How to Become An HVAC Technician in North Carolina
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in North Carolina
How do I become an hvac technician in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Heating Group 1 Contractor (Class II), Heating Group 3 Technician. 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 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 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.
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
HVAC Technician License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board of Electrical Contractors oversees hvac technician licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning | This 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 1 Contractor (Class II) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 3 Technician | Required of any individual who is a bonafide employee of a firm licensed by a Plumbing Contractor and performs supervisory duties of the firm’s employees and their work on behalf of the contractor. |
| Heating Group 2 Technician License (Private Educational Institution) | Required of any person, firm, or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Commercial Refrigeration Contractor | Engaged in the business of contracting to install, maintain, service, and repair refrigerating machinery and devices. |
| Heating Group 2 Contractor | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 3 Contractor (Class II) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 1 Technician (Private Educational Institution) | Required of any person, firm, or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 3 Technician (Private Educational Institution) | Required of any person, firm, or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Industrial Refrigeration Contractor | All Persons, Firms Or Corporation Engaged In Refrigeration Contracting With The Use Of Ammonia As A Refrigeration Gas. |
| Heating Group 1 Technician | Required of any individual who is a bonafide employee of a firm licensed by a Heating Contractor and performs supervisory duties of the firm’s employees and their work on behalf of the contractor. |
| Heating Group 2 Technician | Required of any individual who is a bonafide employee of a firm licensed by a Plumbing Contractor and performs supervisory duties of the firm’s employees and their work on behalf of the contractor. |
| Refrigeration Service Contractor | Engages in maintenance, servicing and repairing of refrigerating machinery, equipment, devices and components |
| Heating Group 1 Technician (State & Local Government) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 1 Contractor (Class 1) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 3 Contractor (Class I) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 2 Technician (State & Local Government) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Heating Group 3 Technician (State & Local Government) | Required of any person, firm or corporation who for a valuable consideration, verifies, inspects, evaluates, tests, installs, alters or restores, or offers to verify, inspect, evaluate, test, install,… |
| Transport Refrigeration Contractor | Engaged in the business of installation, maintenance, repairing and servicing of transport refrigeration |
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]
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 (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,860 | $59,840 | $59,940 | $40,110 | $79,210 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,840 | $59,470 | $58,380 | $39,220 | $76,960 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,550 | $58,900 | $58,490 | $39,160 | $77,830 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,170 | $58,520 | $58,180 | $38,010 | $76,380 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 750 | $59,180 | $58,480 | $39,560 | $77,360 |
| Wilmington | 710 | $49,860 | $52,560 | $37,080 | $73,270 |
| Winston-Salem | 700 | $55,360 | $55,660 | $37,770 | $74,610 |
| Asheville | 660 | $58,120 | $57,540 | $43,520 | $75,980 |
| Fayetteville | 490 | $56,220 | $55,300 | $36,810 | $72,810 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 300 | $50,300 | $52,700 | $36,880 | $73,240 |
| Burlington | 280 | $52,450 | $55,500 | $37,490 | $73,940 |
| Greenville | 220 | $53,160 | $53,410 | $36,830 | $72,630 |
| Jacksonville | 210 | $48,570 | $50,760 | $34,760 | $71,480 |
| Goldsboro | 160 | $51,540 | $51,880 | $35,860 | $70,970 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 160 | $52,580 | $53,190 | $36,460 | $63,610 |
| Rocky Mount | 150 | $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 2025.
Top Metros for Hvac technicians in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,860 | $59,840 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,550 | $58,900 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,170 | $58,520 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 750 | $59,180 |
| Wilmington | 710 | $49,860 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro.
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.
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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 accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board of Electrical Contractors - Licensing Information: http://www.ncbeec.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships: 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) |