How to Become an HVAC Installer in Idaho (2026)

Idaho employs about 4,550 hvac installers earning a median $56,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most hvac installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Idaho.

Compare HVAC Installer Schools in Idaho

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
168.2$3,360 in-state / $6,840 out-of-state$46,12933%Yes*In-state
266.6$3,390 in-state / $6,750 out-of-state$55,12339%Yes*In-state
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346.4$3,396 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state$50,31238%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location 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.

Idaho employs approximately 4,550 hvac installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,240 1. The state’s concentration of hvac installer jobs is 2.02x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, hvac installer employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an HVAC Installer in Idaho, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Idaho): $56,240 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Installer in Idaho

How to become an HVAC Installer in Idaho? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for hvac installers in Idaho.

How long does it take? Most paths into the hvac installer field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do hvac installers earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for hvac installers in Idaho is $56,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,660 and experienced professionals can earn $80,780 or more 1.

How to Become an HVAC Installer in Idaho

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Idaho training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Idaho that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Idaho.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Idaho, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

HVAC Installer Apprenticeship Information in Idaho

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Idaho’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Idaho Office of Apprenticeship
  • Address: 317 W. Main St., Boise, ID 97232
  • Phone: (208) 332-3570
  • Email: [email protected]

HVAC Installer Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Idaho vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boise City2,270$57,270$61,000$41,010$80,540
Coeur d'Alene570$58,800$61,780$43,430$81,890
Idaho Falls390$49,190$58,360$37,810$80,720
Twin Falls260$51,080$56,260$37,590$76,550
Logan230$55,420$56,550$38,290$75,140
Pocatello190$50,940$57,880$37,200$81,590
Lewiston100$49,880$52,820$37,470$72,240

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for hvac installers in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 4,550 hvac installers 1. Nationally, hvac installer employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Idaho. You can also contact the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do hvac installers earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac installers in Idaho is $56,240, which is $3,570 below the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In Idaho

Explore More Trades in Idaho

Citations

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/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Job-Seekers/On-the-Job-Training/Apprenticeships ↩︎

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)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)