How to Become an HVAC Installer in South Carolina (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Carolina employs about 6,920 hvac installers earning a median $56,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most hvac installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Carolina.

Compare HVAC Installer Schools in South Carolina

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
148.4$5,174 in-state / $7,924 out-of-state$54,58834%Yes*In-state
227.4$6,156 in-state / $11,916 out-of-state$47,36118%Yes*In-state
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316.3$6,315 in-state / $11,955 out-of-state$28,35012%—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.

South Carolina employs approximately 6,920 hvac installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,610 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 South Carolina, 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 (South Carolina): $56,610 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Installer in South Carolina

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

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 South Carolina? The median annual wage for hvac installers in South Carolina is $56,610 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,170 and experienced professionals can earn $75,530 or more 1.

How to Become an HVAC Installer in South Carolina

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

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: SC Technical College System - Apprenticeship Carolina
  • Address: 111 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29201-2496
  • Phone: (803) 765-5548

HVAC Installer Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia3,860$59,840$59,940$40,110$79,210
Charleston-North Charleston1,270$58,410$58,470$40,280$77,060
Columbia1,220$57,610$56,410$39,460$73,830
Greenville-Anderson-Greer1,160$58,760$57,440$38,520$77,520
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach630$54,230$54,510$39,330$72,930
Augusta-Richmond County620$48,900$51,910$36,240$72,850
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal420$58,280$57,380$39,090$74,620
Spartanburg390$57,790$57,970$40,670$76,920
Florence180$58,790$58,340$36,670$81,420
Sumter110$49,880$53,350$36,190$73,990

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 South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 6,920 hvac installers 1. Nationally, hvac installer employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do hvac installers earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac installers in South Carolina is $56,610, which is $3,200 below the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In South Carolina

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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. Apprenticeship South Carolina: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

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)