Introduction
In Indiana, the combination of chilly winters and hot summers highlights the crucial role of HVAC professionals and systems. This creates a favorable environment for those aiming to embark on a career in HVAC. Indiana offers robust opportunities for HVAC training and innovation in climate control technologies.
Indiana is not only rich in educational opportunities for HVAC systems but also boasts a strong networking community to support professional growth. The Indiana HVAC Association, for instance, is a non-profit organization that includes HVAC workers and contractors dedicated to delivering top-notch expertise and promoting excellent customer service and business practices across the industry.
HVAC technicians in Indiana have diverse responsibilities, such as installing, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC systems and components (e.g., heat pumps, fans, ducts, wiring, motors, piping, controls, furnaces, boilers, heaters, humidifiers). They use manifold gauge sets, calculate heat losses and loads, perform soldering and brazing, ensure tools and inventories are stocked, maintain detailed client records, and keep all necessary HVAC credentials up to date.
Some HVAC professionals opt to become generalists, while others specialize in specific systems (e.g., commercial refrigeration, oil heating, residential units). Although there is no state licensing for HVAC workers as per the Indiana State Government Business Owner’s Guide, local permits and credentials may vary. Additionally, all US HVAC technicians handling refrigerants must obtain the EPA Section 608 certification due to the regulatory requirements for handling these chemicals.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Indiana
During the cold winters in Indiana, residents depend on climate control systems to keep homes and businesses safe and warm; therefore, there is typically a steady stream of work, particularly in regions of the state such as Indianapolis, which has relatively high population growth and a booming construction industry.
As in other parts of the country, some HVAC workers in Indiana work normal business hours, while others may be called upon to service equipment on weekends, evenings, or even holidays. Since many systems come with service contracts and HVAC equipment generally needs to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, these skilled professionals can find work throughout the year.
Aspiring HVAC installers and mechanics should be aware that this line of work incurs a relatively high rate of injury compared to other occupations in the US. This is due to the physical nature of the work, which carries a higher-than-average risk of muscle strains, tears, electrical shock, and burns. That said, with proper training, prudence, and safety equipment, HVAC workers can usually guard themselves against these maladies.
As a further testament to the thriving employment climate for HVAC workers in Indiana, Indeed (May 2024) posted 620 relevant jobs across the state, including opportunities at Trane Technologies, Johnson Controls, Carrier, Siemens, and Comfort Systems USA. Additionally, Monster (May 2024) listed several HVAC jobs in Indiana at companies such as Service Experts, Lennox International, and EMCOR Group.
Schools in Indiana
Ivy Tech Community College
50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208-5752
Phone: (317) 921-4800
URL: www.ivytech.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: 89705
- Total Faculty: 3215
Vincennes University
1002 N First St
Vincennes, Indiana 47591
Phone: (812) 888-8888
URL: www.vinu.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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 16773
- Total Faculty: 698
Fortis College-Indianapolis
9001 N Wesleyan Rd Ste 101
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
Phone: (317) 808-4800
URL: www.fortis.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit college that offers 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: 279
- Total Faculty: 15
HVAC Worker Salaries in Indiana
Not only is the career outlook very bright for HVAC professionals in Indiana, but so too are the salary prospects in this field, especially for a career requiring only one to two years of postsecondary training.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) found that the 380,000 HVAC professionals nationwide earned an average annual salary (mean wage) of $58,000, while the mean salary of Indiana’s 7,500 employed HVAC workers was $57,000.
It is important to note that the cost of living is dramatically lower in Indiana than in most states. In fact, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) reported that Indiana is the 14th most affordable state in the US. Please keep this fact in mind while evaluating both the national and Indiana-based salaries in HVAC.
Following are the more detailed salary percentiles for HVAC professionals nationwide as compared to Indiana (BLS May 2023). This is the latest data available as of May 2024:
| Percentile | United States | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC Professionals Employed | 380,000 | 7,500 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $58,000 | $57,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $37,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $46,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $52,000 | $53,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,000 | $65,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,000 | $84,000 |
It’s worth noting that these countrywide figures varied by the source of data. PayScale (May 2024)—a site that relies on people’s self-reported salaries—found the following percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $36,000
- 50th percentile (median): $55,000
- 90th percentile: $85,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Indiana
In addition to completing a qualifying apprenticeship or training program, HVAC professionals in Indiana must pursue all necessary credentialing before seeking employment in this field. There is one mandatory credential for all people nationally who work with refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 certification. There are four categories of this certification:
- Type 1 (small appliances)
- Type 2 (high-pressure appliances)
- Type 3 (low-pressure appliances)
- Universal
Several organizations offer competency-based certifications in HVAC. To qualify for these certification exams, candidates typically need to have at least one to two years of experience and 144+ hours of technical education. Other certifications may call for letters from employers or additional prerequisites. The HVAC certification agencies across the country include:
- North American Technician Excellence (e.g., Industry Competency Exam or ICE)
- HVAC Excellence (e.g., Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology Plus, Carbon Monoxide Safety, Fuel Oil Combustion, Light Commercial Air Conditioning, Systems Diagnostics & Troubleshooting)
- National Occupational Competency Testing Institute
- Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (e.g., Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator, Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator)
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
To explore the range of national HVAC credentials available, please visit the HVAC certification page.
Aspiring HVAC workers in Indiana must also ensure they have the appropriate local credentialing. According to the Indiana State Government Business Owner’s Guide, the only construction contractors licensed by the state of Indiana are plumbers. However, HVAC licensing among municipalities within Indiana varies widely.
For example, the City of Indianapolis issues HVAC/R Contractor Licenses to individuals, contracting companies, and LLCs. According to local legislation (Sec. 875-301), there are three main types of HVAC licenses:
- Air Conditioning “A” – Unrestricted
- Air Conditioning “B” – Restricted (i.e., 25 tons cooling, 500,000 BTUs heating, boiler pressures not exceeding 15 PSIG steam, and 30 PSIG water)
- Air Conditioning “D” – 5 tons cooling/300,000 BTUs heating, refrigeration, and high-pressure steam
To qualify for a contractor license, a person must have at least five years of experience and three signed customer reference letters. These local licenses are valid for two years and can be renewed following the submission of a fee and a renewal application.
Since local legislation regarding HVAC credentials varies between regions of the state, interested workers and contracting businesses in Indiana are encouraged to contact their local government officials for details.