Best HVAC Schools in North Dakota (2026)

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

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Best HVAC Technician Schools in North Dakota

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

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND In-state option BOC Score 76.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 45
  • Annual completions: 808
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $65,276 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND In-state option BOC Score 72.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 52.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 56
  • Annual completions: 633
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,587 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in North Dakota

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 Dakota.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
176.6Contact school for pricing$65,276Not reportedYes*In-state
272.6Contact school for pricing$60,58752%Yes*In-state
361.9$2,794 - $13,655Not reported49%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in North Dakota are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in North Dakota 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 Dakota
Median graduate earnings by school, Best HVAC Schools in North Dakota (2026) (College Scorecard)Bismarck State College $65276; North Dakota State College of Science $60587.Bismarck State College$65,276North Dakota State College o...$60,587
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 North Dakota (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Bismarck State College$65,276
North Dakota State College of Science$60,587

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

North Dakota Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$74,490BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment970 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.85BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate2.7%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$24.14/hr ($24.14 base + $0.0 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for HVAC Training in North Dakota

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

Steps to Become an HVAC Technician in North Dakota

  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 North Dakota, the relevant credential is the Water Conditioning Apprentices (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

HVAC Licensing in North Dakota

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

  • Water Conditioning Apprentices
  • Water Conditioning Contractors
  • Water Conditioning Installers

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

Apprenticeship Programs in North Dakota

In North Dakota, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the North Dakota Workforce Development - 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 North Dakota

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

In North Dakota, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $74,490, about 970 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.85 (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 Dakota

In North Dakota, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $74,490 per year, and most earn between $46,610 and $94,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). North Dakota employs roughly 970 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.85 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving North Dakota include Bismarck State College, North Dakota State College of Science, and Turtle Mountain Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in North Dakota

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

HVAC technician training in North Dakota 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 Dakota?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in North Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $74,490. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $46,610 to $94,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the North Dakota license or certification process for HVAC technicians?

Licensing for HVAC technicians in North Dakota is administered by ND State Plumbing Board. 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)