Skilled Trades
HVAC Technician
Install and service heating, ventilation, and AC systems. Year-round demand and a clear path to owning your own company.
no-degree-requiredhigh-demandpaid-traininghands-on
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$42k
$62k
$95k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+9%
+9% (Faster than avg)
Open positions
38,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Trade School In Person
HVAC Certificate + EPA 608
Time
6–12 months
Cost
$3,500 – $15,000
EPA 608 is federally required.
Fastest ROI
Apprenticeship In Person
Journeyman HVAC
Time
3–5 years (paid)
Cost
Paid / Free
Paid while training, no school debt.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown
What are the odds
you actually get there?
Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.
84
Composite
Attainability Score
Data-backed
- Educational difficultyHow hard the required schooling is to complete9020%
- Licensing & examsPass rates and difficulty of required exams7815%
- Entry-job competitionHow many applicants per open entry-level role8520%
- Career stay-rateInverse of early-career attrition / industry exit7515%
- Market demandOpenings vs available workforce9015%
- Alternative pathsHow many viable ways exist to enter the field8515%
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
3–5 years (paid)
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$42,000
Mid-career
$62,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · ACCA