How to Become An HVAC Technician in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 12,590 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,850 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Michigan
How do I become an hvac technician in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Mechanical Contractor. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes 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 Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Michigan is $60,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,210 and experienced professionals can earn $95,290 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes
- Median wage (Michigan): $60,850 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees hvac technician licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Contractor | Mechanical contractors must have three years of experience and pass an exam before becoming licensed. The fee for this license is $300.00. |
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 Michigan
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Michigan’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
- Phone: (810) 762-0200
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 5,740 | $63,170 | $66,680 | $42,840 | $95,610 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,920 | $60,190 | $64,200 | $43,710 | $94,590 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 490 | $60,440 | $63,430 | $40,030 | $93,480 |
| Ann Arbor | 460 | $75,000 | $74,760 | $46,620 | $101,310 |
| Flint | 430 | $59,870 | $62,420 | $39,120 | $95,570 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 430 | $61,270 | $64,990 | $43,930 | $97,920 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 370 | $59,460 | $64,080 | $38,660 | $97,500 |
| Niles | 240 | $58,130 | $58,050 | $38,710 | $79,580 |
| Saginaw | 210 | $60,060 | $65,390 | $38,790 | $98,260 |
| Traverse City | 210 | $60,590 | $61,210 | $39,010 | $91,450 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 180 | $56,550 | $56,330 | $38,250 | $78,890 |
| Battle Creek | 130 | $60,100 | $59,920 | $41,290 | $73,900 |
| Monroe | 130 | $59,340 | $61,100 | $37,450 | $95,290 |
| Jackson | 110 | $61,220 | $68,420 | $44,010 | $97,820 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 90 | $60,810 | $62,100 | $45,200 | $93,730 |
| Midland | 90 | $56,490 | $57,040 | $35,470 | $80,640 |
| Bay City | 70 | $60,170 | $59,920 | $36,040 | $81,330 |
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 Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 5,740 | $63,170 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,920 | $60,190 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 490 | $60,440 |
| Ann Arbor | 460 | $75,000 |
| Flint | 430 | $59,870 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Michigan
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Michigan earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Michigan general wage determinations show approximately $42.51 per hour in base pay plus $35.77 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $78.28 (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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 12,590 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Michigan is $60,850, which is $1,040 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_10575—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |