How to Become An HVAC Technician in Maryland
Maryland employs approximately 8,560 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $70,020 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 Maryland, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Maryland
How do I become an hvac technician in Maryland? Maryland requires credentials such as HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION CONTRACTOR, HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE, HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION LIMITED LICENSE. The licensing authority is the Maryland Department of Labor - Board for HVACR 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 Maryland? Yes. Maryland has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Maryland Department of Labor - Board for HVACR oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Maryland is $70,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,180 and experienced professionals can earn $106,740 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: Maryland Department of Labor - Board for HVACR
- Median wage (Maryland): $70,020 per year 1
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Labor - Board for HVACR oversees hvac technician licensing in Maryland 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION CONTRACTOR | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION LIMITED LICENSE | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION INACTIVE LIMITED CONTRACTOR | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION JOURNEYMAN | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION MASTER | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION JOURNEYMAN RESTRICTED | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION INSPECTOR | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION MASTER RESTRICTED | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION INACTIVE MASTER RESTRICTED | |
| HEATING, VENTILATION, A/C, & REFRIGERATION INACTIVE MASTER |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Maryland
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Maryland’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Maryland Apprenticeship & Training Program, Division of Workforce Development
- Address: 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Phone: (410) 767-2246
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Maryland vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 8,730 | $71,920 | $73,740 | $46,920 | $105,180 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 8,610 | $64,580 | $69,440 | $45,510 | $100,800 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 3,960 | $63,180 | $70,450 | $45,040 | $103,320 |
| Lexington Park | 350 | $61,840 | $70,160 | $43,130 | $112,290 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 280 | $58,410 | $60,820 | $38,040 | $87,790 |
| Salisbury | 160 | $61,220 | $65,670 | $43,690 | $98,140 |
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 Maryland
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Maryland according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 3,960 | $63,180 |
| Lexington Park | 350 | $61,840 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 280 | $58,410 |
| Salisbury | 160 | $61,220 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Baltimore, Hagerstown, and Salisbury.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Maryland
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Maryland earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Maryland general wage determinations show approximately $46.21 per hour in base pay plus $24.90 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $71.11 (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 Maryland
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- Certified Nursing Assistant in Maryland
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- Massage Therapist in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 8,560 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 Maryland with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maryland Department of Labor - Board for HVACR for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maryland. You can also contact the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Maryland is $70,020, which is $10,210 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maryland Department of Labor - Board for HVACR - Licensing Information: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/electron.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Maryland Apprenticeship and Training: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/approcc/approcclinks.shtml ↩︎
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) |