Introduction
Few residents of South Carolina (SC) would be willing to endure the hot, humid summers without air conditioning. Most homes and buildings across the Palmetto State are equipped with climate-control systems to ensure year-round comfort. Consequently, the state offers numerous opportunities in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.
South Carolina's HVAC technicians benefit from a relatively strong job market and the support of various professional organizations and unions. Notably, the UA Local 421, headquartered in Charleston, provides a community for HVAC workers. Additionally, the Mechanical Contractors Association of South Carolina supports HVAC technicians and other mechanical trades professionals. This organization offers various benefits, including a calendar of events, scholarships for HVAC training programs, and additional resources to help members thrive in their careers.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in South Carolina
The demand for HVAC technicians in South Carolina is growing at a significant rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 415,800 HVAC technicians employed across the United States in 2022. The BLS projects that this number will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is twice the average growth rate for all occupations.
In South Carolina specifically, the demand is expected to increase even more rapidly. Projections Central, a data organization partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor, estimates a 6.4% growth in HVAC positions in South Carolina from 2020 to 2030.
Several factors drive this robust demand. HVAC systems require regular maintenance and typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years. Additionally, evolving laws and regulations necessitate ongoing professional services to ensure compliance. Furthermore, nearly all new buildings in South Carolina are constructed with climate-control systems, requiring skilled HVAC installers for both planning and implementation.
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Schools in South Carolina
Aiken Technical College
2276 Jefferson Davis Highway
Graniteville, South Carolina 29829
Phone: (803) 508-7263
URL: www.atc.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: 2121
- Total Faculty: 160
Technical College of the Lowcountry
921 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, South Carolina 29901-1288
Phone: (800) 768-8252
URL: tcl.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 town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2196
- Total Faculty: 149
Florence-Darlington Technical College
2715 W. Lucas Street
Florence, South Carolina 29501-0548
Phone: (843) 661-8324
URL: www.fdtc.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2940
- Total Faculty: 152
Greenville Technical College
506 S Pleasantburg Dr
Greenville, South Carolina 29606
Phone: (864) 250-8000
URL: www.gvltec.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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 11380
- Total Faculty: 692
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
2050 Highway 501 East
Conway, South Carolina 29526
Phone: (843) 347-3186
URL: www.hgtc.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: 8137
- Total Faculty: 354
Midlands Technical College
1260 Lexington Drive
West Columbia, South Carolina 29170-2176
Phone: (803) 738-8324
URL: www.midlandstech.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: 9091
- Total Faculty: 596
Piedmont Technical College
620 North Emerald Road
Greenwood, South Carolina 29646
Phone: (864) 941-8324
URL: www.ptc.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 town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 5315
- Total Faculty: 281
Spartanburg Community College
107 Community College Drive
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303
Phone: (864) 592-4500
URL: www.sccsc.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 6224
- Total Faculty: 394
Central Carolina Technical College
506 N Guignard Dr
Sumter, South Carolina 29150-2499
Phone: (803) 778-1961
URL: www.cctech.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: 3314
- Total Faculty: 188
Tri-County Technical College
7900 U.S. Hwy 76
Pendleton, South Carolina 29670
Phone: (864) 646-8282
URL: www.tctc.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: 5629
- Total Faculty: 348
Trident Technical College
7000 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29423-8067
Phone: (843) 574-6111
URL: www.tridenttech.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: 11789
- Total Faculty: 494
Williamsburg Technical College
601 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Kingstree, South Carolina 29556-4197
Phone: (843) 355-4110
URL: www.wiltech.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 town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 673
- Total Faculty: 49
York Technical College
452 S Anderson Rd
Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730
Phone: (803) 327-8000
URL: www.yorktech.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: 4521
- Total Faculty: 240
Fortis College-Columbia
246 Stoneridge Dr Ste 101
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
Phone: (803) 678-4800
URL: www.fortis.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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 431
- Total Faculty: 46
HVAC Worker Salaries in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2023, HVAC mechanics and installers in the United States enjoy comfortable wages, particularly considering that the occupation generally requires only six months to two years of postsecondary education. The average annual salary for HVAC professionals nationwide is $57,300.
In South Carolina, HVAC technicians earn an average annual wage of $48,170. Here are the detailed salary percentiles for HVAC workers in the U.S. compared to South Carolina:
| Percentile | United States | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC Professionals Employed | 415,800 | 5,470 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $57,300 | $48,170 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,270 | $30,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,550 | $38,130 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $57,300 | $46,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,120 | $59,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,250 | $63,980 |
Another source, CareerExplorer, reports slightly different figures for South Carolina, with an average annual salary of $43,090, and salaries ranging from $29,290 to $61,200. This discrepancy can be attributed to different data collection methods and reporting periods.
Payscale data for 2023 shows that self-reported salaries among HVAC workers nationwide indicate the following percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $35,000
- 50th percentile (median): $54,803
- 90th percentile: $84,000
This data underscores that while South Carolina's HVAC technicians earn slightly less on average compared to the national figures, there is still a robust earning potential, especially for those in higher percentiles or with advanced skills and certifications.
HVAC Certification and Licensing in South Carolina
All HVAC technicians in South Carolina who work with refrigerants must maintain active EPA Section 608 Certification, which includes four specific categories:
- Type 1: Small appliances
- Type 2: High-pressure appliances
- Type 3: Low-pressure appliances
- Universal (Type 4): Covers all types of equipment
In addition to EPA certification, South Carolina offers several skill-specific certifications through various organizations such as:
- Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association: Certifications like the Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE): Offers Industry Competency Exams (ICE) among other certifications
- HVAC Excellence: Provides certifications like Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology Plus
All aspiring HVAC technicians must become licensed through the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. The process involves:
- Submitting an application: Including a $135 processing fee, a copy of a driver’s license, Social Security card, and a notarized “Verification of Lawful Presence” form
- Passing exams: Candidates must pass both the HVAC exam and the business management and law exam within 12 months of application approval
- Obtaining a license: After passing the exams, applicants must submit their test results, a $220 license fee, and a $10,000 surety bond if planning to undertake projects over $5,000
Licensing requirements may vary by municipality, so HVAC technicians should verify local regulations in the cities where they plan to work.