Introduction
In Tennessee (TN), with its hot, sticky summers and cool winters, there is a strong demand for skilled heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) professionals, particularly in rapidly growing cities like Nashville. The climate control industry is not only high-growth and lucrative but also supported by a robust network of contracting and trade associations.
The Tennessee Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (TAPHCC) is a key resource for HVAC professionals, with regional chapters in Knoxville, Middle Tennessee, and Northeast Tennessee. This non-profit organization promotes efficient and groundbreaking technologies, advances sanitation and standardization, ensures compliance with legislation, and provides training and other resources. Additionally, the Nashville Area Plumbing and Mechanical Association offers legal advocacy, charity events, and discounts on services such as insurance.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Tennessee
The HVAC industry is set for significant growth in Tennessee. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2023), HVAC positions nationwide are projected to increase by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, adding approximately 37,700 new jobs across the United States.
In Tennessee, the outlook is even more promising. Projections Central (2023) anticipates a 9.4 percent increase in HVAC positions in the state from 2020 to 2030, translating to 1,090 new job openings.
Several factors contribute to the strong demand for HVAC professionals in Tennessee:
- System Replacement and Retrofitting: HVAC systems generally need replacement every 10 to 15 years, and older systems often require retrofitting to meet new technological standards.
- Service and Maintenance Contracts: Regular maintenance contracts ensure steady work year-round, even during slower seasons like spring and fall.
- High Construction Rates: Cities with high construction rates, such as Nashville, create increased demand for HVAC installation services.
The job market for HVAC professionals in Tennessee is robust, with numerous job postings on employment sites. For instance, Indeed (November 2023) listed 27,500 HVAC job openings in Tennessee, including positions at companies like Cargill, McKee Foods, Southern Tennessee Regional Health System, and Charles Stone Mechanical Heating & Cooling. Monster (November 2023) also advertised HVAC positions at companies like Roscoe Brown Inc, Honeywell, and Johnson Controls.
Schools in Tennessee
Cleveland State Community College
3535 Adkisson Drive
Cleveland, Tennessee 37312
Phone: (423) 472-7141
URL: www.clevelandstatecc.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: 3180
- Total Faculty: 169
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson
740 Hwy 46
Dickson, Tennessee 37055
Phone: (615) 441-6220
URL: www.tcatdickson.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 982
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
426 Highway 91
Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643
Phone: (423) 543-0070
URL: www.tcatelizabethton.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 495
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville
716 McMurry Blvd East
Hartsville, Tennessee 37074-2028
Phone: (615) 374-2147
URL: www.tcathartsville.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 distant rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 643
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro
265 Elkins Rd
Jacksboro, Tennessee 37757
Phone: (423) 566-9629 x100
URL: www.tcatjacksboro.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 328
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston
740 Hi Tech Dr
Livingston, Tennessee 38570
Phone: (931) 823-5525 x0
URL: www.tcatlivingston.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1417
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie
16940 Highland Dr
McKenzie, Tennessee 38201
Phone: (731) 352-5364
URL: www.tcatmckenzie.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers One but less than two years certificate|Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 134
Genesis Career College-Cookeville
880-A East 10th Street
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501-1907
Phone: (470) 259-4514
URL: www.genesiscareer.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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 346
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis
550 Alabama Ave
Memphis, Tennessee 38105-3604
Phone: (901) 543-6100
URL: www.tcatmemphis.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1547
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown
821 W Louise Ave
Morristown, Tennessee 37813-2094
Phone: (423) 586-5771
URL: www.tcatmorristown.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 859
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro
1303 Old Fort Pky
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129-3311
Phone: (615) 898-8010
URL: www.tcatmurfreesboro.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 337
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest
340 Washington St
Newbern, Tennessee 38059
Phone: (731) 627-2511
URL: www.tcatnorthwest.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 444
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski
1233 E College St
Pulaski, Tennessee 38478-0614
Phone: (931) 424-4014
URL: www.tcatpulaski.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public college that offers One but less than two years certificate|Two but less than 4 years certificate. The campus is located in a distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 565
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump
3070 Hwy. 64 West
Crump, Tennessee 38327
Phone: (731) 632-3393 x224
URL: www.tcatcrump.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1411
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
1405 Madison St
Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160-3629
Phone: (931) 685-5013
URL: www.tcatshelbyville.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 550
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville
910 Miller Avenue
