How to Become An HVAC Technician in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 4,960 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,110 1. The state’s concentration of hvac technician jobs is 1.44x 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 Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Arkansas
How do I become an hvac technician in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as HVAC/R Contractor, Air Conditioning Electrician. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing - HVAC/R Board 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 Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing - HVAC/R Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Arkansas is $48,110 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,040 and experienced professionals can earn $69,290 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: Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing - HVAC/R Board
- Median wage (Arkansas): $48,110 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing - HVAC/R Board oversees hvac technician licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HVAC/R Contractor | A Class A license entitles the licensee to perform all phases of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning or Refrigeration (HVAC/R) work without limitation to BTUH or horsepower capacities. |
| Air Conditioning Electrician | An Air Conditioning Electrician is an individual who is limited by license classification to the installation, maintenance, and extension of electrical conductors and equipment solely for the purpose… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Arkansas
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arkansas’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Arkansas Office of Skills Development
- Address: 1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202
- Phone: (501) 683-1152
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1,740 | $56,780 | $60,300 | $38,820 | $87,650 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 1,470 | $48,000 | $50,270 | $36,710 | $63,360 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 1,240 | $53,620 | $54,830 | $38,300 | $74,600 |
| Fort Smith | 410 | $48,160 | $49,780 | $36,020 | $64,450 |
| Jonesboro | 170 | $47,230 | $50,140 | $38,010 | $63,430 |
| Hot Springs | 150 | $46,630 | $48,950 | $36,510 | $65,590 |
| Texarkana | 130 | $47,760 | $52,490 | $37,150 | $71,570 |
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 Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 1,470 | $48,000 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 1,240 | $53,620 |
| Fort Smith | 410 | $48,160 |
| Jonesboro | 170 | $47,230 |
| Hot Springs | 150 | $46,630 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Arkansas
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Arkansas earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Arkansas general wage determinations show approximately $17.27 per hour in base pay plus $5.03 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $22.30 (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 Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 4,960 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 Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing - HVAC/R Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas. You can also contact the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Arkansas is $48,110, which is $11,700 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing - HVAC/R Board - Licensing Information: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/divisions/code-enforcement/hvac-r/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Career Education - 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) |