How to Become an HVAC Technician in North Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Carolina employs about 15,230 hvac technicians earning a median $57,260 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an hvac technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the NC Board of Electrical Contractors credentialing requirements.

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in North Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
160.4Contact school for pricing$58,40465%—26 mi
253.1$2,672 in-state / $8,816 out-of-state$44,89248%Yes*35 mi
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352.6$2,792 in-state / $8,936 out-of-state$48,44131%Yes*1 mi
451.1$3,186 in-state / $9,330 out-of-stateNot reported63%Yes*20 mi
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550.2$2,641 in-state / $8,785 out-of-state$43,46528%Yes*38 mi
647.2$2,064 in-state / $6,672 out-of-state$43,91635%Yes*35 mi
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746.6$2,602 in-state / $8,746 out-of-state$41,98532%Yes*37 mi
845.0$2,022 in-state / $6,630 out-of-state$46,65738%Yes*39 mi
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940.4$8,036 in-state / $13,340 out-of-state$47,73830%—22 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

North Carolina employs approximately 15,230 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,260 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 North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Licensing authority: NC Board of Electrical Contractors
  • Median wage (North Carolina): $57,260 per year 1
  • Exam requirement: State exam required

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in North Carolina

How to become an HVAC Technician in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Heating Group 3 Technician, Heating Group 2 Technician License (Private Educational Institution). The licensing authority is the NC Board of Electrical Contractors 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths into the hvac technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The NC Board of Electrical Contractors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do hvac technicians earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in North Carolina is $57,260 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,780 and experienced professionals can earn $77,160 or more 1.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in North Carolina

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Carolina training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in North Carolina that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the NC Board of Electrical Contractors, pass the required examination, and obtain the hvac technician credential before working unsupervised in North Carolina.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

HVAC Technician License Requirements in North Carolina

The NC Board of Electrical Contractors oversees hvac technician licensing in North Carolina 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air ConditioningThis license allows individuals to install, maintain, or repair electric wiring or devices only as an incident to the licensee?s plumbing, heating, or air conditioning business.
Heating Group 3 TechnicianSee the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 2 Technician License (Private Educational Institution)See the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 1 Technician (Private Educational Institution)See the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 3 Technician (Private Educational Institution)See the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 1 TechnicianSee the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 2 TechnicianSee the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 1 Technician (State & Local Government)See the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 2 Technician (State & Local Government)See the state licensing board for current requirements.
Heating Group 3 Technician (State & Local Government)See the state licensing board for current requirements.

Additional Requirements

  • Background check: Background check required
  • Exam: State exam required
  • Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in North Carolina

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships 5.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Forsyth Tech Apprenticeship Program
  • Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
  • Phone: (336) 723-0371
  • Email: [email protected]

Federal Prevailing Wage in North Carolina

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in North Carolina earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent North Carolina general wage determinations show approximately $33.96 per hour in base pay plus $13.48 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $47.44 (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.

HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia3,860$59,840$59,940$40,110$79,210
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk2,840$59,470$58,380$39,220$76,960
Raleigh-Cary2,550$58,900$58,490$39,160$77,830
Greensboro-High Point1,170$58,520$58,180$38,010$76,380
Durham-Chapel Hill750$59,180$58,480$39,560$77,360
Wilmington710$49,860$52,560$37,080$73,270
Winston-Salem700$55,360$55,660$37,770$74,610
Asheville660$58,120$57,540$43,520$75,980
Fayetteville490$56,220$55,300$36,810$72,810
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton300$50,300$52,700$36,880$73,240
Burlington280$52,450$55,500$37,490$73,940
Greenville220$53,160$53,410$36,830$72,630
Jacksonville210$48,570$50,760$34,760$71,480
Goldsboro160$51,540$51,880$35,860$70,970
Pinehurst-Southern Pines160$52,580$53,190$36,460$63,610
Rocky Mount150$55,690$55,260$37,940$70,980

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 15,230 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 North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board of Electrical Contractors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina. You can also contact the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do hvac technicians earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in North Carolina is $57,260, which is $2,550 below the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In North Carolina

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. NC Board of Electrical Contractors - Licensing Information: http://www.ncbeec.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

  5. North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

  6. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)