Best HVAC Schools in Oregon (2026)

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

Sponsored - request program info.

Best HVAC Technician Schools in Oregon

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

Chemeketa Community College

Salem, OR In-state option BOC Score 49.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 21.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 533
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,594 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Mt Hood Community College

Gresham, OR In-state option BOC Score 48.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 24.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 56
  • Annual completions: 627
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,184 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Portland Community College

Portland, OR In-state option BOC Score 46.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 70
  • Annual completions: 3526
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,238 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Treasure Valley Community College

Ontario, OR In-state option BOC Score 45.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 170
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,354 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Columbia Gorge Community College

The Dalles, OR In-state option BOC Score 42.2
Tuition $5,940 - $18,608
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 21.6%
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 100
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,750 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Lane Community College

Eugene, OR In-state option BOC Score 38.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 20.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 57
  • Annual completions: 847
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,131 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Oregon

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 Oregon.
# School BOC Score (0–100) Tuition Median grad earnings (all majors) Graduation rate Online Distance
1 49.9 Contact school for pricing $50,594 22% Yes* In-state
2 48.8 Contact school for pricing $52,184 25% Yes* In-state
3 46.0 Contact school for pricing $55,238 Not reported Yes* In-state
4 45.7 Contact school for pricing $45,354 Not reported Yes* In-state
5 42.2 $5,940 - $18,608 $53,750 22% In-state
6 38.9 Contact school for pricing $59,131 20% Yes* In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Oregon are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Oregon 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 Oregon
Median graduate earnings by school, Best HVAC Schools in Oregon (2026) (College Scorecard) Lane Community College $59131; Portland Community College $55238; Columbia Gorge Community College $53750; Mt Hood Community College $52184; Chemeketa Community College $50594; Treasure Valley Community College $45354.Lane Community College $59,131Portland Community College $55,238Columbia Gorge Community Col... $53,750Mt Hood Community College $52,184Chemeketa Community College $50,594Treasure Valley Community Co... $45,354
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 Oregon (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Lane Community College$59,131
Portland Community College$55,238
Columbia Gorge Community College$53,750
Mt Hood Community College$52,184
Chemeketa Community College$50,594
Treasure Valley Community College$45,354

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

Oregon Quick Facts

Metric Value Source
State median annual wage $62,940 BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment 3,980 workers BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient 0.77 BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate 4.5% BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage $95.49/hr ($60.77 base + $34.72 fringe) DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for HVAC Training in Oregon

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

Steps to Become an HVAC Technician in Oregon

  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 Oregon, the relevant credential is the Conditional Audiology / Conditional Speech Language Pathology (CareerOneStop, 2025).
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

HVAC Licensing in Oregon

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

  • Conditional Audiology / Conditional Speech Language Pathology
  • Apprentice Plumber (Speciality), Solar Heating and Cooling System Installer
  • Tank, Heating Oil, Supervisor
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Fitter’s License
  • Electrician, Limited Energy Technician Class B (LEB) Apprentice

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

Apprenticeship Programs in Oregon

In Oregon, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division (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 Oregon

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

In Oregon, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $62,940, about 3,980 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.77 (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 Oregon

In Oregon, HVAC Technician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $62,940 per year, and most earn between $46,990 and $94,520 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Oregon employs roughly 3,980 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.77 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Oregon include Chemeketa Community College, Mt Hood Community College, and Portland Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

HVAC Technician Training and Licensing in Oregon

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

HVAC technician training in Oregon 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 Oregon?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,940. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $46,990 to $94,520 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Oregon license or certification process for HVAC technicians?

Licensing for HVAC technicians in Oregon is administered by State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. 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 Statistics May 2025
Employment Projections U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) 2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) U.S. Department of Education latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) U.S. Department of Education latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) latest release (updated 2025-10-25)