How to Become An HVAC Technician in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 15,880 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,400 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 Pennsylvania, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Pennsylvania
How do I become an hvac technician in Pennsylvania? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for hvac technicians in Pennsylvania.
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.
What do hvac technicians earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Pennsylvania is $62,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,970 and experienced professionals can earn $89,440 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $62,400 per year 1
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Pennsylvania
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship and Training Office, PA Department of Labor and Industry
- Address: 1301 Labor and Industry Building, Harrisburg, PA 17121
- Phone: (800) 932-0665
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 8,610 | $64,580 | $69,440 | $45,510 | $100,800 |
| Pittsburgh | 2,680 | $62,140 | $64,620 | $46,480 | $92,710 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,000 | $63,130 | $67,380 | $48,400 | $94,580 |
| Lancaster | 940 | $60,530 | $62,360 | $47,360 | $79,490 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 910 | $62,570 | $66,150 | $48,040 | $86,910 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 650 | $61,750 | $63,430 | $46,080 | $89,510 |
| York-Hanover | 560 | $61,970 | $64,020 | $45,740 | $91,270 |
| Reading | 510 | $61,740 | $63,530 | $46,970 | $81,500 |
| Chambersburg | 230 | $62,090 | $62,830 | $46,350 | $79,970 |
| Erie | 230 | $58,990 | $59,260 | $39,430 | $82,540 |
| Lebanon | 200 | $62,370 | $63,390 | $46,840 | $82,300 |
| State College | 190 | $57,970 | $57,320 | $45,250 | $73,300 |
| Johnstown | 140 | $54,050 | $54,790 | $39,370 | $74,450 |
| Williamsport | 120 | $59,260 | $60,020 | $44,310 | $79,630 |
| Altoona | 100 | $58,550 | $59,230 | $38,800 | $82,940 |
| Gettysburg | 90 | $60,530 | $61,890 | $48,020 | $76,070 |
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 Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 8,610 | $64,580 |
| Pittsburgh | 2,680 | $62,140 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,000 | $63,130 |
| Lancaster | 940 | $60,530 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 910 | $62,570 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Pennsylvania
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Pennsylvania earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Pennsylvania general wage determinations show approximately $50.20 per hour in base pay plus $30.62 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $80.82 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 4.
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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 15,880 hvac technicians 1. Nationally, hvac technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania. You can also contact the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Pennsylvania is $62,400, which is $2,590 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - 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) |