Best HVAC Schools in Rockingham, North Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: HVAC technicians in North Carolina earn a median of $57,260 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited HVAC technician schools near Rockingham, North Carolina with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Comparing HVAC technician schools in Rockingham, North Carolina starts with the local labor market and the credentials each program offers. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $57,260 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Rockingham Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$57,260BLS OEWS, May 2025
North Carolina pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$37,780 to $77,160BLS OEWS, May 2025
Top-paying North Carolina metro for this fieldCharlotte, NC, $59,840BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+8.1% growth, about 40,100 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Federal prevailing wage in North Carolina (Davis-Bacon)$47.44 per hour totalDOL WHD Davis-Bacon, 2026
State employment15,230 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Richmond County establishments10BLS QCEW, 2024
Richmond County industry employment50BLS QCEW, 2024
Richmond County unemployment rate4.1%BLS LAUS, 2024
North Carolina location quotient1.17BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the HVAC technician Career

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Rockingham. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Richmond 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 Rockingham, North Carolina:

HVAC Schools near Rockingham

#1

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, NC 3.7 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 513
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $42,771 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Stanly Community College

Albemarle, NC 38.4 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 53.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 33
  • Annual completions: 327
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $44,892 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Robeson Community College

Lumberton, NC 46.5 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 31.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 30
  • Annual completions: 611
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $46,135 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

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 Rockingham 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/.