How to Become An HVAC Technician in Alaska
Alaska employs approximately 610 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,430 1. Nationally, hvac technician 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 technician in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Alaska
How do I become an hvac technician in Alaska? Alaska requires credentials such as Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Technician. The licensing authority is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Alaska is $77,430 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,580 and experienced professionals can earn $105,140 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA
- Median wage (Alaska): $77,430 per year 1
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Alaska
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA oversees hvac technician licensing in Alaska 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Technician | Stratospheric Protection Hotline: 1-800-296-1996 Region 10 Hotline: 1-800-424-4372 Hotline regarding questions on CFC issues: 1-800-296-1996 License/Exam Fees: Contact licensing agency for information… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Alaska
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Alaska’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Anchorage Field Office
- Address: 605 W. 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501-2249
- Phone: (907) 271-5035
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Alaska
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Alaska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Alaska vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 330 | $85,620 | $85,290 | $58,070 | $105,140 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 270 | $62,400 | $69,120 | $46,450 | $94,910 |
| Fairbanks-College | 90 | $93,820 | $84,820 | $54,310 | $105,800 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Hvac technicians in Alaska
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Alaska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 330 | $85,620 |
| Fairbanks-College | 90 | $93,820 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Alaska
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Alaska earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Alaska general wage determinations show approximately $41.50 per hour in base pay plus $27.62 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $69.12 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within hvac technician work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 610 hvac technicians 1. Nationally, hvac technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an hvac technician in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alaska. You can also contact the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Alaska is $77,430, which is $17,620 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA - Licensing Information: https://www.epa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
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) |
| 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) |