Crossville, Tennessee 38555
Phone: (931) 484-7502
URL: www.tcatcrossville.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 495
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson
2468 Technology Center Drive
Jackson, Tennessee 38301
Phone: (731) 424-0691 x114
URL: www.tcatjackson.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 small suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2239
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville
1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Phone: (865) 546-5567
URL: www.tcatknoxville.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1157
Northeast State Community College
2425 Hwy 75
Blountville, Tennessee 37617-0246
Phone: (423) 323-3191
URL: www.northeaststate.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: 5100
- Total Faculty: 264
William R Moore College of Technology
1200 Poplar Ave
Memphis, Tennessee 38104-7240
Phone: (901) 726-1977
URL: www.mooretech.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, 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: 361
- Total Faculty: 31
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville
100 White Bridge Rd
Nashville, Tennessee 37209-4515
Phone: (615) 425-5500 x5540
URL: www.tcatnashville.edu/
This school is a 2 year Public 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 city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 1016
Remington College-Memphis Campus
2710 Nonconnah Blvd
Memphis, Tennessee 38132
Phone: (901) 291-4239
URL: www.remingtoncollege.edu/locations/memphis/
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 city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 344
- Total Faculty: 22
Remington College-Nashville Campus
441 Donelson Pk Ste 150
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Phone: (615) 889-5520
URL: www.remingtoncollege.edu/locations/nashville/
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 city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 240
- Total Faculty: 12
Fortis Institute-Nashville
3354 Perimeter Hill Drive
Suite 105
Nashville, Tennessee 37211
Phone: (615) 320-5917
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 large city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 383
- Total Faculty: 30
Fortis Institute-Cookeville
1025 Highway 111
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501-4305
Phone: (931) 526-3660
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 remote town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 295
- Total Faculty: 30
HVAC Worker Salaries in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2023), HVAC mechanics and installers nationwide earn good wages, particularly in an occupation that typically requires only six months to two years of postsecondary education.
Among the 415,800 HVAC workers in the United States, the BLS found an average annual salary of $57,920. In Tennessee, the 9,940 HVAC professionals earn an average annual salary of $49,820. Here's a detailed breakdown of the salary percentiles for HVAC professionals in the US and Tennessee:
| Percentile | United States | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC professionals employed | 415,800 | 9,940 |
| Average annual salary | $57,920 | $49,820 |
| 10th percentile | $37,270 | $34,790 |
| 25th percentile | $44,100 | $38,540 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,300 | $47,530 |
| 75th percentile | $71,120 | $60,410 |
| 90th percentile | $84,250 | $70,260 |
Salary figures vary slightly according to other sources. For instance, PayScale (2023), which aggregates self-reported salaries, found the following percentiles among its HVAC respondents nationwide:
- 10th percentile: $36,000
- 50th percentile (median): $58,832
- 90th percentile: $90,000
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Tennessee
Before seeking employment, all HVAC workers in Tennessee must ensure they have the proper credentials. The primary nationally required certification for those handling refrigerants is the EPA Section 608 certification. This certification is divided into four categories:
- Type I: Small appliances
- Type II: High-pressure appliances
- Type III: Low-pressure appliances
- Universal: Covers all equipment types
Preparation for the EPA Section 608 certification exam is typically included in accredited HVAC training programs.
In addition to the EPA certification, various national organizations offer additional certifications to enhance an HVAC technician's credentials:
- HVAC Excellence: Certifications include Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology (HEAT), HEAT Plus, heat oil combustion, systems diagnostics, and green awareness.
- North American Technician Excellence (NATE): Certifications include air conditioning, air distribution, heat pump, hydronic oil, and commercial refrigeration.
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES): Certifications include commercial air conditioning, domestic service, and dynamic compression.
For detailed information on how to achieve these credentials, you can refer to the respective organization's certification guides.
As mentioned in the introduction, HVAC workers in Tennessee performing work valued at $25,000 or more must obtain a mechanical contractor’s license (CMC-C) issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. To qualify for this license, candidates must:
- Complete a CMC-C application
- Pass two exams: the TN Business & Law Management Exam and a Trade Exam
- Provide proof of insurance
- Submit a financial statement
- Pay an application fee
These licenses may also require a candidate interview and are valid for two years.
For HVAC repair or maintenance services under $25,000, state licensure is not required, but an electrician’s license (LLE) issued by Tennessee is necessary for HVAC system installations. Specific credentialing requirements may vary by city or region, and a list of regional authorities is available on the TN State website.
It is crucial for HVAC workers in Tennessee to verify and obtain all necessary credentials before starting any work. Checking with local municipal governments for all licensing details is strongly encouraged to ensure compliance with all regulations.