How to Become an HVAC Technician in Georgia (2026)
Georgia employs about 12,290 hvac technicians earning a median $56,390 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most hvac technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Georgia.
Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Georgia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta Technical College | 47.9 | $3,382 in-state / $5,950 out-of-state | $40,964 | 49% | Yes* | 3 mi |
| 2 | Georgia Piedmont Technical College | 44.5 | $3,386 in-state / $5,954 out-of-state | $46,601 | 44% | Yes* | 9 mi |
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| 3 | Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee | 38.5 | $11,330 | $34,836 | 37% | Yes* | 11 mi |
| 4 | Fortis College-Smyrna | 34.9 | $15,543 | $40,980 | 59% | — | 13 mi |
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| 5 | Lincoln College of Technology-East Point | 34.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 10 mi |
| 6 | Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta | 33.5 | Contact school for pricing | $42,316 | 64% | — | 12 mi |
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| 7 | Interactive College of Technology-Morrow | 31.8 | $11,210 | $34,836 | 41% | Yes* | 12 mi |
| 8 | United Education Institute-Morrow | 24.7 | Contact school for pricing | $34,461 | 51% | — | 12 mi |
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| 9 | United Education Institute-Stone Mountain | 22.0 | Contact school for pricing | $29,409 | 56% | — | 13 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.
Georgia employs approximately 12,290 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,390 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 Georgia, 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 (Georgia): $56,390 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in Georgia
How to become an HVAC Technician in Georgia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for hvac technicians in Georgia.
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.
What do hvac technicians earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Georgia is $56,390 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,990 and experienced professionals can earn $79,130 or more 1.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Georgia
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Georgia 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 Georgia that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Georgia.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Georgia, 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 Technician Apprenticeship Information in Georgia
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Chatham Apprentice Program - StepUp Savannah
- Address: 428 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401
- Phone: (912) 232-6747
Federal Prevailing Wage in Georgia
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Georgia earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Georgia general wage determinations show approximately $18.91 per hour in base pay plus $0.00 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $18.91 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 3.
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 Georgia
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 7,060 | $58,970 | $60,460 | $38,310 | $82,740 |
| Chattanooga | 850 | $50,950 | $56,010 | $37,160 | $77,020 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 620 | $48,900 | $51,910 | $36,240 | $72,850 |
| Savannah | 450 | $51,770 | $55,530 | $36,940 | $76,860 |
| Columbus | 330 | $46,780 | $49,710 | $33,680 | $66,180 |
| Gainesville | 330 | $53,310 | $55,690 | $37,540 | $73,610 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 240 | $48,890 | $50,880 | $35,790 | $69,010 |
| Warner Robins | 220 | $48,670 | $54,630 | $36,600 | $74,650 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 210 | $48,980 | $52,690 | $36,430 | $69,090 |
| Dalton | 150 | $65,560 | $57,670 | $36,960 | $65,850 |
| Albany | 140 | $48,320 | $52,350 | $35,340 | $76,320 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | 140 | $49,920 | $52,760 | $32,600 | $75,810 |
| Valdosta | 100 | $47,020 | $49,080 | $34,510 | $66,130 |
| Rome | 80 | $52,040 | $55,470 | $35,120 | $76,140 |
| Hinesville | 60 | $59,910 | $55,700 | $31,350 | $63,300 |
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 Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 12,290 hvac technicians 1. Nationally, hvac technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Georgia.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Georgia is $56,390, which is $3,420 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |