Compare accredited HVAC Technician schools across North Carolina below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best HVAC Technician Schools in North Carolina
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 North Carolina.
Schools closest to the main population center in North Carolina are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in North Carolina 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 North CarolinaSource: 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 North Carolina (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
NASCAR Technical Institute
$58,404
Wake Technical Community College
$49,034
Cape Fear Community College
$48,346
Johnston Community College
$48,144
Vance-Granville Community College
$47,633
Southwestern Community College
$45,381
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
North Carolina Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$57,260
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
15,230 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
1.17
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
3.8%
BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$47.44/hr ($33.96 base + $13.48 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for HVAC Training in North Carolina
The cities below have the highest concentration of HVAC training programs and population centers within North Carolina. Click through for school listings near each:
Steps to Become an HVAC Technician in North Carolina
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 North Carolina, the relevant credential is the Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning (CareerOneStop, 2025).
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.
HVAC Licensing in North Carolina
The licenses below are reported by CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) for HVAC-related work in North Carolina:
Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Oil Terminal Facilities: Registration
Heating Group 1 Contractor (Class II)
Heating Group 3 Technician
Heating Group 2 Technician License (Private Educational Institution)
License names and requirements are sourced from the CareerOneStop License Finder. Verify current rules with the issuing agency before applying.
Apprenticeship Programs in North Carolina
In North Carolina, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships (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 North Carolina
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
In North Carolina, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $57,260, about 15,230 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 1.17 (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 North Carolina
In North Carolina, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $57,260 per year, and most earn between $37,780 and $77,160 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). North Carolina employs roughly 15,230 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.17 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving North Carolina include Johnston Community College, Southwestern Community College, and Central Carolina Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in North Carolina
Licensing for HVAC Technician varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate North Carolina 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 North Carolina involve?
HVAC technician training in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $57,260. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $37,780 to $77,160 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the North Carolina license or certification process for HVAC technicians?
Licensing for HVAC technicians in North Carolina is administered by NC Board of Electrical Contractors. 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)
