How to Become an HVAC Installer in Oregon (2026)

Oregon employs about 3,980 hvac installers earning a median $62,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most hvac installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Oregon.

Compare HVAC Installer Schools in Oregon

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
149.9$6,345 in-state / $14,040 out-of-state$50,59421%Yes*In-state
248.8$5,247 in-state / $9,819 out-of-state$52,18424%Yes*In-state
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346.0$5,220 in-state / $10,440 out-of-state$55,23818%Yes*In-state
438.9$6,202 in-state / $13,078 out-of-state$59,13120%Yes*In-state
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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.

Oregon employs approximately 3,980 hvac installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,940 1. 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 Oregon, 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 (Oregon): $62,940 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Installer in Oregon

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

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 Oregon? The median annual wage for hvac installers in Oregon is $62,940 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,990 and experienced professionals can earn $94,520 or more 1.

How to Become an HVAC Installer in Oregon

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Oregon, 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 Oregon

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Oregon’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship and Training Division, Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries
  • Address: 1800 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97201
  • Phone: (971) 245-3844
  • Email: [email protected]

HVAC Installer Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro2,580$65,260$72,700$48,650$98,810
Eugene-Springfield370$60,050$62,870$44,760$82,590
Salem350$65,050$68,450$46,810$91,330
Bend340$61,150$66,060$47,270$89,980
Medford200$59,750$64,110$45,310$84,460
Albany130$58,890$62,680$45,130$84,600
Grants Pass80$48,190$54,910$38,420$78,020
Corvallis40$63,720$67,470$49,280$80,040

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 Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 3,980 hvac installers 1. Nationally, hvac installer employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Oregon. You can also contact the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do hvac installers earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac installers in Oregon is $62,940, which is $3,130 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In Oregon

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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. Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/apprenticeship/pages/apprenticeship-opportunities.aspx ↩︎

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)