Introduction
In Pennsylvania (PA), winter temperatures can dip well below freezing while summers are hot and humid. For PA residents, climate control systems are more of a necessity than a luxury, and businesses rely on dependable refrigeration.
Aspiring HVAC technicians in the Keystone State have many opportunities for education and employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2023), Pennsylvania employs 18,980 HVAC professionals, making it the fifth top-employing state nationwide in this field. HVAC technicians and mechanics in PA earn an average annual salary of $58,920, a high wage relative to occupations with minimal postsecondary educational requirements, as most HVAC workers have a certificate or vocational diploma before starting work.
One reason this field is promising in PA is the continually evolving standards for energy efficiency and rapidly changing HVAC technologies. Commercial and residential systems require regular maintenance, and as equipment becomes more sophisticated, there is an increased demand for system upgrades and professionals trained on the latest systems.
Several professional networking organizations and trade associations support HVAC workers in PA. For example, the Air Conditioning Contractors of Western Pennsylvania (ACCWPA) advocates for industry professionals and works with groups such as the EPA to increase energy efficiency in HVAC systems. The ACCWPA emphasizes core values like quality, honesty, integrity, and good faith, and it promotes business growth safely and ethically.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Pennsylvania
The HVAC industry is set to grow significantly in the coming decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2023), job openings for HVAC mechanics and installers nationwide are projected to increase by 6 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. This growth will result in about 37,700 new positions in the HVAC industry across the United States.
Pennsylvania, being one of the top five states for HVAC employment, reflects this trend. With 18,980 HVAC professionals employed in the state, Pennsylvania ranks high in terms of HVAC job availability (BLS, May 2023).
The demand for HVAC professionals in Pennsylvania is driven by several factors:
- Construction of new buildings: Both commercial and residential developments require the installation of HVAC systems.
- Regular maintenance and repair: HVAC systems need ongoing servicing, providing a steady stream of work.
- Upgrading and retrofitting: As energy efficiency standards evolve, there is a growing need to upgrade older systems to newer, more efficient models.
Schools in Pennsylvania
All-State Career School
50 West Powhattan Avenue
Essington, Pennsylvania 19029
Phone: (610) 362-1124
URL: www.allstatecareer.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: 838
- Total Faculty: 68
Community College of Allegheny County
800 Allegheny Ave
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233-1895
Phone: (412) 323-2323
URL: www.ccac.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 large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 10467
- Total Faculty: 706
Butler County Community College
107 College Drive
Butler, Pennsylvania 16002
Phone: (724) 287-8711
URL: www.bc3.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 town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2496
- Total Faculty: 293
Delaware County Community College
901 S Media Line Rd
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-1094
Phone: (610) 359-5000
URL: www.dccc.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 large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 7992
- Total Faculty: 501
Harrisburg Area Community College
1 HACC Dr.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-2999
Phone: (717) 780-2300
URL: www.hacc.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: 12576
- Total Faculty: 1339
Johnson College
3427 N Main Ave
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18508-1495
Phone: (570) 342-6404
URL: www.johnson.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private not-for-profit college that offers 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: 586
- Total Faculty: 88
Lehigh Carbon Community College
4525 Education Park Dr
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania 18078-2598
Phone: (610) 799-2121
URL: www.lccc.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: 6242
- Total Faculty: 469
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute
2205 Ridgewood Rd
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610-1168
Phone: (610) 372-1722
URL: www.berks.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: 311
- Total Faculty: 52
Luzerne County Community College
521 Trailblazer Drive
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania 18634
Phone: (570) 740-0200
URL: www.luzerne.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: 4220
- Total Faculty: 332
New Castle School of Trades
4117 Pulaksi Road
New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101
Phone: (724) 964-8811
URL: www.ncstrades.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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 628
- Total Faculty: 46
Northampton County Area Community College
3835 Green Pond Rd
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020-7599
Phone: (610) 861-5300
URL: www.northampton.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: 8484
- Total Faculty: 860
Orleans Technical College
2770 Red Lion Road
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19114-1014
Phone: (215) 728-4700
URL: www.orleanstech.edu/
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: 227
Penn Commercial Business/Technical School
242 Oak Spring Road
Washington, Pennsylvania 15301-6822
Phone: (724) 222-5330
URL: www.penncommercial.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: 243
- Total Faculty: 28
Pennco Tech-Bristol
3815 Otter St
Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007
Phone: (215) 785-0111
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|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 515
- Total Faculty: 54
Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Road
Oakdale, Pennsylvania 15071
Phone: (412) 809-5100
URL: www.ptcollege.edu/
This school is a 4 year primarily associate's Private not-for-profit 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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1066
- Total Faculty: 108
Rosedale Technical College
215 Beecham Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205-9791
Phone: (412) 521-6200 x112
URL: www.rosedaletech.org/
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|Associate's degree. The campus is located in a large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 417
- Total Faculty: 31
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
750 E King St
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602-3198
Phone: (717) 299-7731
URL: stevenscollege.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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1312
- Total Faculty: 108
Triangle Tech Inc-Pittsburgh
1940 Perrysville Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214-3897
Phone: (412) 359-1000 x7198
URL: www.triangle-tech.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit college that offers 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: 105
- Total Faculty: 14
Triangle Tech Inc-Greensburg
222 E Pittsburgh St Ste A
Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601-3304
Phone: (724) 832-1050
URL: triangle-tech.edu/
This school is a 2 year Private for-profit 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: 101
- Total Faculty: 13
Westmoreland County Community College
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697-1895
Phone: (724) 925-4077
URL: westmoreland.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: 4171
- Total Faculty: 292
YTI Career Institute-York
1405 Williams Road
York, Pennsylvania 17402
Phone: (717) 757-1100
URL: www.yti.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 midsize suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 551
- Total Faculty: 72
Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing Program
175 Georges Fairchance Rd
Uniontown, Pennsylvania 15401
Phone: (724) 437-2721 x124
URL: www.fayettecti.org/
This school is a < 2 year Public college that offers One but less than two years certificate. The campus is located in a small suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 77
Fortis Institute-Forty Fort
166 Slocum Street
Forty Fort, Pennsylvania 18704-2936
Phone: (570) 288-8400
URL: www.fortis.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: 167
- Total Faculty: 20
Pennsylvania College of Technology
One College Ave
Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701-5799
Phone: (570) 326-3761
URL: www.pct.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, Master's degree. The campus is located in a small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 4241
- Total Faculty: 496
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
540 N Harrison Rd
Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania 16823
Phone: (814) 359-2793
URL: www.cpi.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: 131
- Total Faculty: 20
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
1500 Fourth Avenue
Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602-3616
Phone: (814) 941-8324
URL: www.gactc.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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 127
York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education
2179 S Queen St
York, Pennsylvania 17402-4696
Phone: (717) 747-2130
URL: www.educationthatpays.com/
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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 213
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
445 Schoolhouse Rd
Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904-2998
Phone: (814) 266-6073
URL: www.gjctc.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 small suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 56
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
1730 Hans Herr Dr
Willow Street, Pennsylvania 17584
Phone: (717) 464-7050
URL: www.lancasterctc.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: 239
- Total Faculty: 91
Indiana County Technology Center
441 Hamill Rd
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701-1465
Phone: (724) 349-6700
URL: www.ictc.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: 87
All-State Career School-Pittsburgh
1200 Lebanon Road
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 15122
Phone: (412) 823-1818
URL: www.allstatecareer.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: 369
Clearfield County Career and Technology Center
1620 River Road
Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830
Phone: (814) 765-5308
URL: ccctc.edu/
This school is a < 2 year Public college that offers One but less than two years certificate. The campus is located in a fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 29
Miller-Motte College-McCann-Allentown
2200 N Irving St
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18109
Phone: (484) 223-4600
URL: www.mccann.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: 233
- Total Faculty: 26
Berks Career & Technology Center
1057 County Road
Leesport, Pennsylvania 19533-9112
Phone: (610) 743-7630
URL: www.berkscareer.com/ace
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: 42
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
4500 Education Park Drive
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania 18078-2599
Phone: (610) 799-1372
URL: www.lcti.org/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 with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 0
HVAC Worker Salaries in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2023), HVAC mechanics and installers nationwide earn competitive wages, particularly in an occupation that generally requires only six months to two years of postsecondary education.
As of May 2023, the BLS reports that the average annual salary for HVAC workers in the United States is $57,920. In Pennsylvania, the 18,980 HVAC professionals employed in the state earn an average annual salary of $58,920. Here is a detailed breakdown of the salary percentiles for HVAC professionals in the US and Pennsylvania:
| Percentile | United States | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC professionals employed | 415,800 | 18,980 |
| Average annual salary | $57,920 | $58,920 |
| 10th percentile | $37,270 | $36,620 |
| 25th percentile | $44,100 | $45,330 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,300 | $50,860 |
| 75th percentile | $71,120 | $62,940 |
| 90th percentile | $84,250 | $79,090 |
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania and across the United States, HVAC professionals who work with refrigerants must obtain the EPA Section 608 certification. This certification, mandated by federal law, is divided into four types:
- Type I: Small appliances
- Type II: High-pressure appliances
- Type III: Low-pressure appliances
- Universal: Covers all equipment types
Many HVAC training programs include preparation for the EPA Section 608 certification. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of approved Section 608 certification programs.
Additionally, several industry organizations offer further certifications:
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE): Provides a range of certifications requiring a core exam and a specialty exam.
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES): Offers Section 608 certification and additional specialties, such as heating, domestic service, and commercial air conditioning.
- HVAC Excellence: Provides certifications including heating, electrical, and air conditioning technology, among others.
Requirements for these certifications generally include submitting an application, paying a fee, providing proof of experience, and passing both hands-on and written exams.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, state licensure for HVAC contractors is not required, but local regulations can vary. For example, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection mandates an HVAC licensure examination for contractors in the city. To qualify, candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be proficient in English
- Have at least four years of experience
- Submit proof of Contractor’s General Liability Insurance
- Register for city taxes
- Obtain International Code Council (ICC) certification (Pennsylvania Standard Master Mechanical Contractor – Exam #670)
- Pay the licensing fee
New HVAC professionals should verify local requirements to ensure compliance. While professional certification may not be mandatory, it can enhance employability by demonstrating expertise and skills, which many HVAC employers seek.