How to Become An HVAC Technician in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs approximately 8,200 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,300 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 Massachusetts, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Massachusetts
How do I become an hvac technician in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE, REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division 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 Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Massachusetts is $77,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,820 and experienced professionals can earn $102,410 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: Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $77,300 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division oversees hvac technician licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE | This license allows the holder to perform refrigeration work subject to inspection under any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation under the direct supervision of a journeyman or Refrigeration Co… |
| REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN | This license allows the holder to perform refrigeration work subject to inspection under any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation but does not employ other technicians or contractors. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Massachusetts
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Massachusetts’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Division of Apprentice Training, Department of Workforce Development
- Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Phone: (617) 626-5442
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 6,050 | $78,530 | $79,890 | $50,890 | $103,050 |
| Providence-Warwick | 1,930 | $67,380 | $70,900 | $44,970 | $104,080 |
| Worcester | 800 | $73,800 | $73,430 | $48,300 | $96,800 |
| Barnstable Town | 460 | $73,330 | $72,950 | $50,870 | $96,780 |
| Springfield | 460 | $76,530 | $74,840 | $47,940 | $98,870 |
| Pittsfield | 190 | $63,900 | $70,120 | $48,250 | $98,430 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 180 | $73,370 | $71,960 | $49,150 | $92,230 |
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 Massachusetts
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 6,050 | $78,530 |
| Worcester | 800 | $73,800 |
| Barnstable Town | 460 | $73,330 |
| Springfield | 460 | $76,530 |
| Pittsfield | 190 | $63,900 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Massachusetts
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Massachusetts earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Massachusetts general wage determinations show approximately $66.58 per hour in base pay plus $39.22 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $105.80 (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 8,200 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 Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts. You can also contact the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Massachusetts is $77,300, which is $17,490 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/oi/all-active-sponors.xlsx ↩︎
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) |