Introduction
Working as an HVAC technician in Massachusetts offers a rewarding career with long-term prospects. The state's frigid winters and humid summers create a constant demand for reliable climate control in both residential and commercial buildings. HVAC technicians in the Bay State are in high demand, especially in specialty trade sectors, hospitals, and educational institutions.
These professionals install, maintain, and repair systems that control temperature and air quality. Their tasks range from installing piping and wiring to testing circuitry and components. Technicians must understand how belts, motors, filters, valves, and fans function as part of an overall system.
HVAC technicians in Massachusetts can find support from trade organizations and unions like the UA Local 537, based in Boston. This pipefitters' union offers professional networking, training (including apprenticeships), and political advocacy.
Most HVAC work in Massachusetts does not require specialized licensing, except for industrial refrigeration units over 10 tons in capacity. This flexible licensing system allows new technicians to start working and earning sooner after completing their training.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Massachusetts
The demand for HVAC technicians continues to grow nationwide. According to Projections Central, HVAC jobs in Massachusetts are expected to increase by 18.5 percent by 2030. This growth is driven by several factors, including the need for new HVAC systems in construction and the replacement of systems every 10 to 15 years. Additionally, advancements in energy efficiency and system maintenance require skilled HVAC technicians.
Schools in Massachusetts
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology
41 Berkeley St
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Phone: (617) 423-4630
URL: www.bfit.edu/
This school is a 4 year primarily associate's Private not-for-profit college that offers Less than one year certificate|Associate's degree|Bachelor's degree. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 513
- Total Faculty: 74
Massasoit Community College
One Massasoit Boulevard
Brockton, Massachusetts 02302-3996
Phone: (508) 588-9100
URL: www.massasoit.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4810
- Total Faculty: 498
Quinsigamond Community College
670 West Boylston Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01606-2092
Phone: (508) 853-2300
URL: www.qcc.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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 6481
- Total Faculty: 466
Southeastern Technical Institute
250 Foundry St
South Easton, Massachusetts 02375
Phone: (508) 230-1297
URL: www.stitech.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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 128
Springfield Technical Community College
1 Armory Sq
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105-1296
Phone: (413) 781-7822
URL: www.stcc.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: 3945
- Total Faculty: 241
Motoring Technical Training Institute
1241 Fall River Avenue
Seekonk, Massachusetts 02771
Phone: (508) 336-6611
URL: www.mtti.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 292
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts
1600 Osgood Street
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845-1048
Phone: (978) 965-2969
URL: www.nettts.com/
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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 707
Technology Learning Center
11 Buffum Dam Road
Oxford, Massachusetts 01540-1411
Phone: (508) 987-1852
URL: tlcedu.com/
This school is a less than 2 year Private for-profit college that offers Less than one year certificate. The campus is located in a large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 42
HVAC Worker Salaries in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, HVAC professionals earn competitive salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), here are the detailed salary percentiles for HVAC professionals in the US and Massachusetts:
| Percentile | United States | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean Wage | $57,460 | $70,010 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,170 | $45,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,100 | $58,230 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $51,390 | $66,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,630 | $76,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,340 | $94,340 |
Payscale (Nov. 2023) provides additional data based on self-reported salaries:
- 10th percentile: $35,000
- 50th percentile (median): $54,827
- 90th percentile: $84,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, HVAC professionals must obtain various certifications and licenses. All who work with environmentally sensitive refrigerants must get the EPA Section 608 certification. This certification has four types:
- Type I: For servicing small appliances
- Type II: For servicing or disposing of high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning
- Type III: For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances
- Universal (Type IV): For servicing all types of equipment
Other certifications from national entities include:
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
- HVAC Excellence
Massachusetts requires HVAC/R apprentices to obtain an apprentice refrigeration technician license. Applicants must provide a completed application, a high school diploma (or equivalent), a photo, a Division of Apprentice Standards ID card, proof of age (18+), and a $40 fee.
For those working with systems over 10 tons, a refrigeration technician license is necessary. Requirements include a high school diploma, a photo, an apprenticeship completion certificate, a CFC certification, and an application form. Candidates must pass a written exam and pay a $75 fee. Additional requirements include:
- Option 1: 250 hours in an approved refrigeration course and 6,000 hours of employment as a refrigeration apprentice.
- Option 2: 500 hours in an approved refrigeration course and 4,000 hours of employment as a refrigeration apprentice.
- Option 3: A comparable license and experience from another area.
HVAC/R contractors must have a refrigeration contractor license. They must submit proof of a technician’s license, a photo, 2,000 hours of employment, completion of 100 hours of refrigeration training, an application, and pass a written exam with a $150 fee.
Additional municipal permits or credentials may be required, and HVAC professionals should verify all necessary licensure before starting work.