Best HVAC Schools in Nebraska (2026)

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

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Best HVAC Technician Schools in Nebraska

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

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, NE In-state option BOC Score 71.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 55.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 54
  • Annual completions: 815
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,390 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Mid-Plains Community College

North Platte, NE In-state option BOC Score 65.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 49.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 268
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,858 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE In-state option BOC Score 59.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 48
  • Annual completions: 2949
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,675 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, NE In-state option BOC Score 55.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 89
  • Annual completions: 2293
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,277 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Metropolitan Community College Area

Omaha, NE In-state option BOC Score 46.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 27.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 72
  • Annual completions: 2891
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,376 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Nebraska

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 Nebraska.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
171.4Contact school for pricing$49,39056%Yes*In-state
265.7Contact school for pricing$47,85849%Yes*In-state
359.3Contact school for pricing$48,67546%Yes*In-state
455.6Contact school for pricing$54,27736%Yes*In-state
546.7Contact school for pricing$53,37627%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Nebraska are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Median graduate earnings by school, Best HVAC Schools in Nebraska (2026) (College Scorecard)Southeast Community College Area $54277; Metropolitan Community College Area $53376; Northeast Community College $49390; Central Community College $48675; Mid-Plains Community College $47858.Southeast Community College ...$54,277Metropolitan Community Colle...$53,376Northeast Community College$49,390Central Community College$48,675Mid-Plains Community College$47,858
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 Nebraska (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Southeast Community College Area$54,277
Metropolitan Community College Area$53,376
Northeast Community College$49,390
Central Community College$48,675
Mid-Plains Community College$47,858

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

Nebraska Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$59,850BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment3,020 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.12BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate2.7%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$59.52/hr ($39.65 base + $19.87 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for HVAC Training in Nebraska

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

Steps to Become an HVAC Technician in Nebraska

  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 Nebraska, the relevant credential is the Electrician, Specialty License (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

HVAC Licensing in Nebraska

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

  • Electrician, Specialty License
  • Plumber
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Aircraft Pilot or Flight Instructor
  • Optometrist

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

Apprenticeship Programs in Nebraska

In Nebraska, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Nebraska Division of Employment and Training - 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 Nebraska

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

In Nebraska, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $59,850, about 3,020 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 1.12 (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 Nebraska

In Nebraska, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $59,850 per year, and most earn between $43,540 and $81,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nebraska employs roughly 3,020 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.12 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Nebraska include Northeast Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, and Central Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in Nebraska

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

HVAC technician training in Nebraska 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 Nebraska?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Nebraska earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,850. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $43,540 to $81,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

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

Licensing for HVAC technicians in Nebraska is administered by Nebraska State Electrical Division. 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)