Introduction
Virginia experiences extreme weather, with unbearably humid summers and harsh winters that can bring heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures. Unlike our forefathers, who had to endure these temperature extremes without modern conveniences, current residents benefit from skilled HVAC professionals. These experts install, repair, and maintain climate control systems, ensuring comfort throughout the year, regardless of the weather outside.
Virginia offers a wealth of resources and associations for HVAC professionals. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Virginia (PHCC VA) provides continuing education opportunities, a monthly e-newsletter, networking for members, and discounts on various services such as Aramark work apparel, ExxonMobil fleet, and Equiguard warranties. PHCC VA also offers educational programs in advanced project management, business management, and more.
The Association of Air Conditioning Professionals, serving Virginia since 1964, focuses on improving the engineering and design of HVAC systems by providing ongoing training for contractors. Additionally, the Metropolitan Washington Association for Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors (MWPHCC) raises funds for disaster relief and offers regional apprenticeship opportunities. This organization also advocates for technical and career education standards, providing a strong voice for HVAC professionals.
Demand for HVAC Technicians in Virginia
HVAC workers in Virginia are expected to have excellent opportunities within their profession in the coming decade. The increasing need for climate control systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings is driving this demand. Rapid urbanization and the construction of new buildings are significant factors contributing to the steady growth of the HVAC industry in the state.
Adding further proof of the burgeoning employment climate in HVAC, common job posting websites offered an abundance of openings as of May 2024. For example, Indeed has posted 1,178 relevant HVAC jobs in Virginia in locations such as Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Richmond. These positions range from entry-level technicians to experienced professionals and management roles, indicating a diverse range of opportunities for individuals at different stages of their HVAC careers.
Additionally, the push towards energy-efficient systems and the maintenance of existing HVAC systems further enhance job stability and growth prospects. Virginia's commitment to sustainable practices and energy efficiency ensures a continuous need for skilled HVAC professionals capable of implementing and maintaining advanced climate control technologies.
Schools in Virginia
Advanced Technology Institute
5700 Southern Blvd Ste 100
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Phone: (757) 490-1241
URL: www.auto.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 city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 459
- Total Faculty: 30
Central Virginia Community College
3506 Wards Rd
Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-2498
Phone: (434) 832-7600
URL: www.centralvirginia.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 small city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 3388
- Total Faculty: 186
Danville Community College
1008 S Main St
Danville, Virginia 24541-4004
Phone: (434) 797-2222
URL: www.danville.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 distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2274
- Total Faculty: 118
Centura College-Virginia Beach
2697 Dean Dr. Ste. 100
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452-7431
Phone: (757) 340-2121 x310
URL: www.centuracollege.edu/campuses/virginia-beach
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: 109
- Total Faculty: 11
Eastern Shore Community College
29316 Lankford Hwy
Melfa, Virginia 23410
Phone: (757) 789-1789
URL: www.es.vccs.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 remote rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 658
- Total Faculty: 34
Brightpoint Community College
13101 Route 1
Chester, Virginia 23831-5316
Phone: (804) 796-4000
URL: www.brightpoint.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: 8792
- Total Faculty: 358
Laurel Ridge Community College
173 Skirmisher Lane
Middletown, Virginia 22645
Phone: (800) 906-5322
URL: www.laurelridge.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: 5720
- Total Faculty: 272
Mountain Empire Community College
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219
Phone: (276) 523-2400
URL: www.mecc.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: 1928
- Total Faculty: 107
New River Community College
5251 College Drive
Dublin, Virginia 24084-3660
Phone: (540) 674-3600
URL: www.nr.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 fringe town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 3980
- Total Faculty: 155
Tidewater Tech-Trades
4535 E. Princess Anne Rd.
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Phone: (757) 858-8324
URL: tidewatertechtrades.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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 454
Northern Virginia Community College
4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd
Annandale, Virginia 22003-3796
Phone: (703) 323-3000
URL: www.nvcc.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: 51896
- Total Faculty: 1653
Patrick & Henry Community College
645 Patriot Avenue
Martinsville, Virginia 24112
Phone: (276) 656-0200
URL: www.patrickhenry.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: 1861
- Total Faculty: 134
Paul D Camp Community College
100 N College Dr
Franklin, Virginia 23851
Phone: (757) 569-6700
URL: www.pdc.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: 1188
- Total Faculty: 72
Rappahannock Community College
12745 College Drive
Glenns, Virginia 23149-2616
Phone: (804) 758-6730
URL: www.rappahannock.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 rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2591
- Total Faculty: 131
Fortis College-Norfolk
6300 Center Dr Bldg 22
Norfolk, Virginia 23502-4101
Phone: (757) 499-5447 x1344
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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 410
- Total Faculty: 42
Southside Virginia Community College
109 Campus Drive
Alberta, Virginia 23821
Phone: (888) 220-7822
URL: www.southside.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 distant rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 3112
- Total Faculty: 147
Southwest Virginia Community College
369 College Road US Rt. 19
6 Miles S. Claypool Hill
Cedar Bluff, Virginia 24609
Phone: (276) 964-2555
URL: sw.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 fringe rural area with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2163
- Total Faculty: 121
Virginia Peninsula Community College
99 Thomas Nelson Drive
Hampton, Virginia 23666
Phone: (757) 825-2700
URL: vpcc.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: 6018
- Total Faculty: 312
Tidewater Community College
121 College Place
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Phone: (757) 822-1111
URL: www.tcc.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: 16195
- Total Faculty: 809
Virginia Highlands Community College
100 VHCC Drive
Abingdon, Virginia 24212-0828
Phone: (276) 739-2400
URL: www.vhcc.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: 2068
- Total Faculty: 137
Virginia Western Community College
3094 Colonial Ave
Roanoke, Virginia 24015
Phone: (540) 857-8922
URL: virginiawestern.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: 5860
- Total Faculty: 252
Wytheville Community College
1000 E Main Street
Wytheville, Virginia 24382-3308
Phone: (276) 223-4700
URL: www.wcc.vccs.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 distant town with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 2116
