks

Certifications with the biggest pay impact

Niagara / Tridium Certification+$10,000–$20,000/yr

State Journeyman License+$8,000–$15,000/yr

RETA CIRO / CRSO+$8,000–$15,000/yr

Multiple OEM Certs (stacked)+$10,000–$15,000/yr

Estimated annual pay increase. Actual impact varies by market, employer, and specialty. Source: BLS OEWS 2024 and industry salary surveys.

Salary ranges are US national estimates. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2024 (SOC 49-9021 and 49-1011), Sera.tech 2025 salary data, and industry surveys. Actual pay varies by market, employer, union status, and individual certifications. Advancement timelines are typical — not guaranteed.

HVAC Career Salary Overview

Career Level	Typical Experience	Annual Salary Range	Key Requirements
Helper / Apprentice	0–2 years	$35,000 – $46,000	EPA 608, on-the-job training
Installation Technician	1–3 years	$42,000 – $58,000	EPA 608 Universal required
Service Technician	3–6 years	$52,000 – $72,000	State license, NATE preferred
Lead Technician	5–10 years	$65,000 – $88,000	NATE certified, strong diagnostic skills
Controls / BAS Specialist	4–8 years	$72,000 – $105,000	BACnet, DDC, Niagara Framework
Service Manager	8–12 years	$80,000 – $110,000	Management experience, business acumen
Business Owner	10+ years	$90,000 – $200,000+	Contractor license, business license

Certifications That Boost Your Pay

EPA 608 Universal: Required for all refrigerant handling — without it you cannot legally work on most systems
NATE Certification: Industry gold standard; techs with NATE typically earn $4,000–$8,000 more per year than non-certified peers
State HVAC Contractor License: Required to pull permits and run your own jobs; the key credential for moving into management or ownership
OSHA 10 or 30: Required by many commercial contractors and government-adjacent jobs; demonstrates safety competency
Niagara / Tridium Certification: Highest-paying specialty in the trade; BAS/controls techs with Niagara N4 often command $90K–$120K+

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an HVAC technician?: Most HVAC technicians complete a 6-month to 2-year trade school program, or enter a 3–5 year apprenticeship through a union or employer. Trade school gets you into the field faster, while an apprenticeship typically pays you while you train. Either way, you can be a working technician in under two years.
What certifications do HVAC technicians need?: The EPA 608 certification is legally required to handle refrigerants — it's the one credential every HVAC tech must have. Beyond that, NATE certification is the most respected industry credential and consistently leads to higher pay. Most states also require a state HVAC license to work independently or pull permits.
How much do HVAC technicians make?: According to 2026 BLS data, the national median for HVAC technicians is around $57,000 per year. Entry-level helpers typically start around $35,000–$42,000, while experienced journeyman techs earn $55,000–$75,000. Senior technicians and specialists in controls or commercial refrigeration routinely clear $80,000–$95,000.
Can HVAC technicians make over $100K?: Yes — and more commonly than people think. Senior technicians in high-demand metros, controls specialists, master-licensed technicians who run their own routes, and service managers regularly earn $100,000 or more. Business owners with established residential or light-commercial service companies often exceed $150,000 annually once operations are profitable.
What is the career path for HVAC?: The typical HVAC career ladder runs: Helper/Apprentice → Installation Technician → Service Technician → Lead Technician → Service Manager (or Specialist Track) → Business Owner. Most technicians move from apprentice to journeyman in 3–5 years. Branching into controls, commercial refrigeration, or building automation can significantly accelerate both earnings and career options.