How to Become An HVAC Technician in Nevada
Nevada employs approximately 4,170 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,510 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 Nevada, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Nevada
How do I become an hvac technician in Nevada? Nevada requires credentials such as Plumbing and Heating Contractor (C1), Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor (C21). The licensing authority is the State Contractors’ Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 10 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Nevada? Yes. Nevada has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The State Contractors’ Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Nevada? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Nevada is $60,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,040 and experienced professionals can earn $89,750 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: State Contractors’ Board
- Median wage (Nevada): $60,510 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Nevada
The State Contractors’ Board oversees hvac technician licensing in Nevada 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing and Heating Contractor (C1) | Applicants must: 1) Have four years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the specific classification in which he/she is applying. |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor (C21) | Applicants must: 1) Have four years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the specific classification in which he/she is applying. |
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 Nevada
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Nevada’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Office of the Labor Commissioner
- Address: 3340 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89102
- Phone: (702) 486-2650
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Nevada
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Nevada
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Nevada vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas | 3,150 | $60,240 | $62,480 | $40,760 | $88,870 |
| Reno | 760 | $61,940 | $65,340 | $47,090 | $94,700 |
| Carson City | 100 | $62,400 | $65,060 | $48,490 | $81,620 |
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 Nevada
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Nevada according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas | 3,150 | $60,240 |
| Reno | 760 | $61,940 |
| Carson City | 100 | $62,400 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Nevada
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Nevada earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Nevada general wage determinations show approximately $65.79 per hour in base pay plus $26.55 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $92.34 (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 Nevada? Nevada currently employs approximately 4,170 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 Nevada with an out-of-state license? Contact the State Contractors’ Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Nevada? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Nevada. You can also contact the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Nevada compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Nevada is $60,510, which is $700 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
State Contractors’ Board - Licensing Information: http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner: http://owinn.nv.gov/Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Home/ ↩︎
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) |