How to Become an HVAC Technician in Wisconsin (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Wisconsin employs about 6,630 hvac technicians earning a median $61,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an hvac technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing credentialing requirements.

Compare HVAC Technician Schools in Wisconsin

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
166.9$4,819 in-state / $7,084 out-of-state$53,77158%Yes*58 mi
263.9$4,844 in-state / $7,087 out-of-state$50,98550%Yes*62 mi
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362.3$4,872 in-state / $7,115 out-of-state$57,76444%Yes*18 mi
459.2$3,894 in-state / $11,874 out-of-state$56,70448%Yes*67 mi
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558.3$4,162 in-state / $14,399 out-of-state$47,58037%Yes*60 mi
656.0$4,956 in-state / $7,199 out-of-state$54,14251%Yes*30 mi
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752.5$5,184 in-state / $7,427 out-of-state$52,34625%Yes*1 mi
847.4$4,788 in-state / $14,400 out-of-state$52,82137%—48 mi
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945.1$4,267 in-state / $6,061 out-of-state$56,99134%—62 mi
10Not ratedContact school for pricingNot reportedNot reported—64 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.

Wisconsin employs approximately 6,630 hvac technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,710 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 Wisconsin, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become an HVAC Technician in Wisconsin

How to become an HVAC Technician in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as HVAC QUALIFIER, DESIGNER OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS - HVAC, UDC HVAC BUILDING INSPECTOR - ONE & TWO FAMILY HOMES. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for hvac technicians. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do hvac technicians earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Wisconsin is $61,710 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,930 and experienced professionals can earn $98,070 or more 1.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Wisconsin

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing, pass the required examination, and obtain the hvac technician credential before working unsupervised in Wisconsin.

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

HVAC Technician License Requirements in Wisconsin

The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees hvac technician licensing in Wisconsin 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
HVAC QUALIFIERReason for Credential: Pursuant to s. 101.178 (3), Stats., an individual may obtain in accordance with this section an HVAC qualifier certification from the department relative to the business of inst…
DESIGNER OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS - HVACA designer of engineering systems is an individual engaged in the preparation of plans and specifications, consultation, investigation and evaluation in connection with the preparation of plans and sp…
UDC HVAC BUILDING INSPECTOR - ONE & TWO FAMILY HOMESReason for Credential: Pursuant s. 101.88 (2), Stats., no person may conduct the inspection of one- and two-family dwellings for the purpose of administering and enforcing ch.
REFRIGERANT RECOVERY OPERATORThe regulations require that persons who recover regulated refrigerants from salvaged items must themselves hold the appropriate certification for the type of equipment being recovered, or be directly…
REFRIGERANT HANDLING TECHNICIAN2011 Wisconsin Act 146 Section 34 repealed Wis. Stat. § 101.177 effective May 4, 2012.

Additional Requirements

  • Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
  • Exam: State exam required
  • Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.

HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Information in Wisconsin

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Wisconsin’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships 5.

Contact Information:

  • Office: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
  • Address: 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
  • Phone: (608) 733-3930
  • Email: [email protected]

Federal Prevailing Wage in Wisconsin

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, hvac technicians working on federally funded construction projects in Wisconsin earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Wisconsin general wage determinations show approximately $58.03 per hour in base pay plus $29.98 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $88.01 (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.

HVAC Technician Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington2,420$77,490$76,270$48,660$100,660
Milwaukee-Waukesha1,620$62,930$70,230$46,350$99,740
Madison1,020$63,150$69,250$45,450$100,900
Green Bay420$61,340$66,590$44,840$101,290
Appleton320$61,600$67,710$45,020$102,100
La Crosse-Onalaska270$62,400$69,120$46,450$94,910
Duluth170$75,710$73,510$48,740$98,970
Racine-Mount Pleasant170$61,740$69,560$45,420$101,560
Eau Claire150$61,280$66,890$45,520$95,690
Janesville-Beloit150$59,770$61,540$40,670$91,280
Wausau140$59,110$62,390$45,370$91,560
Oshkosh-Neenah130$60,530$64,180$48,210$81,880
Kenosha120$61,260$67,190$44,300$96,290
Sheboygan120$61,580$66,160$46,630$95,210
Fond du Lac100$59,510$60,050$39,880$82,420

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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 6,630 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin. You can also contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do hvac technicians earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hvac technicians in Wisconsin is $61,710, which is $1,900 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In Wisconsin

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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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. WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

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

  5. Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/appr_stats/active_wtt.pdf ↩︎

  6. 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.

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)