--- title: "HVAC Apprenticeship: How It Works and How to Get One" description: "How HVAC and refrigeration apprenticeships work: who sponsors them, three to five years of training, the EPA 608 card, apprentice pay and getting hired." url: https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/hvac/ updated: 2026-10-11 site: ShapeMyCareer --- Apprenticeships ยท HVAC # HVAC apprenticeship Heating, cooling and refrigeration, learned on paid service calls. The paid route into heating and air Many HVAC techs go to school first, but an apprenticeship skips the tuition and puts you on real equipment from the start. You ride along with a service tech or work on an install crew, and take classes on electrical controls, refrigeration and airflow. In short HVAC apprenticeships typically last three to five years, according to BLS, mixing paid work with classes in electrical theory, refrigeration and code. Sponsors include union pipe trades and sheet metal locals, contractor associations and individual companies. You will need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerant. HVAC mechanics earned a median $61,010 in May 2025, and jobs are projected to grow 10.9% by 2035. **Sources checked October 11, 2026** Pay, training and outlook come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay is the middle (median) figure nationally; your first paycheck in the trade will usually be lower. **On this page** 1. [ Who sponsors HVAC apprenticeships](#s-who-sponsors-hvac-apprenticeships) 2. [School first, or apprentice first?](#s-school-first-or-apprentice-first) 3. [What you will work on](#s-what-you-will-work-on) 4. [Straight answers](#s-faq) | Middle pay | $61,010 a year, roughly $29.33 an hour (May 2025) | |---|---| | How most people start | Certificate to start, then long-term on-the-job training | | People in the trade | About 440,900 nationwide (2025) | | Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 10.9% growth | | Openings a year | Around 40,600, counting retirements | | Typical length | 3 to 5 years | | Required card | EPA Section 608 for anyone who handles refrigerant | From the [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm) Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure. ## Who sponsors HVAC apprenticeships | Sponsor | Focus | |---|---| | United Association locals | HVAC service, refrigeration and pipefitting | | SMART sheet metal locals | Ductwork, air balancing and some service work | | ACCA, PHCC and ABC chapters | Merit shop programs for member contractors | | Single employers | Larger service companies and facility owners run their own registered programs | ## School first, or apprentice first? School programs run about six months to two years and can make you easier to hire. An apprenticeship takes longer but pays you the whole way. Some people do a short certificate, get hired as a helper and then join their employer's apprenticeship. Either way, the work hours count toward any state license. Get your EPA 608 card early. It is a federal requirement for anyone who opens a refrigerant circuit, and having it before you apply shows you are serious. ### Rather start with an HVAC program? Tell us your ZIP and we will send HVAC schools and training options near you. [Find training near me](#smc-form) ## What you will work on Expect residential furnaces and heat pumps early, then commercial rooftop units, chillers, boilers and controls as you progress. Electrical troubleshooting is a big part of the job, so brush up on [Ohm's law](https://shapemycareer.com/test-prep/ohms-law/) before you start. ## Straight answers ### How long is an HVAC apprenticeship? BLS says three to five years. Union pipe trades programs are often five. ### Do HVAC apprentices need EPA certification? Yes, before handling refrigerant. Many programs build the exam into the first year. ### How much do HVAC apprentices make? Apprentices earn a share of the full technician rate that rises with time. Our [HVAC pay page](https://shapemycareer.com/salary/hvac-technician/) shows the full range. ### Can I get an HVAC apprenticeship without school? Yes. Apprenticeships are designed for beginners, though some employers prefer applicants with a short program or helper experience. ## Where this comes from - [BLS OOH: HVACR Mechanics and Installers](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm) - [Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm) - [EPA Section 608 Technician Certification](https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-0) - [Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship Job Finder](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder) - [BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025 to 2035)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm) ## Keep looking - [HVAC](https://shapemycareer.com/trades/hvac/) - [HVAC salary](https://shapemycareer.com/salary/hvac-technician/) - [Apprentice pay calculator](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/apprentice-pay-calculator/) - [Ohm's law](https://shapemycareer.com/test-prep/ohms-law/) - [Apprenticeships](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/) - [Apprentice pay](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/apprentice-pay/) - [Boilermaker apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/boilermaker/) - [Carpenter apprenticeship](https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/carpenter/) --- Canonical page: https://shapemycareer.com/apprenticeships/hvac/