How to Become An HVAC Technician in Arizona
Arizona employs approximately 10,860 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,400 1. The state’s concentration of hvac technician jobs is 1.27x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Arizona
How do I become an hvac technician in Arizona? Arizona requires credentials such as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. The licensing authority is the There is some indication that this license exists in Arizona, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts. 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 Arizona? Yes. Arizona has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Arizona is $59,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,950 and experienced professionals can earn $80,160 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: There is some indication that this license exists in Arizona, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts
- Median wage (Arizona): $59,400 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Arizona
The There is some indication that this license exists in Arizona, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts oversees hvac technician licensing in Arizona.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Arizona
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arizona’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship 4.
Contact Information:
- Office: Arizona Apprenticeship Office Department of Economic Security
- Address: 1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
- Phone: (602) 542-6013
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Arizona vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 8,070 | $61,170 | $62,210 | $38,210 | $83,180 |
| Tucson | 1,380 | $56,070 | $55,830 | $36,050 | $75,860 |
| Yuma | 280 | $57,290 | $59,040 | $38,760 | $75,970 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 270 | $56,810 | $58,230 | $38,090 | $78,520 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 260 | $58,280 | $60,530 | $37,320 | $79,090 |
| Flagstaff | 140 | $58,360 | $61,330 | $38,710 | $80,340 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | 120 | $49,080 | $52,310 | $36,090 | $74,120 |
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 Arizona
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Arizona according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 8,070 | $61,170 |
| Tucson | 1,380 | $56,070 |
| Yuma | 280 | $57,290 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 270 | $56,810 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 260 | $58,280 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Arizona
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Arizona earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Arizona general wage determinations show approximately $22.21 per hour in base pay plus $6.12 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $28.33 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
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 Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 10,860 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 Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the There is some indication that this license exists in Arizona, but it has not yet been confirmed by state experts for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arizona. You can also contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Arizona is $59,400, which is $410 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship: https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/Registered-Apprenticeship-Program-List.pdf ↩︎
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) |