How to Become an HVAC Technician in Washington (2026)
Washington employs about 7,370 hvac technicians earning a median $75,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most hvac technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Washington.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Washington): $75,660/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Washington: 7,370 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.79x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 8.1% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Washington
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skagit Valley College | 72.9 | Contact school for pricing | $48,533 | 35% | Yes* | 57 mi |
| 2 | Bellingham Technical College | 69.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 44% | Yes* | 81 mi |
| 3 | Bates Technical College | 65.2 | $6,027 - $18,837 | Not reported | 43% | Yes* | 25 mi |
| 4 | Clover Park Technical College | 63.9 | $6,634 - $18,882 | $51,699 | 42% | Yes* | 31 mi |
| 5 | Renton Technical College | 63.3 | Contact school for pricing | $56,466 | 50% | Yes* | 11 mi |
| 6 | Peninsula College | 58.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,056 | 39% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 7 | Seattle Central College | 55.0 | Contact school for pricing | $60,072 | 31% | — | 1 mi |
| 8 | North Seattle College | 48.3 | $5,238 - $18,943 | $70,090 | 33% | — | 6 mi |
| 9 | UEI College-Tacoma | 26.3 | Contact school for pricing | $33,652 | 58% | — | 29 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.
Washington employs approximately 7,370 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $75,660 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 Washington, including 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
- Median wage (Washington): $75,660 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in Washington
How to become an HVAC Technician in Washington? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for hvac technicians in Washington.
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.
What do hvac technicians earn in Washington? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Washington is $75,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,810 and experienced professionals can earn $120,360 or more 1.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Washington
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Washington training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Washington that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Washington.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Washington, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Washington
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Washington’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Address: 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501-5414
- Phone: (360) 902-5320
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Washington
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Washington earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Washington general wage determinations show approximately $65.20 per hour in base pay plus $34.91 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $100.11 (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.
HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 8,730 | $71,920 | $73,740 | $46,920 | $105,180 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 3,940 | $80,100 | $85,420 | $51,380 | $129,390 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 2,580 | $65,260 | $72,700 | $48,650 | $98,810 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 610 | $62,840 | $67,410 | $45,690 | $94,380 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 520 | $75,660 | $75,250 | $47,530 | $109,220 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 270 | $76,260 | $79,680 | $46,980 | $135,580 |
| Bellingham | 240 | $72,190 | $71,730 | $48,070 | $99,260 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 180 | $74,650 | $74,050 | $47,690 | $97,130 |
| Yakima | 160 | $65,900 | $66,080 | $42,050 | $94,080 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 150 | $77,010 | $77,400 | $48,900 | $110,500 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 120 | $61,630 | $61,260 | $37,840 | $80,080 |
| Lewiston | 100 | $49,880 | $52,820 | $37,470 | $72,240 |
| Longview-Kelso | 80 | $64,400 | $71,230 | $46,920 | $99,270 |
| Walla Walla | 80 | $62,530 | $63,080 | $46,180 | $79,850 |
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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 7,370 hvac technicians 1. Nationally, hvac technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington. You can also contact the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do hvac technicians earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Washington is $75,660, which is $15,850 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.
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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
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/arts-public/#/ ↩︎
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) |