Best HVAC Schools in Missouri (2026)

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

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Best HVAC Technician Schools in Missouri

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 89 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

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.

#1

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS 37.2 miles away BOC Score 72.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230 Lawrence, KS 66045
  • (785) 864-2700
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 68.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 730
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $69,680 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Washburn Institute of Technology

Topeka, KS 63.0 miles away BOC Score 71.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 65.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 54
  • Annual completions: 1756
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,774 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS 14.7 miles away BOC Score 55.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 30.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 64
  • Annual completions: 2912
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,956 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott, KS 89.0 miles away BOC Score 49.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 538
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $40,408 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, MO 88.2 miles away BOC Score 48.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 55.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 150
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,213 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Highland Community College

Highland, KS 64.3 miles away BOC Score 48.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 38.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 571
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,261 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO 3.2 miles away BOC Score 45.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 31.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 40
  • Annual completions: 981
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,121 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City, KS 9.1 miles away BOC Score 44.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 40.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 52
  • Annual completions: 1485
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,545 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Pinnacle Career Institute

Kansas City, MO 0.0 miles away BOC Score 40.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 11500 N.W. Ambassador, Suite 221 Kansas City, MO 64153-1151
  • (816) 331-5700
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 52.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 674
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $39,968 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, MO 46.9 miles away BOC Score 37.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 39.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 30
  • Annual completions: 182
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,293 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Missouri

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 Missouri.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
171.0Contact school for pricing$56,77466%Yes*63 mi
255.0Contact school for pricing$52,95630%Yes*15 mi
349.9Contact school for pricing$40,40834%Yes*89 mi
448.1Contact school for pricing$43,26139%Yes*64 mi
545.8Contact school for pricing$50,12131%Yes*3 mi
644.4Contact school for pricing$50,54540%Yes*9 mi
740.7Contact school for pricing$39,96852%Yes*0 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in Missouri are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Missouri 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 Missouri
Median graduate earnings by school, Best HVAC Schools in Missouri (2026) (College Scorecard)Washburn Institute of Technology $56774; Johnson County Community College $52956; Kansas City Kansas Community College $50545; Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City $50121; Highland Community College $43261; Fort Scott Community College $40408.Washburn Institute of Techno...$56,774Johnson County Community Col...$52,956Kansas City Kansas Community...$50,545Metropolitan Community Colle...$50,121Highland Community College$43,261Fort Scott Community College$40,408
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 Missouri (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Washburn Institute of Technology$56,774
Johnson County Community College$52,956
Kansas City Kansas Community College$50,545
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City$50,121
Highland Community College$43,261
Fort Scott Community College$40,408

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

Missouri Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$59,950BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment7,220 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.93BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.9%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$58.9/hr ($36.51 base + $22.39 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for HVAC Training in Missouri

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

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Missouri

  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 Missouri, the relevant credential is the Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

HVAC Licensing in Missouri

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

  • Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

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

Apprenticeship Programs in Missouri

In Missouri, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & 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 Missouri

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

In Missouri, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $59,950, about 7,220 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.93 (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 Missouri

In Missouri, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $59,950 per year, and most earn between $39,180 and $88,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Missouri employs roughly 7,220 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.93 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Missouri include State Technical College of Missouri, Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, and American Trade School. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in Missouri

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

HVAC technician training in Missouri 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 Missouri?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Missouri earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,950. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $39,180 to $88,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

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

Licensing for HVAC technicians in Missouri is administered by Division of Career Education. 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)