"How long does it take to become an hvac technician in Idaho?"

"The primary Idaho license requires approximately 18 years of qualifying experience."

"What apprenticeships are available for hvac technicians in Idaho?"

"In Idaho, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become An HVAC Technician in Idaho

Q: "How much do hvac technicians earn in Idaho?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), hvac technicians in Idaho earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,240. Employment concentration in Idaho is about 2.02 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "Do hvac technicians need a license in Idaho?"

"Yes. Idaho requires state-level licensing or registration for hvac technicians, administered by the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation \u0026 Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

Q: "What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Idaho?"

"Idaho currently employs approximately 4,550 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Q: "What is the federal prevailing wage for hvac technicians in Idaho?"

"Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians on federally funded construction projects in Idaho earn a prevailing wage of approximately $39.00 per hour in base pay plus $22.42 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $61.42 (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026)."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Idaho heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median annual wage of $56,240 ($27.04/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,550 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.8% below the national median of $61,010 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $56,240 ($27.04/hr)
25th percentile: $47,250 per year
75th percentile: $67,030 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,780 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,660 per year
Workers employed in Idaho: 4,550
Versus national median: -7.8% below the U.S. median of $61,010
Job concentration: Location quotient 2.02 - this occupation is more concentrated in Idaho than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Idaho employs approximately 4,550 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,240 ¹. The state’s concentration of hvac technician jobs is 2.02x 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 Idaho, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Idaho

How do I become an hvac technician in Idaho? Idaho requires credentials such as HVAC Apprentice, HVAC Journeyman, HVAC Contractor. The licensing authority is the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience ³.

Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do hvac technicians earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Idaho is $56,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,660 and experienced professionals can earn $80,780 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: Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board
Median wage (Idaho): $56,240 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

HVAC Technician License Requirements in Idaho

The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board oversees hvac technician licensing in Idaho ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
HVAC Apprentice	Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in the State of Idaho.
HVAC Journeyman	Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in the State of Idaho.
HVAC Contractor	Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in the State of Idaho.
HVAC Specialty Apprentice	Specialty Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in Idaho and are only allowed to work in their area of specialization.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Idaho

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Idaho’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship ⁵.

Contact Information:

Office: Idaho Office of Apprenticeship
Address: 317 W. Main St., Boise, ID 97232
Phone: (208) 332-3570
Email: [email protected]

HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Idaho vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Boise City	2,270	$57,270	$61,000	$41,010	$80,540
Coeur d'Alene	570	$58,800	$61,780	$43,430	$81,890
Idaho Falls	390	$49,190	$58,360	$37,810	$80,720
Twin Falls	260	$51,080	$56,260	$37,590	$76,550
Logan	230	$55,420	$56,550	$38,290	$75,140
Pocatello	190	$50,940	$57,880	$37,200	$81,590
Lewiston	100	$49,880	$52,820	$37,470	$72,240

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 Idaho

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Idaho according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Boise City	2,270	$57,270
Coeur d’Alene	570	$58,800
Idaho Falls	390	$49,190
Twin Falls	260	$51,080
Pocatello	190	$50,940

Explore hvac technician programs in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls.

Federal Prevailing Wage in Idaho

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Idaho earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Idaho general wage determinations show approximately $39.00 per hour in base pay plus $22.42 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $61.42 (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.

Explore More Trades in Idaho

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 4,550 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 Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Idaho. You can also contact the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do hvac technicians earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Idaho is $56,240, which is $3,570 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board - Licensing Information: http://dbs.idaho.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Job-Seekers/On-the-Job-Training/Apprenticeships ↩︎
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)