Compare accredited HVAC Technician schools across California below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best HVAC Technician Schools in California
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 10 schools, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
10 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in California.
Schools closest to the main population center in California are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in California is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at HVAC Technician Schools in CaliforniaSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best HVAC Schools in California (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
Brownson Technical School
$66,418
Southern California Institute of Technology
$65,954
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California
$58,404
Mt San Antonio College
$51,460
Butte College
$51,432
Imperial Valley College
$41,236
HVAC Technician Pay and Job Outlook
What heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersTop-paying states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
California Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$72,560
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
35,130 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.73
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
6.1%
BLS LAUS (2025)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$71.56/hr ($48.83 base + $22.73 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for HVAC Training in California
The cities below have the highest concentration of HVAC training programs and population centers within California. Click through for school listings near each:
Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
Pass any required state or local exam. In California, the relevant credential is the Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor (CareerOneStop, 2025).
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.
HVAC Licensing in California
The licenses below are reported by CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) for HVAC-related work in California:
Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor
Air and Water Balancing Limited Specialty Contractor
Water Conditioning Contractor
Drilling, Blasting and Oil Field Work Limited Specialty Contractor
Refrigeration Contractor
License names and requirements are sourced from the CareerOneStop License Finder. Verify current rules with the issuing agency before applying.
Apprenticeship Programs in California
In California, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years.
About HVAC Careers in California
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
In California, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $72,560, about 35,130 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.73 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Career outlook varies by region and specialization. Refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for national projections and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the latest state and metropolitan area data.
HVAC Technician Wages and Workforce in California
In California, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $72,560 per year, and most earn between $46,950 and $109,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). California employs roughly 35,130 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.73 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving California include Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, ATA College, and Mt San Antonio College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in California
In California, HVAC Technician licensing is overseen by California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Common credentials include EPA Section 608 Certification, and C-20 HVAC Contractor License. A typical path requires 4 years of verified journey-level experience (for C-20).
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HVAC technician training in California involve?
HVAC technician training in California is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do HVAC technicians earn in California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in California earned a median annual wage of approximately $72,560. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $46,950 to $109,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the California license or certification process for HVAC technicians?
Licensing for HVAC technicians in California is administered by Contractors State License Board. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)
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)
