Top 8 States to Work in HVAC

Top 8 States to Work in HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installers and mechanics, also known as HVAC technicians, work on heating, ventilation, and cooling systems that regulate the temperature and air quality in commercial and residential buildings. You are responsible for improving system performance, from installing and maintaining HVAC systems to regularly inspecting and testing components. 

Some technicians concentrate on one or more aspects of HVAC, such as solar panels, radiant heating systems, commercial refrigeration, or testing and balancing.  

This article will discuss the top eight states that pay the highest salaries to HVAC technicians in the U.S. We also shed light on how to become an HVAC professional and the job outlook for this occupation. 

Overview of HVAC Job Growth 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average HVAC salary is around $48,630 per year ($23.38 per hour). Indeed, a leading career site, reports that an average HVAC technician’s salary in the U.S. also includes roughly $6,375 in overtime per year along with several other benefits such as 401(k), cell phone reimbursement, company truck, and more. The profession has an expected growth rate of 5% from 2020 to 2030. On average, about 38,500 openings for HVAC technicians and installers are expected annually over the decade. 

Top 8 High-Paying States for HVAC Professionals 

Here are the best states for HVAC technicians in terms of job opportunities, salary, and career growth. 

1. District of Columbia     

The District of Columbia offers the highest average salary to HVAC technicians ($70,130 per year or $33.72 per hour). About 460 jobs are advertised each year for skilled HVAC professionals, which translates into 0.70 jobs per 1,000 jobs in other occupations. 

2. Alaska      

Next on our list of the best states for HVAC technicians is Alaska which offers a yearly average salary of $70,100 per year ($33.70 per hour). Each year, the state announces 540 jobs for HVAC professionals. Most HVAC technicians find employment with building equipment contractors, merchant wholesalers, and direct selling establishments. 

3. Hawaii      

Hawaii offers 1,360  jobs each year to HVAC technicians and installers, which translates into 2.48 jobs per 1,000 employments in the state. A location quotient of 0.98 indicates that this occupation has a similar share of employment than average in the area. You can expect to earn an hourly income of $33.22 or $69,100 per year. 

4. New Jersey        

HVAC technicians working in New Jersey make an average hourly wage of $32.91 ($68,460 yearly). About 9,160 jobs are advertised each year for trained HVAC installers, translating into 2.38 employments per 1,000 jobs in the state. 

5. New York 

New York provides 22,240 jobs each year to HVAC professionals (2.57 jobs per 1,000 employments). A location quotient of 1.01 indicates that this occupation has a slightly higher share than all other professions in the area. HVAC technicians in New York can expect to earn $31.82 per hour or $66,180 per year, on average. 

6. California 

With 32,640 jobs advertised each year, California is the next best state for HVAC technicians that wish to earn an average salary of $29.65 per hour or $61,670 per year. There are almost 1.97 jobs for HVAC per 1,000 jobs in other occupations. 

7. Pennsylvania     

Pennsylvania offers an average hourly wage of $25.89 to HVAC technicians ($53,840 every year). About 18,110 new jobs are posted each year for HVAC professionals in the state, translating into 3.24 jobs per 1,000 employments. A location quotient of 1.28 indicates that this occupation has a higher share than average in the state. 

8. Montana 

Montana offers 1,540 jobs each year to HVAC professionals (3.28 jobs per 1,000 employments). A location quotient of 1.30 means you’ll have a greater chance of finding an HVAC job than in any other profession. If you choose to work in this state, you can expect to make $25.12 per hour or $52,250 per year. 

How to Become an HVAC Technician 

As HVAC systems have become increasingly intricate, employers usually prefer candidates with postsecondary education or those who have completed a traineeship. Some states may even necessitate HVAC technicians to obtain a license. You may also have to pass a background check before securing employment. 

Completing a training program in HVAC provides you with a professional qualification as a technician. You get theoretical and practical knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) obliges all technicians working with refrigerants to receive certification in appropriate refrigerant handling. Several trade institutes, employer associations, and unions provide training programs designed to prepare applicants for the EPA certification exam. 

Apart from training, you also need a wide range of skills that may help you in carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of an HVAC technician. For instance, you will need technical skills to operate advanced tools and interpret blueprints, which may help you when working on complex tasks. You will also need soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and responsiveness, to help improve your workplace experience. 

Become an HVAC Professional with ed2go 

ed2go partners with over 2,000 colleges and universities to offer 100% online HVAC training and certification. In just 12 months, you will be well-equipped to find an entry-level job in this field. The best part is that everything is completely online and self-paced, so you can easily fit learning into your busy schedule. Open enrollment allows you to register and start learning whenever you are ready. 

Through this course, you will receive hands-on training for HVAC/R service, repair, environmental challenges, and solutions. Moreover, you will learn from comprehensive materials, which include service call simulations that bring theoretical ideas to life. At the end of the course, you will be prepared to earn HVAC Excellence ESSCO Group’s Employment Ready Certificates, the NATE Ready to Work Certification, and the EPA 608 Universal Technician Certification. 

Although this course has everything you will need to enter the HVAC industry, we strongly recommend that you explore your state’s specific requirements before registration to make sure that it is the right choice for you. 

Ready to take the next step and explore the HVAC career path? Visit our course page or speak to an enrollment rep.