Introduction
The Empire State has a long history in heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration (HVAC-R or HVAC). Notably, in 1903, the New York Stock Exchange building was one of the first structures in the world to use an air conditioning system, as noted by American Weathermakers.
With frigid winters and hot, humid summers, it's no surprise that the people of New York (NY) depend heavily on HVAC systems. In New York City (NYC), residential tenants benefit from a Warranty of Habitability, a law requiring landlords or property owners to keep buildings “safe and livable” at all times, which includes maintaining heating or cooling systems. This law is one of many factors contributing to a thriving employment climate for HVAC workers across New York.
The high demand for these skilled professionals is supported by several professional associations that offer legal advocacy, ongoing training, and networking opportunities. For example, the Metropolitan Air Conditioning Contractors (MACC) of New York provides abundant technical information, promotes sound business practices, and influences public policy.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in New York
HVAC technicians nationwide, and particularly in New York, can expect a growing demand for qualified professionals in the coming decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is projected to be a 5 percent increase in openings for HVAC workers around the country between 2021 and 2031, which matches the average growth expected across all occupations during that period.
The outlook is even brighter for residents of the Empire State. Projections Central (2023) found that demand for HVAC professionals in New York is expected to grow by 19.7 percent between 2020 and 2030, translating to an additional 3,810 openings for these professionals.
Nearly all New York residential structures depend on climate control systems due to seasonal inclement weather. HVAC workers in NY are employed in various settings including residences, factories, schools, hospitals, retail areas, and restaurants. Some of these workers service specific job sites daily—especially in larger buildings with more complex systems—while others may travel to different locations to fulfill service contracts.
Some HVAC technicians in NY work normal business hours, but they may also be called upon to work evenings, holidays, or weekends during the peak winter and summer months when services are most in-demand.
Schools in New York
Apex Technical School
11-05 44th Drive
Long Island City, New York 11101
Phone: (212) 645-3300
URL: www.apexschool.com/
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 city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1072
CUNY New York City College of Technology
300 Jay St
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Phone: (718) 260-5500
URL: www.citytech.cuny.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. The campus is located in a large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 13087
- Total Faculty: 1229
Dutchess Community College
53 Pendell Rd
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601-1595
Phone: (845) 431-8000
URL: www.sunydutchess.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: 7047
- Total Faculty: 334
Erie Community College
121 Ellicott St
Buffalo, New York 14203-2698
Phone: (716) 851-1000
URL: www.ecc.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: 7843
- Total Faculty: 387
Fulton-Montgomery Community College
2805 State Hwy 67
Johnstown, New York 12095-3790
Phone: (518) 762-3622
URL: www.fmcc.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers 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: 1812
- Total Faculty: 73
Hudson Valley Community College
80 Vandenburgh Ave
Troy, New York 12180
Phone: (518) 629-4822
URL: www.hvcc.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: 9140
- Total Faculty: 482
Mohawk Valley Community College
1101 Sherman Dr
Utica, New York 13501-5394
Phone: (315) 792-5400
URL: www.mvcc.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: 5539
- Total Faculty: 280
Monroe Community College
1000 E Henrietta Rd
Rochester, New York 14623
Phone: (585) 292-2000
URL: www.monroecc.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: 8283
- Total Faculty: 539
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
10 Upper College Drive
Alfred, New York 14802
Phone: (800) 425-3733
URL: www.alfredstate.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: 3348
- Total Faculty: 238
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, New York 13617-1098
Phone: (315) 386-7011
URL: www.canton.edu/
This school is a 4 year Public college that offers 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: 2836
- Total Faculty: 200
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
454 Delhi Drive
Delhi, New York 13753-1100
Phone: (607) 746-4000
URL: www.delhi.edu/
This school is a 4 year Public college that offers One but less than two years certificate|Associate's degree|Bachelor's degree, Master's degree|Post-master's certificate. The campus is located in a remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2612
- Total Faculty: 204
Suffolk County Community College
533 College Rd
Selden, New York 11784-2899
Phone: (631) 451-4110
URL: www.sunysuffolk.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers 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: 20014
- Total Faculty: 1045
Erie 1 BOCES
355 Harlem Rd
West Seneca, New York 14224
Phone: (716) 821-7500
URL: e1b.org/wfd
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: 436
Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES
Main Campus
Liverpool, New York 13088
Phone: (315) 453-4455
URL: ocmboces.org/
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: 384
Career School of NY
350 St. Marks Pl
Staten Island, New York 10301
Phone: (718) 420-6440
URL: careerschoolny.com/
This school is a < 2 year Private not-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: 53
Electrical and HVAC/R Training Center
65 Elm St.
Copiague, New York 11726
Phone: (631) 226-8021
URL: www.electricaltrainingcenter.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 large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 232
HVAC Worker Salaries in New York
HVAC occupations are not only among the fastest-growing in New York, but the state also employs the fourth most workers in this field relative to other US states. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2022, there were 20,150 HVAC mechanics and installers in New York, with a high concentration in NYC. The New York City metropolitan area (which includes parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania) employs 19,480 HVAC workers—more than any other metropolitan region in the country.
Furthermore, the state boasts higher-than-average wages for HVAC workers. The United States employs 374,770 HVAC workers with an average annual salary (mean annual wage) of $57,460. In NY, the average salary in this field is $69,540.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the salary percentiles among all HVAC workers in the country compared with New Yorkers (BLS May 2022):
| Percentile | United States | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC Professionals Employed | 374,770 | 20,150 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $57,460 | $69,540 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,170 | $38,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,100 | $49,710 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $51,390 | $64,690 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,630 | $81,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $82,630 | $99,260 |
Another data source, PayScale (September 2023), which relies on self-reported salaries, found the following percentiles for HVAC workers in the US:
- 10th Percentile: $35,000
- 50th Percentile (Median): $54,371
- 90th Percentile: $84,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in New York
One mandatory certification for all HVAC professionals who work with refrigerants in NY and nationwide is the EPA Section 608 certification. Due to the difficulty and environmentally sensitive nature of handling refrigerants, these workers must be specially trained and nationally credentialed. There are four categories of this certification:
- Type I: Small appliances
- Type II: High-pressure refrigerants
- Type III: Low-pressure refrigerants
- Type IV: Universal
In addition to the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and HVAC Excellence certification programs, the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) also provides professional credentialing.
Check out the main HVAC certifications page to learn about these options.
Finally, before seeking work as an HVAC technician in NY, obtaining the proper local license or permit is crucial. Although no requisite state license exists for HVAC professionals in NY, cities may require a municipal license.
For example, in NYC, HVAC contractors must get a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license through the NY Department of Consumer Affairs to work on residential or commercial properties. Additionally, NYC Buildings offers a mechanical/HVAC (MH) work permit for HVAC work within the city. Please visit the Department of Consumer Affairs to learn more about the local laws and necessary credentials in NYC.
Other cities have differing legislation and license-granting bodies. Here is a list of a few municipal organizations which issue HVAC credentialing and permits:
- Rockland County Board of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Examiners
- Ithaca Building Department
- Nassau County Department of Consumer Affairs
- Putnam County Plumbing & Mechanical Trades Board
- Syracuse City Board of Mechanical Examiners
Ultimately, HVAC professionals who want to work in any area of NY should verify any licensing or certification requirements for that area before beginning work.