Introduction
As with many states in the northeast, New Jersey experiences extreme weather in all seasons—from frigid winters with temperatures dipping into the 30s and snowfall to hot, humid summers with temperatures climbing into the 90s. This kind of fluctuation means that many residents of the Garden State rely heavily on climate control systems to stay comfortable. Professional HVAC technicians have considerable opportunities in NJ, given the necessary training.
Some HVAC workers in New Jersey work with various systems, while others may specialize in a particular type of equipment such as commercial, residential, or gas systems. Additionally, all HVAC professionals who deal with refrigerants must have an active EPA Section 608 certification, the sole mandatory federal credential in the industry.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in New Jersey
The demand for HVAC professionals in New Jersey is significant, making it an excellent region for new HVAC technicians to train and work. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022, the number of openings for HVAC technicians is expected to increase by 5 percent nationally between 2021 and 2031, which is on par with the average growth rate for all occupations in the U.S. during the same period.
Several factors contribute to the strong and growing HVAC-R industry in New Jersey:
- System Replacement: HVAC systems typically need to be replaced approximately every decade and require routine servicing and maintenance.
- Regulatory and Technological Changes: Constant changes in regulations and technologies within the HVAC-R and construction industries necessitate regular system updates.
The strong demand for HVAC professionals is reflected in job postings. For instance, the online job board Monster (2023) lists several opportunities for HVAC professionals in NJ, including positions with Holy Name, Aramark, and MMI Electrical Contractors, Inc. Similarly, Indeed (2023) showed 611 job openings in New Jersey, with employers such as PSEG, Zimmer Biomet, Sodexo, and Laurel Circle, among others.
Schools in New Jersey
Fortis Institute-Wayne
201 Willowbrook Blvd.
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
Phone: (973) 837-1818 x204
URL: www.fortis.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: 365
Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS
190 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601-6637
Phone: (201) 343-6000 x2288
URL: www.bergen.org/site/default.aspx?pageid=4343
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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 76
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
2299 Vauxhall Rd
Union, New Jersey 07083
Phone: (908) 964-7800 x40500
URL: www.lincolntech.edu/campus/union-nj
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: 1625
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Rd
West Windsor, New Jersey 08550-3407
Phone: (609) 586-4800
URL: www.mccc.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: 5821
- Total Faculty: 441
Eastwick College-Nutley
103 Park Ave
Nutley, New Jersey 07110
Phone: (973) 661-0600
URL: www.eastwickcollege.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: 415
- Total Faculty: 63
Pennco Tech-Blackwood
99 Erial Road
Blackwood, New Jersey 08012
Phone: (856) 232-0310
URL: www.penncotech.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|Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 886
Raritan Valley Community College
118 Lamington Road
Branchburg, New Jersey 08876
Phone: (908) 526-1200
URL: www.raritanval.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: 6321
- Total Faculty: 381
Union County Vocational Technical School
1776 Raritan Rd
Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076
Phone: (908) 889-8288
URL: www.ucvts.tec.nj.us/domain/11
This school is a < 2 year Public 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: 108
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah
70 McKee Dr
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
Phone: (201) 529-1414 x41400
URL: www.lincolntech.edu/campus/mahwah-nj
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit 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 large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 861
Ocean County Vocational-Technical School
137 Bey Lea Rd
Toms River, New Jersey 08753
Phone: (732) 473-3100 x3139
URL: www.ocvts.org/
This school is a < 2 year Public 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: 452
National Career Institute
134 Evergreen Place
East Orange, New Jersey 07018
Phone: (973) 678-3901
URL: nciedu.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: 119
Fortis Institute-Lawrenceville
2572 Brunswick Pike
Suite 100
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
Phone: (609) 512-2650
URL: fortis.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: 244
Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education
695 Woodlane Road
Westampton, New Jersey 08060-3826
Phone: (609) 267-4226
URL: www.bcit.cc/adulted
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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 247
HVAC Worker Salaries in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2022, HVAC mechanics and installers nationally received an annual mean wage of $57,460. In comparison, technicians in New Jersey received a higher annual mean salary of $68,510.
Below is a comparison of national and state salaries for HVAC professionals:
| Percentile | United States | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC Professionals Employed | 374,770 | 9,300 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $57,460 | $68,510 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,170 | $37,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,100 | $50,100 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $51,390 | $69,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,630 | $82,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $82,630 | $99,560 |
Another data source, PayScale (2023), which relies on self-reported salaries, found the following percentiles for HVAC workers in the United States:
- 10th Percentile: $35,000
- 50th Percentile (Median): $54,371
- 90th Percentile: $84,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in New Jersey
Before seeking employment, all New Jersey HVAC-R professionals must obtain the necessary certification and licensing.
As referenced earlier, one specific certification is required for all individuals who handle environmentally sensitive refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 Certification. This certification is broken down into four types:
- Type 1: Small appliances
- Type 2: High-pressure appliances
- Type 3: Low-pressure appliances
- Type 4: Universal
Most HVAC-R programs will include preparation for the certification exam as part of the curriculum.
In addition, other entities nationwide provide skill-based, employment-ready trade certifications. A handful of these organizations are listed below:
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
- HVAC Excellence
Finally, all HVAC-R professionals in New Jersey must obtain the required local licensure before beginning work through the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. License applications must be submitted online along with a $100 application fee, proof of requisite experience, and any other required documentation.
Because licensure requirements vary by municipality, HVAC-R professionals must perform due diligence before beginning any work to ensure adequate credentialing for the task at hand.