Best HVAC Schools Near You (2026)
HVAC training is offered by trade schools, community colleges and career institutes nationwide, and heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earned a median of $61,010 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Use the program finder above to request information from schools that match your goals, or browse HVAC schools by state and metro area below.
Key Facts
- National median wage: $61,010/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Pay range (10th-90th pct): $40,050 - $95,210 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Projected growth (2024-2034): +8.1%, ~40,100 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
- U.S. employment: 409,670 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
How to Choose an HVAC School
Start with accreditation: confirm the school holds recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation, because it affects credit transfer, eligibility for some certification exams and how employers view the credential. Then compare the credential awarded, total program length and schedule, and how much of the program is hands-on.
HVAC programs usually award a certificate or diploma in under a year, or an associate degree in HVAC-R technology over about two years.
Look for lab time on live equipment (split systems, heat pumps, furnaces and commercial refrigeration), refrigerant handling practice and electrical troubleshooting. Graduates usually work for mechanical contractors, service companies and facilities departments.
Every technician who handles refrigerant needs EPA Section 608 certification; many programs include the exam, so ask whether it is built in. See our EPA 608 guide for details.
Before you enroll, ask each school what the schedule looks like week to week, how much time is spent in the lab, shop or clinic, which credential exams the curriculum covers, and how the school supports graduates in their job search. Outcomes vary by program and region, so ask for the school’s own completion figures and how they were measured.
HVAC Schools by State
Each state link goes to the most specific HVAC page we publish for that state: a statewide HVAC program guide where one exists, otherwise the state’s HVAC career page or trade school directory.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top Metro Areas for HVAC Training
Large metros usually offer the widest choice of HVAC schools and the most employers hiring graduates. These city guides list programs within driving distance and local wage data.
- Best HVAC Schools in New York City, New York (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in New York, New York (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Los Angeles, California (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Chicago, Illinois (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Houston, Texas (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Phoenix, Arizona (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in San Antonio, Texas (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in San Diego, California (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Dallas, Texas (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in San Jose, California (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Jacksonville, Florida (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Fort Worth, Texas (2026)
- Best HVAC Schools in Columbus, Ohio (2026)
Related Careers and Guides
- How to Become an HVAC Technician in 2026
- EPA 608 Certification: Cost, Universal, Online (2026)
- NATE Certification for HVAC Techs: Exams, Cost, Renewal
- How to Choose a Trade School
- Trade Schools by State
Disclaimer: Outcomes vary by location, experience, and local job market conditions. Employment or placement is not guaranteed. Program availability, admissions criteria, timelines, costs, and licensure requirements vary by school and state and may change without notice. Always verify details directly with the school and your state licensing board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does HVAC training take?
It depends on the credential. HVAC programs usually award a certificate or diploma in under a year, or an associate degree in HVAC-R technology over about two years. Program length and schedule vary by school, so confirm the details with each program before you enroll.
How much do heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn?
According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in the U.S. earned a median annual wage of about $61,010. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $40,050 to $95,210 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Pay varies with location, experience, certification and employer.
Do I need a license or certification?
Requirements vary by state, role and employer. Some fields require a state license earned by completing approved training and passing an exam; others rely on voluntary industry certifications. Always confirm current rules with the licensing board or credentialing body in the state where you plan to work.
What is the job outlook for heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
The BLS projects employment of heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to change about +8.1% nationally from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 40,100 openings expected each year on average (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Local demand can differ from the national figure.
Can I take HVAC classes online?
Some coursework may be offered online, but most programs include hands-on lab, shop or clinical components that are completed in person. Ask each school how its program is delivered and what the in-person requirements are.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |