Best HVAC Schools in Florida (2026)

Compare accredited HVAC Technician schools across Florida below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.

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Best HVAC Technician Schools in Florida

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.

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.

#1

Fort Myers Technical College

Fort Myers, FL In-state option BOC Score 79.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 81.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 48
  • Annual completions: 1337
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,662 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Lorenzo Walker Technical College

Naples, FL In-state option BOC Score 74.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 99.0%
  • Programs offered: 42
  • Annual completions: 682
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,899 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

South Florida State College

Avon Park, FL In-state option BOC Score 73.8
Tuition $3,165 - $11,859
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Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 49.4%
  • Programs offered: 69
  • Annual completions: 533
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,619 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Traviss Technical College

Lakeland, FL In-state option BOC Score 73.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 85.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 37
  • Annual completions: 651
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,755 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Treasure Coast Technical College

Vero Beach, FL In-state option BOC Score 73.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 271
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,449 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL In-state option BOC Score 72.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 97
  • Annual completions: 3062
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,224 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL In-state option BOC Score 68.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 115
  • Annual completions: 2383
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,615 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Marion Technical College

Ocala, FL In-state option BOC Score 68.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 76.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 46
  • Annual completions: 1133
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,674 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

CBT Technology Institute-Hialeah

Hialeah, FL In-state option BOC Score 67.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 90.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 732
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,262 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Florida

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 Florida.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
179.7Contact school for pricing$43,66282%Yes*In-state
274.4Contact school for pricing$41,89999%In-state
373.8$3,165 - $11,859$48,61949%Yes*In-state
473.3Contact school for pricing$38,75586%In-state
573.2Contact school for pricing$53,449Not reportedIn-state
672.4Contact school for pricing$53,22435%Yes*In-state
768.6Contact school for pricing$47,61544%Yes*In-state
868.1Contact school for pricing$38,67476%Yes*In-state
967.6Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedYes*In-state
1067.4Contact school for pricing$42,26291%In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Florida are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Florida 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 Florida
Median graduate earnings by school, Best HVAC Schools in Florida (2026) (College Scorecard)Treasure Coast Technical College $53449; Florida State College at Jacksonville $53224; South Florida State College $48619; Indian River State College $47615; Fort Myers Technical College $43662; CBT Technology Institute-Hialeah $42262.Treasure Coast Technical Col...$53,449Florida State College at Jac...$53,224South Florida State College$48,619Indian River State College$47,615Fort Myers Technical College$43,662CBT Technology Institute-Hia...$42,262
Source: 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 Florida (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Treasure Coast Technical College$53,449
Florida State College at Jacksonville$53,224
South Florida State College$48,619
Indian River State College$47,615
Fort Myers Technical College$43,662
CBT Technology Institute-Hialeah$42,262

HVAC Technician Pay and Job Outlook

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers annual wage by percentile: $40,050 at the 10th percentile, $61,010 median, $95,210 at the 90th. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
What heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn across the pay scale
Projected job growth for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers: 425,200 jobs in 2024 to 459,700 in 2034, +8.1% change. Source: U.S. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034.
Projected job growth for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Top-paying states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers - District of Columbia leads at $84,390. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
Top-paying states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

Florida Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$56,670BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment39,160 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.50BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.8%BLS LAUS (2025)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$47.62/hr ($31.64 base + $15.98 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for HVAC Training in Florida

The cities below have the highest concentration of HVAC training programs and population centers within Florida. Click through for school listings near each:

Steps to Become an HVAC Technician in Florida

  1. Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
  2. Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
  3. Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
  4. Pass any required state or local exam. In Florida, the relevant credential is the Registered Air Conditioning Contractor, Class A (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

HVAC Licensing in Florida

The licenses below are reported by CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) for HVAC-related work in Florida:

  • Registered Air Conditioning Contractor, Class A
  • Registered Air Conditioning Contractor, Class C
  • Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers (Mechanics)
  • Registered Air Conditioning Contractor, Class B
  • Provisional Mechanical Plans Examiner

License names and requirements are sourced from the CareerOneStop License Finder. Verify current rules with the issuing agency before applying.

Apprenticeship Programs in Florida

In Florida, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Florida Office of 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 Florida

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

In Florida, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $56,670, about 39,160 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 1.50 (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 Florida

In Florida, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $56,670 per year, and most earn between $38,370 and $78,210 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Florida employs roughly 39,160 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.50 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Florida include Fort Myers Technical College, Lorenzo Walker Technical College, and South Florida State College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in Florida

In Florida, HVAC Technician licensing is overseen by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Common credentials include Registered HVAC License, Certified Air Conditioning Contractor License, and EPA Section 608 Certification. A typical path requires 4+ years (or equivalent education + experience) for certified contractor.

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 Florida involve?

HVAC technician training in Florida 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 Florida?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Florida earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,670. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $38,370 to $78,210 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Florida license or certification process for HVAC technicians?

Licensing for HVAC technicians in Florida is administered by Division of Professions. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)