Introduction
Michigan offers abundant opportunities and resources for HVAC professionals. HVAC technicians in Michigan must obtain a mechanical contractor’s license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for most work. Professional organizations like the Michigan Air Conditioning Contractors Association help HVAC workers develop skills and advocate for local regulations.
HVAC technicians in Michigan monitor system performance, repair equipment, advise property owners on efficiency, perform preventative maintenance, read blueprints, and maintain credentials. Proper training is crucial due to the higher injury rates in this profession. Common issues include burns, electric shocks, and muscle strains, with handling refrigerants being particularly hazardous.
Most HVAC jobs in Michigan require knowledge of systems such as geothermal, oil-burning, and electric. Certifications from national organizations like NATE enhance job prospects.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Michigan
Projections Central (2023) predicts a 9.2 percent increase in HVAC opportunities in Michigan from 2020 to 2030.
To secure a job, many Michigan HVAC employers require:
- Driver’s license
- HVAC technical education (certificate, diploma, or degree)
- Three to five years of experience
- NATE certification(s)
- Ability to pass a drug test
HVAC technicians work in homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, factories, and more. There is a steady demand for HVAC services due to regular maintenance and system replacements every ten years. Seasonal spikes in activity during summers and winters may require HVAC professionals to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Schools in Michigan
Northwestern Technological Institute
24800 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, Michigan 48075
Phone: (248) 358-4006
URL: www.northwesterntech.edu/
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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 731
Mott Community College
1401 E Court St
Flint, Michigan 48503-2089
Phone: (810) 762-0200
URL: www.mcc.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 5969
- Total Faculty: 317
Delta College
1961 Delta Road
University Center, Michigan 48710
Phone: (989) 686-9000
URL: www.delta.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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 7056
- Total Faculty: 385
MIAT College of Technology
2955 S Haggerty
Canton, Michigan 48188
Phone: (734) 423-2100
URL: miat.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, Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1303
- Total Faculty: 60
Ferris State University
1201 S State St
Big Rapids, Michigan 49307-2251
Phone: (231) 591-2000
URL: www.ferris.edu/
This school is a 4 year Public college that offers Less than one year certificate, One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's degree|Doctor's degree - research/scholarship|Doctor's degree - professional practice. The campus is located in a distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 10072
- Total Faculty: 651
Grand Rapids Community College
143 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-3295
Phone: (616) 234-4000
URL: www.grcc.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: 11803
- Total Faculty: 567
Henry Ford College
5101 Evergreen Rd
Dearborn, Michigan 48128-1495
Phone: (313) 845-9600
URL: www.hfcc.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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 11204
- Total Faculty: 539
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 West O Ave
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003-4070
Phone: (269) 488-4100
URL: www.kvcc.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 6358
- Total Faculty: 617
Kellogg Community College
450 North Ave
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-3397
Phone: (269) 965-3931
URL: www.kellogg.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: 3427
- Total Faculty: 439
Kirtland Community College
4800 W 4 Mile Road
Grayling, Michigan 49738
Phone: (989) 275-5000
URL: www.kirtland.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 distant rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1403
- Total Faculty: 35
Lansing Community College
610 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, Michigan 48933
Phone: (517) 483-1957
URL: www.lcc.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: 9573
- Total Faculty: 877
Macomb Community College
14500 E Twelve Mile Rd
Warren, Michigan 48088-3896
Phone: (586) 445-7999
URL: www.macomb.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: 15946
- Total Faculty: 733
Mid Michigan College
1375 S Clare Ave
Harrison, Michigan 48625-9447
Phone: (989) 386-6622
URL: www.midmich.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: 3382
- Total Faculty: 108
Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, Michigan 49855-5301
Phone: (906) 227-2650
URL: www.nmu.edu/
This school is a 4 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|Bachelor's degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master's degree|Post-master's certificate|Doctor's degree - professional practice. The campus is located in a remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 6970
- Total Faculty: 438
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 E Front St
Traverse City, Michigan 49686
Phone: (231) 995-1000
URL: www.nmc.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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 3098
- Total Faculty: 297
Oakland Community College
2900 Featherstone Road
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
Phone: (248) 341-2000
URL: www.oaklandcc.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: 13430
- Total Faculty: 538
Siena Heights University
1247 E. Siena Heights Dr.
Adrian, Michigan 49221
Phone: (517) 263-0731
URL: www.sienaheights.edu/
This school is a 4 year Private not-for-profit college that offers One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree|Bachelor's degree, Master's degree. The campus is located in a distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1857
- Total Faculty: 162
Washtenaw Community College
4800 E Huron River Dr
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105-4800
Phone: (734) 973-3300
URL: www.wccnet.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: 10622
- Total Faculty: 665
Wayne County Community College District
801 W. Fort Street
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Phone: (313) 496-2600
URL: www.wcccd.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: 12219
- Total Faculty: 459
Dorsey College-Wayne
35005 Michigan Avenue
Wayne, Michigan 48184
Phone: (734) 595-1540
URL: www.dorsey.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 216
Dorsey College-Roseville
31450 Gratiot Avenue
Roseville, Michigan 48066
Phone: (586) 296-3225
URL: www.dorsey.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: 377
Dorsey College-Saginaw
4390 Bay Rd
Saginaw, Michigan 48603
Phone: (989) 249-1926
URL: www.dorsey.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 midsize suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 180
Abcott Institute
16250 Northland Drive
Suite 205
Southfield, Michigan 48075-5227
Phone: (248) 440-6020
URL: www.abcott.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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 71
Dorsey College-Woodhaven
19810 West Road
Woodhaven, Michigan 48183-3319
Phone: (586) 296-3225
URL: www.dorsey.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 118
HVAC Worker Salaries in Michigan
Detailed salary percentiles for HVAC professionals in the US and Michigan are as follows:
Percentile | United States | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Annual Mean Wage | $57,460 | $57,090 |
10th Percentile | $36,170 | $37,200 |
25th Percentile | $44,100 | $43,970 |
50th Percentile (Median) | $51,390 | $50,040 |
75th Percentile | $65,630 | $63,480 |
90th Percentile | $82,630 | $80,930 |
Payscale (September 2023), based on self-reported salaries, found these national percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $36,000
- 50th percentile (median): $54,628
- 90th percentile: $84,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Michigan
To work as an HVAC technician, mechanic, or installer in Michigan, proper credentialing is essential. A mandatory national certification for those working with refrigerants is the EPA Section 608 Certification, with four subtypes: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure refrigerants), Type III (low-pressure refrigerants), and Universal (Type IV).
Many Michigan job postings also require three to five years of experience and competency-based certifications from organizations like the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), North American Technician Excellence (NATE), and HVAC Excellence.
Michigan HVAC technicians must obtain a mechanical contractor’s license from the MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). To qualify, candidates need:
- At least three years (6,000 hours) of experience in each work classification (e.g., hydronic heating & cooling, HVAC equipment, refrigeration, ductwork); one year can be from an educational program
- Detailed application with all qualifying work performed
- Application fee and exam fee
- Passing score (at least 70 percent) on an exam
The exam includes written tests for each work classification and questions on general laws, construction code, and safety rules. Permits and licenses are not required for portable equipment, self-contained refrigeration systems, or window-mounted air conditioners.
Michigan offers six specialty licenses for advanced experience: solar, solid fuel, LP tank & pipe, underground tank & pipe, gas piping, and gas piping & venting.
For more information, visit the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) page.