How to Become an HVAC Technician in Kentucky (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky employs about 5,100 hvac technicians earning a median $58,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an hvac technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Department of Housing, Building and Construction credentialing requirements.

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Kentucky

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
155.7$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$47,99059%Yes*80 mi
255.4$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$44,85454%Yes*81 mi
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355.0$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$43,58459%Yes*39 mi
451.0$4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state$48,18143%Yes*70 mi
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549.7$4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state$50,10635%Yes*0 mi
643.9$15,480$53,06871%Yes*6 mi
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727.9$14,763$40,98050%—89 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.

Kentucky employs approximately 5,100 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,620 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 Kentucky, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in Kentucky

How to become an HVAC Technician in Kentucky? Kentucky requires credentials such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Apprentice, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Journeyman, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Installer Mechanic. The licensing authority is the Department of Housing, Building and Construction 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 Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Department of Housing, Building and Construction oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do hvac technicians earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Kentucky is $58,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,790 and experienced professionals can earn $80,020 or more 1.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Kentucky

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kentucky training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Kentucky that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Department of Housing, Building and Construction, pass the required examination, and obtain the hvac technician credential before working unsupervised in Kentucky.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

HVAC Technician License Requirements in Kentucky

The Department of Housing, Building and Construction oversees hvac technician licensing in Kentucky 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning ApprenticeContact the regulatory agency for specific information.
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Mechanic, JourneymanGENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Authorized to install, maintain, alter, remodel or repair of heating systems, ventilation systems, hydropic systems, burner service or cooling systems under the supervision of…
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Installer MechanicGENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Authorized to install system of air conditioning, warm air Heating and Ventilation, including startup of equipment and duct system necessary to make a complete system.
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Duct Mechanic, LimitedGENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Authorized to fabricate, install, repair or extend ductwork under the supervision of a Master Contractor.

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 Kentucky

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services
  • Address: 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
  • Phone: (502) 564-5920
  • Email: [email protected]​

Federal Prevailing Wage in Kentucky

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Kentucky earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Kentucky general wage determinations show approximately $33.53 per hour in base pay plus $26.71 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $60.24 (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 Kentucky

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati2,950$62,240$65,290$39,750$96,400
Louisville/Jefferson County1,890$58,930$60,030$45,870$78,740
Lexington-Fayette740$60,280$61,430$37,470$81,180
Huntington-Ashland360$48,860$52,080$35,780$73,400
Clarksville330$50,480$53,720$38,530$71,790
Bowling Green230$55,230$54,900$39,240$74,260
Elizabethtown160$55,740$54,320$34,190$78,450
Owensboro160$60,060$62,230$46,320$81,030
Paducah90$56,610$57,340$44,970$78,110

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 Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 5,100 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 Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Housing, Building and Construction for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kentucky. You can also contact the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do hvac technicians earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Kentucky is $58,620, which is $1,190 below the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

Top local programs

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Department of Housing, Building and Construction - Licensing Information: http://dhbc.ky.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

  5. Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

  6. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)