How to Become an HVAC Technician in Arkansas (2026)
Arkansas employs about 4,960 hvac technicians earning a median $48,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an hvac technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners credentialing requirements.
Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Arkansas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas Tech University | 58.4 | $8,674 in-state / $14,668 out-of-state | $49,759 | 49% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 2 | University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville | 54.5 | $3,630 in-state / $4,662 out-of-state | $45,597 | 66% | Yes* | 82 mi |
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| 3 | Southern Arkansas University Tech | 54.0 | $5,040 in-state / $6,480 out-of-state | $50,478 | 62% | Yes* | 81 mi |
| 4 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers | 53.0 | $3,788 in-state / $4,388 out-of-state | $33,964 | 26% | Yes* | 40 mi |
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| 5 | University of Arkansas at Monticello | 49.8 | $9,292 in-state / $14,857 out-of-state | $48,735 | 49% | Yes* | 84 mi |
| 6 | Arkansas State University-Beebe | 49.5 | $3,336 in-state / $5,232 out-of-state | $41,404 | 42% | Yes* | 32 mi |
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| 7 | University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | 49.1 | $3,648 in-state / $4,728 out-of-state | $43,385 | 42% | Yes* | 38 mi |
| 8 | University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | 41.7 | $6,300 in-state / $9,450 out-of-state | $41,807 | 36% | Yes* | 3 mi |
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| 9 | Southeast Arkansas College | 35.4 | $5,200 in-state / $8,650 out-of-state | $42,328 | 28% | Yes* | 40 mi |
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.
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.
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 and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners
- Median wage (Arkansas): $48,110 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in Arkansas
How to become an HVAC Technician in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Air Conditioning Electrician. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the hvac technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered 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 and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners 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.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Arkansas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arkansas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arkansas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, pass the required examination, and obtain the hvac technician credential before working unsupervised in Arkansas.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners oversees hvac technician licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 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]
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.
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 ( 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 .
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 and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners 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 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.
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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
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 and Licensing - Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/divisions/code-enforcement/electrical-inspection-and-licensing/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |