How to become a hvac technician
Refrigeration, comfort cooling, and building controls.
The roadmap
- 1
Graduate HS or GED
Plus a year of HVAC trade school is a strong leg up for HVAC.
- 2
EPA 608 certification
Federal requirement to handle refrigerants. Type II (high-pressure) is the most common.
- 3
Apply to apprenticeship
SMART (sheet metal) or UA (HVACR) on the union side, or any reputable mechanical contractor.
- 4
Apprentice (3–5 years)
OJT on installs and service plus classroom on the refrigeration cycle, electrical, and controls.
- 5
NATE certification
Industry-standard tech certification. Boosts pay and hireability.
- 6
Journeyman / Service tech
Diagnose and repair systems independently. Take call rotation for premium pay.
- 7
Master mechanical / Contractor
State license needed to pull your own mechanical permits.
Salary progression
| Level | Average pay |
|---|---|
| Apprentice Year 1 | $16–22/hr |
| Apprentice Year 4 | $28–38/hr |
| Journeyman | $38–60/hr |
| Senior Service Tech | $55–80/hr (+OT) |
| Master / Contractor | $85k–160k+/yr |
Ranges vary by region, union vs non-union, and overtime. Union pay packages include benefits worth 30–50% on top.
Find an apprenticeship
We send you to the federal apprenticeship.gov database — official, free, and updated weekly.
Tools you'll need on day one
Fieldpiece SM480V or Testo 550. Critical for refrigerant charging.
Robinair 15600 or similar. Pull every system to 500 microns or it'll fail.
Fieldpiece SVG3. The only honest way to know the system is dry.
Required by EPA whenever you open a system.
True-RMS clamp with µF and temp. Built for HVAC.
For mini-split installs and copper line sets.
Fieldpiece SOX3 for gas furnace tuning — required for high-efficiency work.
Some apprenticeships supply the heavy stuff. Always ask your local what's expected before you spend.
Ready to apply?
Build a hvac technician-specific apprenticeship resume in under 5 minutes with AI.
Build my resume free