Best HVAC Schools in Columbus, Ohio (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: HVAC technicians in Ohio earn a median of $62,510 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited HVAC technician schools near Columbus, Ohio with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Looking for HVAC technician schools in Columbus, Ohio? The programs below combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $62,510 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Columbus Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$62,510BLS OEWS, May 2025
Ohio pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$38,630 to $98,310BLS OEWS, May 2025
Columbus, OH metro median wage$64,440BLS 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 Ohio (Davis-Bacon)$35.12 per hour totalDOL WHD Davis-Bacon, 2026
State employment14,150 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Franklin County establishments300BLS QCEW, 2024
Franklin County industry employment6,250BLS QCEW, 2024
Franklin County unemployment rate4.0%BLS LAUS, 2024
Ohio location quotient0.97BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the HVAC technician Career

What You’ll Find Below

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

Affordable Online HVAC Programs Now Accepting Students in Columbus, Ohio:

HVAC Schools near Columbus

#3

Fortis College-Columbus

Westerville, OH 8.1 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 400
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $40,980 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Auburn Career Center

Concord Twp, OH 17.4 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 71.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 348
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $48,563 (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 Ohio

  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 Columbus 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/.