Introduction
In Arizona's desert heat, HVAC technicians are essential to ensuring comfortable living conditions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the Phoenix metropolitan area has the tenth-highest employment level for HVAC technicians in the country as of May 2022. Arizona's climate ranges from hot summers to cold desert nights, making reliable HVAC systems crucial. This demand creates opportunities for those willing to pursue HVAC education and training in the state. HVAC technicians in Arizona can obtain licenses in air conditioning and refrigeration, commercial refrigeration, or comfort heating, ventilating, and evaporative cooling. Each license has specific requirements, offering various pathways for aspiring professionals.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Arizona
The need for HVAC technicians in Arizona remains robust. Nationally, the BLS forecasts a 6 percent growth in HVAC technician jobs from 2022 to 2032, adding approximately 37,700 jobs. Projections Central estimates a 30.6 percent increase in HVAC job opportunities in Arizona from 2020 to 2030.
The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area is a significant hub for HVAC employment, with around 5,920 HVAC professionals employed as of May 2022.
HVAC technicians in Arizona work in various settings, handling maintenance, troubleshooting, and installation of heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation systems, including geothermal, oil-burning, and electric systems. Certifications from organizations like North American Technician Excellence (NATE) or HVAC Excellence enhance job prospects.
HVAC companies in Arizona provide regular maintenance services and system replacements every ten years, ensuring steady demand. The intense summer heat in Arizona also causes seasonal spikes, requiring HVAC workers to be available during peak seasons.
Job opportunities for HVAC technicians are abundant on job boards. As of May 2024, Indeed listed over 400 HVAC job openings in Phoenix alone, with employers such as Desert Diamond Mechanical, SLAP Alliance Trade Services, Ground Zero Plumbing & AC LLC, and many others offering competitive salaries and benefits (Indeed).
This robust demand makes it an ideal time to pursue an HVAC career in Arizona.
Schools in Arizona
Carrington College-Phoenix North
2149 W Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85051-4063
Phone: (602) 393-5900
URL: carrington.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1048
- Total Faculty: 55
Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive Institute
6829 N 46th Ave
Glendale, Arizona 85301-3579
Phone: (623) 934-7273
URL: www.aai.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 411
- Total Faculty: 22
Arizona Western College
2020 S. Avenue 8E
Yuma, Arizona 85365-8834
Phone: (928) 317-6000
URL: www.azwestern.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 8050
- Total Faculty: 407
Central Arizona College
8470 N Overfield Rd
Coolidge, Arizona 85128-9030
Phone: (520) 494-5444
URL: www.centralaz.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4652
- Total Faculty: 183
Cochise County Community College District
901 N Colombo Ave
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635-2317
Phone: (520) 515-0500
URL: www.cochise.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 3797
- Total Faculty: 235
Eastern Arizona College
615 N. Stadium Ave.
Thatcher, Arizona 85552-0769
Phone: (928) 428-8272
URL: www.eac.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4864
- Total Faculty: 227
GateWay Community College
108 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
Phone: (602) 392-5000
URL: www.gatewaycc.edu/
This school is a 4 year primarily associate's Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate, Associate's degree, Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor's degree. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4699
- Total Faculty: 376
Mohave Community College
1971 Jagerson Ave
Kingman, Arizona 86409-1238
Phone: (928) 757-4331
URL: www.mohave.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4038
- Total Faculty: 234
Pima Community College
4905C East Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275
Phone: (520) 206-4500
URL: www.pima.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 15293
- Total Faculty: 744
Refrigeration School Inc
4210 E Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034-1816
Phone: (602) 275-7133
URL: www.rsi.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1006
- Total Faculty: 28
Yavapai College
1100 E Sheldon St
Prescott, Arizona 86301
Phone: (928) 445-7300
URL: www.yc.edu/
This school is a 4 year primarily associate's Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree|Bachelor's degree. The campus is located in a small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 6997
- Total Faculty: 315
GateWay Community College-Central City
1245 E Buckeye
Phoenix, Arizona 85034-4101
Phone: (602) 238-4300
URL: www.gatewaycc.edu/about-gateway/central-city-campus
This school is a < 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 443
Coconino Community College
2800 S. Lone Tree Rd.
Flagstaff, Arizona 86005-2701
Phone: (928) 527-1222
URL: www.coconino.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2535
- Total Faculty: 127
East Valley Institute of Technology
1601 W Main St
Mesa, Arizona 85201
Phone: (480) 461-4000
URL: www.evit.com/
This school is a < 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 600
UEI College-Phoenix
9215 N. Black Canyon Highway
Phoenix, Arizona 85021-2718
Phone: (623) 888-5261
URL: www.uei.edu/
This school is a less than 2 year Private for-profit college that offers One but less than two years certificate. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1422
Western Maricopa Education Center
6997 N Glen Harbor Blvd
Glendale, Arizona 85307
Phone: (623) 738-0022
URL: west-mec.edu/findyourhappy
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 223
UEI College-Mesa
1420 W. Southern Avenue
Suite D
Mesa, Arizona 85202
Phone: (408) 885-8901
URL: www.uei.edu/
This school is a less than 2 year Private for-profit college that offers One but less than two years certificate. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 676
HVAC Worker Salaries in Arizona
The BLS (May 2023) reported that HVAC mechanics and installers nationwide earned a median salary of $57,300. In Arizona, the median salary for HVAC technicians was $54,910 annually.
The following table compares the national and state salaries for HVAC professionals:
| Percentile | United States | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,170 | $35,250 |
| 25th | $44,100 | $39,990 |
| 50th | $51,390 | $48,980 |
| 75th | $65,630 | $62,830 |
| 90th | $82,630 | $79,710 |
According to Indeed (2024), the average HVAC technician salary in Arizona is approximately $28.32 per hour, with salaries ranging from $17.92 to $44.77 per hour. Overtime pay averages around $6,750 per year. Salary.com (2024) reports the average annual salary for an HVAC technician in Arizona is $62,022, typically ranging between $55,225 and $69,782. ZipRecruiter (2024) indicates the average HVAC technician salary in Arizona is $49,817 annually or $23.95 per hour, with the top earners making up to $74,551 per year.
When considering salary data, it is essential to account for the cost of living. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023), Arizona ranks 36th in affordability, making it more expensive than many states.
The BLS provides employment data for eight regions within Arizona. The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area employs approximately 5,920 HVAC professionals, earning an average annual salary of $54,910.
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Arizona
There are three categories of licenses offered for HVAC technicians in Arizona, all through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors:
C-39 License:
- Applies to air conditioning and refrigeration.
- Allows technicians to install, alter, and repair refrigeration and evaporative cooling systems.
- Includes work with solar technology.
- Classified as a specialty residential contracting license.
C-49 License:
- Designated for commercial and industrial refrigeration.
- Covers the installation, alteration, and repair of refrigeration equipment for processing, storage, and display of food products and other perishables.
- Includes commercial, industrial, and manufacturing refrigeration processes.
C-58 License:
- Focuses on comfort heating, ventilating, and evaporative cooling.
- Includes the installation, alteration, and repair of warm air heating systems, gas-fired furnaces and space heaters, ventilation units, and evaporative cooling units.
In addition to state-specific licenses, HVAC technicians working with refrigerants must obtain the EPA Section 608 certification. This certification is required nationally and has four types:
- Type I: For servicing small appliances.
- Type II: For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, excluding small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC).
- Type III: For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.
- Type IV: Universal certification for all types of equipment.
Most HVAC training programs prepare students for the EPA Section 608 certification exam. It is crucial for aspiring HVAC technicians to verify specific credential requirements in the region they wish to work.