HVAC/R — heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration — is a stable, well-paid trade with year-round demand. As California electrifies buildings and heat pumps take over, skilled HVAC techs are needed more than ever. Here's how to get started.
What HVAC techs do
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair the systems that keep buildings comfortable and safe — furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and commercial refrigeration. The work blends mechanical, electrical, and problem-solving skills, and no two days look the same.
What it pays
In California, junior techs and apprentices typically start around $20–$28/hour, and experienced techs earn $35–$60/hour, with refrigeration specialists at the top of the range. Steady year-round demand makes income predictable.
Step-by-step: getting started
1. Finish high school or earn a GED
Basic math and mechanical aptitude help; no four-year degree required.
2. Get training
Two common paths:
- Apprenticeship — earn while you learn through a paid program.
- Community-college or trade-school certificate — focused classroom training, often faster to start.
3. Earn your EPA Section 608 certification
This federal certification is required to handle refrigerants. Most training programs prepare you for it.
4. Build experience and add certifications
Certifications like NATE and a California C-20 HVAC contractor license raise your pay and open the door to running your own business.
Why HVAC is a smart bet
Electrification — especially the shift to heat pumps — is creating strong new demand, while existing systems always need service. That combination makes HVAC one of the more future-proof trades. Explore HVAC in depth →
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