Best HVAC Schools in Georgia (2026)

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

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Best HVAC Technician Schools in Georgia

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

Gwinnett Technical College

Lawrenceville, GA In-state option BOC Score 55.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 29.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 77
  • Annual completions: 3727
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,469 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Athens Technical College

Athens, GA In-state option BOC Score 54.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 83
  • Annual completions: 2331
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,299 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Southern Crescent Technical College

Griffin, GA In-state option BOC Score 54.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 54.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 116
  • Annual completions: 4085
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,009 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

South Georgia Technical College

Americus, GA In-state option BOC Score 54.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 93
  • Annual completions: 2566
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $40,852 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Rome, GA In-state option BOC Score 53.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 37.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 113
  • Annual completions: 4534
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,490 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Coastal Pines Technical College

Waycross, GA In-state option BOC Score 53.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 89
  • Annual completions: 2305
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,956 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Chattahoochee Technical College

Marietta, GA In-state option BOC Score 52.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 100
  • Annual completions: 6004
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,209 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Lanier Technical College

Gainesville, GA In-state option BOC Score 51.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 106
  • Annual completions: 3421
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,754 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

West Georgia Technical College

Waco, GA In-state option BOC Score 51.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 33.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 95
  • Annual completions: 4107
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,835 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Valdosta, GA In-state option BOC Score 50.7
Tuition $3,480 - $11,034
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 47.4%
  • Programs offered: 106
  • Annual completions: 3632
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $40,586 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Georgia

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 Georgia.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
155.0Contact school for pricing$50,46929%Yes*In-state
254.3Contact school for pricing$47,299Not reportedYes*In-state
354.3Contact school for pricing$47,00955%Yes*In-state
454.3Contact school for pricing$40,852Not reportedYes*In-state
553.6Contact school for pricing$44,49038%Yes*In-state
653.5Contact school for pricing$42,95647%Yes*In-state
752.1Contact school for pricing$45,209Not reportedYes*In-state
851.3Contact school for pricing$44,75435%Yes*In-state
951.0Contact school for pricing$43,83533%Yes*In-state
1050.7$3,480 - $11,034$40,58647%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Georgia are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Georgia 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 Georgia
Median graduate earnings by school, Best HVAC Schools in Georgia (2026) (College Scorecard)Gwinnett Technical College $50469; Athens Technical College $47299; Southern Crescent Technical College $47009; Chattahoochee Technical College $45209; Lanier Technical College $44754; Georgia Northwestern Technical College $44490.Gwinnett Technical College$50,469Athens Technical College$47,299Southern Crescent Technical ...$47,009Chattahoochee Technical Coll...$45,209Lanier Technical College$44,754Georgia Northwestern Technic...$44,490
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 Georgia (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Gwinnett Technical College$50,469
Athens Technical College$47,299
Southern Crescent Technical College$47,009
Chattahoochee Technical College$45,209
Lanier Technical College$44,754
Georgia Northwestern Technical College$44,490

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

Georgia Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$56,390BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment12,290 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.95BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.8%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$18.91/hr ($18.91 base + $0.0 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for HVAC Training in Georgia

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

Steps to Become an HVAC Technician in Georgia

  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 Georgia, the relevant credential is the Conditioned Air Restricted (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

HVAC Licensing in Georgia

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

  • Conditioned Air Restricted
  • Conditoned Air Non-Restricted
  • Registered Professional Nurse
  • Salesperson
  • Orthotist & Prosthetist

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

Apprenticeship Programs in Georgia

In Georgia, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the (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 Georgia

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

In Georgia, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $56,390, about 12,290 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.95 (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 Georgia

In Georgia, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $56,390 per year, and most earn between $36,990 and $79,130 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Georgia employs roughly 12,290 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.95 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Georgia include Gwinnett Technical College, Athens Technical College, and South Georgia Technical College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in Georgia

Licensing for HVAC Technician varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Georgia 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 Georgia involve?

HVAC technician training in Georgia 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 Georgia?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Georgia earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,390. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $36,990 to $79,130 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

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

Licensing for HVAC technicians in Georgia is administered by Georgia Construction Industry Licensing 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.

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)