How to Become An HVAC Technician in Rhode Island
Rhode Island employs approximately 1,450 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $67,370 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 Rhode Island, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An HVAC Technician in Rhode Island
How do I become an hvac technician in Rhode Island? Rhode Island requires credentials such as Refrigeration Mechanic. The licensing authority is the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation 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 Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hvac technicians earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Rhode Island is $67,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,100 and experienced professionals can earn $104,080 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: RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation
- Median wage (Rhode Island): $67,370 per year 1
HVAC Technician License Requirements in Rhode Island
The RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation oversees hvac technician licensing in Rhode Island 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration Mechanic | Lays out, fabricates, installs and maintains piping in refrigeration systems. Air conditioning mechanics do similar work but in air conditioning systems. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Rhode Island
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Rhode Island’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
- Phone: (401) 462-8536
- Email: [email protected]
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 1,930 | $67,380 | $70,900 | $44,970 | $104,080 |
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 Rhode Island
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hvac technician employment within Rhode Island according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 1,930 | $67,380 |
Explore hvac technician programs in Providence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for hvac technicians in Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 1,450 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 Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Rhode Island. You can also contact the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Rhode Island is $67,370, which is $7,560 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ ↩︎
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) |