How to Become an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Rhode Island employs about 1,450 hvac technicians earning a median $67,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an hvac technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation credentialing requirements.

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Rhode Island

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
167.8Contact school for pricing$46,17489%—5 mi
262.3$37,275$62,15160%Yes*12 mi
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361.9Contact school for pricing$61,96681%—4 mi
458.1$6,262 in-state / $11,206 out-of-state$55,07622%Yes*39 mi
Sponsored Ad
554.0Contact school for pricing$48,03774%—21 mi
653.9$5,376 in-state / $10,320 out-of-state$54,28819%Yes*28 mi
Sponsored Ad
749.8$5,832 in-state / $10,776 out-of-state$48,84022%Yes*17 mi
8Not ratedContact school for pricingNot reportedNot reported—32 mi
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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.

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.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island

How to 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 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 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.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Rhode Island

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation, pass the required examination, and obtain the hvac technician credential before working unsupervised in Rhode Island.

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

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

LicenseRequirements
Refrigeration MechanicLays 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 ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick1,930$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 .

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 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.

In Rhode Island

Top local programs

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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. RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

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

  5. 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.

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)