Compare accredited HVAC Technician schools across Colorado below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best HVAC Technician Schools in Colorado
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. 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 Colorado.
Schools closest to the main population center in Colorado are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Colorado 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 ColoradoSource: 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 Colorado (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
Red Rocks Community College
$62,695
Colorado Mesa University
$58,601
Arapahoe Community College
$57,589
Aims Community College
$51,704
Front Range Community College
$50,353
Pueblo Community College
$49,179
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
Colorado Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$65,200
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
8,940 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
1.18
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
4.3%
BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$57.33/hr ($41.32 base + $16.01 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for HVAC Training in Colorado
The cities below have the highest concentration of HVAC training programs and population centers within Colorado. 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 Colorado, the relevant credential is the Water Conditioning Contractor (CareerOneStop, 2025).
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.
HVAC Licensing in Colorado
The licenses below are reported by CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) for HVAC-related work in Colorado:
Water Conditioning Contractor
Water Conditioning Installer
Water Conditioning Principal
Law Student Practice
Pro Bono Certification
License names and requirements are sourced from the CareerOneStop License Finder. Verify current rules with the issuing agency before applying.
Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado
In Colorado, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Department of Employment Services - 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 Colorado
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
In Colorado, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $65,200, about 8,940 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 1.18 (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 Colorado
In Colorado, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $65,200 per year, and most earn between $48,220 and $103,640 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Colorado employs roughly 8,940 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.18 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving Colorado include Emily Griffith Technical College, Red Rocks Community College, and Front Range Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in Colorado
Licensing for HVAC Technician varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Colorado licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.
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 Colorado involve?
HVAC technician training in Colorado 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 Colorado?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Colorado earned a median annual wage of approximately $65,200. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $48,220 to $103,640 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the Colorado license or certification process for HVAC technicians?
Licensing for HVAC technicians in Colorado is administered by Board of Plumbers. 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)