- Total Faculty: 96
Centura College-Newport News
616 Denbigh Blvd.
Newport News, Virginia 23608
Phone: (757) 874-2121
URL: www.centuracollege.edu/campuses/newport-news
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 midsize city with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 209
Fortis College-Richmond
2000 Westmoreland Street
Suite A
Richmond, Virginia 23230
Phone: (804) 323-1020
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: 353
- Total Faculty: 35
Centura College-Chesapeake
932 Ventures Way
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
Phone: (757) 549-2121
URL: www.centuracollege.edu/campuses/chesapeake
This school is a 4 year primarily associate's Private 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 large suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 189
- Total Faculty: 17
CET-Alexandria
6295 Edsall Rd
Plaza 500 Ste. 220
Alexandria, Virginia 22312
Phone: (408) 287-7924
URL: cetweb.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 suburb with campus housing not offered.
- Total Student Population: 60
Centura College-Richmond Main
7914 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235-5250
Phone: (804) 330-0111
URL: www.centuracollege.edu/campuses/richmond
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: 149
HVAC Worker Salaries in Virginia
Not only are the opportunities in HVAC growing across the country, but these workers also earn a higher-than-average salary among occupations that require less than a bachelor’s degree to start.
As of May 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the 374,770 HVAC workers nationwide had an average annual salary (annual mean wage) of $58,540. In Virginia, the average salary (annual mean wage) for HVAC workers is slightly lower, at $55,875. Following are the US and Virginia averages, as they compare:
| Metric | United States | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Number of HVAC professionals employed | 374,770 | 12,640 |
| Annual mean wage | $58,540 | $55,875 |
| 10th percentile | $37,170 | $37,750 |
| 25th percentile | $45,100 | $46,960 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,390 | $54,460 |
| 75th percentile | $66,630 | $63,680 |
| 90th percentile | $83,630 | $79,270 |
The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, Payscale (2023), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $35,000
- 50th percentile (median): $54,371
- 90th percentile: $84,000
The BLS designated 13 regions within Virginia for which employment data is available. The 420 HVAC workers in the Lynchburg, VA area earned the highest average salary (annual mean wage) in the state at $62,779, while the 140 HVAC workers in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford area had the lowest average salary (annual mean wage) at $44,970. In contrast, cities like Arlington and Falls Church offer some of the highest paying HVAC jobs, with Arlington's top earners making an average annual salary of $78,013.
HVAC Certification and Licensing in Virginia
In addition to receiving the proper training, HVAC technicians, mechanics, and installers must ensure they have the necessary national and regional credentials. One mandatory credential for all HVAC workers handling refrigerants is the EPA Section 608 certification, which has four types:
- Type I (small appliance)
- Type II (high-pressure appliances)
- Type III (low-pressure appliances)
- Type IV (universal)
Most HVAC training programs prepare students for EPA certification, and many include the exam as part of the curriculum. Applicants should verify the steps needed to earn this essential certification.
Various organizations provide competency-based certifications for HVAC professionals, including North American Technician Excellence (NATE), HVAC Excellence, and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES).
HVAC workers in Virginia performing services over $1,000 must have a license issued by the Virginia Board for Contractors. There are three levels of licensure:
- Journeyman
- Master
- Contractor
To obtain any of these licenses, HVAC professionals must submit an application detailing their educational and practical experience and pass a comprehensive examination. The qualifying levels of education and experience vary depending on the license level:
- Journeyman: Four years of experience and 240 hours of formal training (Note: 80 additional hours of formal training can be substituted for one year of practical experience, up to 200 hours), or two years of experience and an associate degree, or one year of experience and a bachelor’s degree.
Each license type is valid for two years and requires completing a continuing education (CE) course for renewal. For detailed rules on achieving and maintaining these state licenses, review the full requirements on the VA Board for Contractors website.
Because licensure requirements can vary within the state, all HVAC professionals must ensure they are properly credentialed to perform their work in their chosen municipality.