How to Become An HVAC Technician in New Jersey
New Jersey employs approximately 10,330 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $74,450 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 New Jersey, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in New Jersey
How do I become an hvac technician in New Jersey? New Jersey requires credentials such as HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION CONTRACTOR, REFRIGERATION ENGINEER, BLUE SEAL. The licensing authority is the Department of Law and Public Safety - State Cemetery Board 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 New Jersey? Yes. New Jersey has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The Department of Law and Public Safety - State Cemetery Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in New Jersey is $74,450 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,020 and experienced professionals can earn $116,550 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 Law and Public Safety - State Cemetery Board
- Median wage (New Jersey): $74,450 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
HVAC Technician License Requirements in New Jersey
The Department of Law and Public Safety - State Cemetery Board oversees hvac technician licensing in New Jersey 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION CONTRACTOR | |
| REFRIGERATION ENGINEER, BLUE SEAL |
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 New Jersey
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Jersey’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Cape May County Technical Schools
- Address: 188 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
- Phone: (609) 380-0200
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 21,820 | $77,990 | $79,730 | $50,690 | $108,780 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 8,610 | $64,580 | $69,440 | $45,510 | $100,800 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,000 | $63,130 | $67,380 | $48,400 | $94,580 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 480 | $60,640 | $64,700 | $44,560 | $88,930 |
| Trenton-Princeton | 430 | $75,240 | $75,560 | $47,730 | $111,720 |
| Vineland | 290 | $68,250 | $74,100 | $45,510 | $119,190 |
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 New Jersey
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within New Jersey according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 480 | $60,640 |
| Trenton-Princeton | 430 | $75,240 |
| Vineland | 290 | $68,250 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Atlantic City, Trenton, and Vineland.
Federal Prevailing Wage in New Jersey
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in New Jersey earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent New Jersey general wage determinations show approximately $56.30 per hour in base pay plus $50.76 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $107.06 (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 New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 10,330 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 New Jersey with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Law and Public Safety - State Cemetery Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Jersey. You can also contact the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in New Jersey is $74,450, which is $14,640 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 Law and Public Safety - State Cemetery Board - Licensing Information: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/cemetery/cem_actions.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
New Jersey Department of Labor and 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) |