Best HVAC Schools in Hickory, North Carolina (2026)

Updated May 26, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Hickory sits within the North Carolina HVAC technician workforce, served by accredited training providers. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $57,260 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Hickory Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$57,260BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment15,230 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Catawba County establishments60BLS QCEW, 2024
Catawba County industry employment600BLS QCEW, 2024
Catawba County unemployment rate3.6%BLS LAUS, 2024
North Carolina location quotient1.17BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Hickory. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Catawba County and North Carolina figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Affordable Online HVAC Programs Now Accepting Students in Hickory, North Carolina:

HVAC Schools near Hickory

Hvac Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $61,010 $29.33 per hour
Job Outlook 8.1% 34,500 jobs (2024–2034)
40,100 openings/yr
Data Year: 2025 SOC: 49-9021 Source: BLS OEWS

Licensing Steps in North Carolina

  1. Complete an approved HVAC trade school, community college program, or registered apprenticeship.
  2. Earn EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerants.
  3. Meet state or local mechanical/HVAC licensing requirements and pass any required exams.

Tips for Choosing a School

  • Tour the lab to see refrigeration trainers, heat pumps, and controls.
  • Compare schedules. many Hickory programs offer evening, weekend, or accelerated tracks.
  • Confirm the program includes EPA 608 exam prep and apprenticeship hour tracking.

Hvac Salary in U.S.

Median Salary $61,010 $29.33/hr
Average Salary $64,780 $31.14/hr

Salary Range

$40,050 10th pctl
$61,010 Median
$95,210 90th pctl
10th Percentile $40,050 $19.25/hr
25th Percentile $48,360 $23.25/hr
75th Percentile $77,060 $37.05/hr
90th Percentile $95,210 $45.78/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed409,670
Growth (2024-2034)8.1%
Annual Openings40,100
Jobs per 1,0002.6

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021) • BLS OEWS, May 2025 • bls.gov/oes

Next Steps

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.