Introduction
Kansas experiences a diverse climate, with hot summers where July temperatures reach the mid-80s and cold winters averaging around freezing. This climate variation drives the need for effective HVAC/R systems to maintain comfort throughout the year.
Both residential and commercial properties in Kansas rely heavily on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Additionally, Kansas's significant agricultural sector, particularly livestock farming, depends on refrigeration to keep meat products fresh during processing and transportation, further boosting the demand for HVAC/R services.
Several key organizations support the HVAC/R industry in Kansas by providing training and establishing standards. These include the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City, the Kansas Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association, the Associated General Contractors of Kansas (AGC), the Kansas Building Industry Association, the Kansas Contractors Association, and UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 441.
These associations collaborate with industry professionals and government bodies to create educational programs and licensing requirements, ensuring that HVAC/R technicians in Kansas receive the necessary training to excel in their field.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Kansas
The outlook for HVAC/R technicians in Kansas is promising, with Projections Central (2024) anticipating a 7 percent increase in new positions between 2023 and 2033.
Several factors contribute to the growth of the HVAC industry. The primary driver is the increasing complexity of climate control systems and the need to replace, retrofit, or upgrade older systems. Additionally, there is a contemporary emphasis on energy efficiency and reducing pollution, coupled with the increasing demand for critical levels of humidity and temperature in the aerospace and agricultural industries. As Kansas's economy continues to improve, the construction of new buildings and residences will increase the demand for HVAC/R systems installation.
Technicians who are computer and electronics literate and possess excellent troubleshooting skills will have the best job prospects. Those who specialize in new installations may experience seasonal unemployment if construction declines. However, maintenance and repair work can be more stable, as business owners and homeowners rely on their climate-control or refrigeration systems year-round and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions.
Underscoring the healthy demand for HVAC services in Kansas is the flurry of openings across common job post websites.
Schools in Kansas
Dodge City Community College
2501 N 14th Ave
Dodge City, Kansas 67801-2399
Phone: (620) 225-1321
URL: dc3.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: 1670
- Total Faculty: 120
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S Horton
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
Phone: (620) 223-2700
URL: www.fortscott.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: 1499
- Total Faculty: 85
Highland Community College
606 W Main
Highland, Kansas 66035-4165
Phone: (785) 442-6000
URL: www.highlandcc.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, Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a distant rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2339
- Total Faculty: 186
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, Kansas 66210-1299
Phone: (913) 469-8500
URL: www.jccc.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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 16497
- Total Faculty: 838
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Ave
Kansas City, Kansas 66112
Phone: (913) 334-1100
URL: www.kckcc.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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4676
- Total Faculty: 295
Washburn Institute of Technology
5724 SW Huntoon
Topeka, Kansas 66604
Phone: (785) 670-2200
URL: www.washburntech.edu/
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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1157
Manhattan Area Technical College
3136 Dickens Ave
Manhattan, Kansas 66503-2499
Phone: (785) 587-2800
URL: manhattantech.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: 909
- Total Faculty: 31
Neosho County Community College
800 W 14th St
Chanute, Kansas 66720
Phone: (620) 431-2820
URL: www.neosho.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: 1638
- Total Faculty: 136
North Central Kansas Technical College
3033 US Highway 24
Beloit, Kansas 67420
Phone: (785) 738-2276
URL: www.ncktc.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: 999
- Total Faculty: 69
Salina Area Technical College
2562 Centennial Road
Salina, Kansas 67401
Phone: (785) 309-3100
URL: www.salinatech.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: 855
- Total Faculty: 61
Seward County Community College
1801 N. Kansas Ave.
Liberal, Kansas 67901
Phone: (620) 624-1951
URL: sccc.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: 1663
- Total Faculty: 101
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100
Wichita, Kansas 67226
Phone: (316) 677-9400
URL: www.wsutech.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: 5021
- Total Faculty: 333
Wichita Technical Institute
2051 South Meridian
Wichita, Kansas 67213-1927
Phone: (316) 943-2241
URL: www.wti.edu/
This school is a less than 2 year Private for-profit 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: 907
- Total Faculty: 45
HVAC Worker Salaries in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), HVAC professionals earn competitive salaries, especially for positions requiring just two years of post-secondary training. The BLS (May 2023) reports that the median salary for HVAC workers nationwide was $52,000 per year, while the median salary for HVAC technicians in Kansas was $54,000 per year.
Here are the detailed salary percentiles for HVAC professionals across the US and in Kansas specifically:
| Percentile | United States | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean Wage | $55,000 | $56,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $43,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $52,000 | $54,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,000 | $67,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 | $80,000 |
The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, Payscale (May 2024), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $34,000
- 50th percentile (median): $50,000
- 90th percentile: $78,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Kansas
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that technicians working with refrigerants obtain the EPA Section 608 Certification, which requires passing an exam on the safe handling of refrigerants. There are four types of certifications based on the systems technicians work on:
- Type I: For servicing small appliances.
- Type II: For servicing or disposing of high-pressure appliances, excluding small appliances and motor vehicle ACs.
- Type III: For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.
- Universal: For servicing all types of equipment.
Technicians can also receive additional training and certifications from industry organizations that offer Section 608 testing and certification. These organizations include:
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES): This organization provides comprehensive education and certification opportunities to enhance technical competence in the HVAC/R industry.
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE): NATE certifications reflect real-world working knowledge of HVAC/R systems.
- HVAC Excellence: These exams and certifications validate an individual's retained knowledge in specific areas of the HVAC/R industry.
Kansas does not require state licensing for HVAC technicians. Instead, counties and municipalities set local licensing requirements and fees. Technicians should check with local authorities before starting work. For instance, Johnson County, the most populous county in Kansas, requires HVAC contractors to obtain a Class “DM” Mechanical Contractor’s license. The application process includes:
- A signed application with a $100 application fee and a $225 license fee.
- Proof of general liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
- Designation of a “qualifying individual” who is a full-time employee and either 1) holds a BS degree in architecture, engineering, construction science, or construction management from an ABET- or ACCE-accredited program, or 2) has a certified test score of 75 percent or higher on a standard examination approved by the Contractor License Review Board.
- Proof of the qualifying individual’s experience, such as possessing a journeyman’s certificate for at least two years or a minimum of four years of field experience.
- Proof of identity (government-issued photo ID) of the qualifying individual and owner.
- A digital photo of the qualifying individual.
- Proof of good standing from the Secretary of State (if incorporated).
Because licensing requirements vary, HVAC technicians should familiarize themselves with the specific requirements of the city and county where they plan to work to ensure compliance with all local regulations.