Bates Technical College
- 1101 S Yakima Ave Tacoma, WA 98405
- (253) 680-7000
- Graduation rate: 43.4%
- Programs offered: 70
- Annual completions: 1263
- Online programs available
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
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HVAC technicians in Washington earn a median of $75,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists HVAC training options near Olympia, with metro distances, EPA 608 prep, and the steps to licensure. Most enter through a 6-to-12-month certificate or a registered apprenticeship.
Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034; BLS / IPEDS, 2024.
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.
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,050 |
| 25th | $48,360 |
| 50th (median) | $61,010 |
| 75th | $77,060 |
| 90th | $95,210 |
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 425,200 |
| 2034 projected | 459,700 |
| Percent change | +8.1% |
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington median annual wage | $75,660 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Washington pay range (10th-90th pct) | $48,810 to $120,360 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Washington employment | 7,370 workers | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| National job outlook (2024-2034) | +8.1% growth, about 40,100 openings/yr | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034 |
Wages reflect the 49-9021 occupation (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). Earnings vary by employer, specialization, and experience.
Registered HVAC apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction and typically run 3 to 5 years. Sponsors include local contractors, union locals, and community colleges. Hour totals and ratios differ by program, so confirm the exact requirements with the state apprenticeship agency or licensing board before you commit.
HVAC certificate programs near Olympia typically take 6 to 12 months of full-time study, while associate degree programs generally run about 2 years. Many technicians instead enter through a registered apprenticeship, which combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and usually takes 3 to 5 years. Actual time depends on schedule and prerequisite coursework.
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), HVAC technicians in Washington earned a median annual wage of about $75,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The 10th-to-90th-percentile range was about $48,810 to $120,360. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer.
BLS projects employment of HVAC mechanics and installers to grow +8.1% (2024-2034) with about 40,100 openings projected per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Replacement of aging climate-control systems and tighter efficiency standards continue to drive demand.
Yes. Federal law (Clean Air Act, Section 608) requires technicians who maintain, service, or dispose of equipment that uses regulated refrigerants to hold EPA 608 certification. Most HVAC programs include EPA 608 exam prep.
Complete an approved HVAC program or registered apprenticeship, earn EPA 608 certification, then meet Washington's state or local mechanical/HVAC licensing requirements and pass any required exam. Confirm current rules with your state or local licensing board, as requirements vary by jurisdiction.
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/.
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |