Best HVAC Schools in Irvine, California (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: HVAC technicians in California earn a median of $72,560 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited HVAC technician schools near Irvine, California with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

If you want to train as an HVAC technician in Irvine, California, start by weighing program length, schedule, and cost at nearby schools. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $72,560 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Irvine Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$72,560BLS OEWS, May 2025
California pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$46,950 to $109,060BLS OEWS, May 2025
Los Angeles, CA metro median wage$73,830BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+8.1% growth, about 40,100 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Federal prevailing wage in California (Davis-Bacon)$71.56 per hour totalDOL WHD Davis-Bacon, 2026
State employment35,130 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Orange County establishments1,120BLS QCEW, 2024
Orange County industry employment15,350BLS QCEW, 2024
Orange County unemployment rate3.9%BLS LAUS, 2024
California location quotient0.73BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the HVAC technician Career

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Irvine. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Orange County and California figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Affordable Online HVAC Programs Now Accepting Students in Irvine, California:

HVAC Schools near Irvine

#3

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, CA 7.9 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 61
  • Annual completions: 1502
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $49,927 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Brownson Technical School

Anaheim, CA 12.4 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 87.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 756
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $66,418 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

UEI College-Garden Grove

Garden Grove, CA 13.1 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 63.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 12
  • Annual completions: 1203
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $34,461 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Hvac Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $61,010 $29.33 per hour
Job Outlook 8.1% 34,500 jobs (2024–2034)
40,100 openings/yr
Data Year: 2025 SOC: 49-9021 Source: BLS OEWS

Licensing Steps in California

  1. Complete an approved HVAC trade school, community college program, or registered apprenticeship.
  2. Earn EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerants.
  3. Meet state or local mechanical/HVAC licensing requirements and pass any required exams.

Tips for Choosing a School

  • Tour the lab to see refrigeration trainers, heat pumps, and controls.
  • Compare schedules. many Irvine programs offer evening, weekend, or accelerated tracks.
  • Confirm the program includes EPA 608 exam prep and apprenticeship hour tracking.

Hvac Salary in U.S.

Median Salary $61,010 $29.33/hr
Average Salary $64,780 $31.14/hr

Salary Range

$40,050 10th pctl
$61,010 Median
$95,210 90th pctl
10th Percentile $40,050 $19.25/hr
25th Percentile $48,360 $23.25/hr
75th Percentile $77,060 $37.05/hr
90th Percentile $95,210 $45.78/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed409,670
Growth (2024-2034)8.1%
Annual Openings40,100
Jobs per 1,0002.6

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021) • BLS OEWS, May 2025 • bls.gov/oes

Next Steps

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.