Massachusetts is a place with extreme variable weather. From very hot, humid summers to icy, cold, snowy winters, people in this state have a high demand for installation and maintenance of their HVAC systems.
This makes Massachusetts a great place to start an HVAC career. Whether you want to be a tech or have your sights set on becoming a journeyman, here are the requirements and a guide to get you started.
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Massachusetts
The ideal way to start your HVAC career is to complete an HVAC program and that, too, through a proper technical college.
Having completed this course, you will now find yourself to be a desirable candidate for an apprenticeship. This is very important since Massachusetts follows the apprenticeship system. Such a system requires you to work under a sponsor that can register you as an apprentice and allow you to acquire on-the-job hours. The following are the steps that you need to complete to finally get your license.
Find a sponsor for your apprenticeship.
Officially registered as an apprentice at the Executive Office of Labor as well as at the Workforce Development, Division of Apprentice Standards. A fee of $35 annually would apply.
Get an apprentice license to work for the duration of your apprenticeship.
Complete the work hours required for your credential along with the educational hours.
Finally, take the license exam and pass it to obtain your license.
What License Does an HVAC Technician Require in Massachusetts?
Depending upon your employer and the type of jobs you plan to do, there are different types of licenses or even a combination of licenses that you may need. Here are a few of them:
Refrigeration technician licensing - For working with commercial-grade refrigeration systems
Oil burner technician certification - For working with oil burners
Sheet metal worker licensing - For master sheet installer
Massachusetts HVAC License Requirements
If you are looking to apply for an HVAC license in Massachusetts, you will need not only a certain amount of experience hours but also hours for theory. The requirement for the license are as follows:
6,000 hours of experience with 100 hours of refrigeration theory as well as 150 hours of training in state electrical code
Or
4,000 hours of experience if you have 500 hours of a refrigeration course that is certified by a technical institute, of which 250 must be shop-related. Along with that, you need similar hours for refrigeration theory and training in state electrical coding.
Or
2,000 hours of experience if you have 1,000 hours of a certified refrigeration course along with 100 hours of refrigeration theory and only 100 hours of training in state electrical code.
What Makes Massachusetts a Great Place to Start an HVAC Career?
Your choice of beginning your HVAC career in Massachusetts is a smart one. This isn’t because of one, but many reasons. Here are a few things that make Massachusetts the perfect start to take flight in your HVAC career.
More and Better Schools
As mentioned earlier, the best way to start your career as an HVAC technician is to complete a certified course. Massachusetts is home to some of the best technical institutes that offer the perfect course for your HVAC career. There are also many options to choose from, more than other states provide.
Better Job Opportunities
Once you have obtained your HVAC license and are ready to start working, Massachusetts will not disappoint you with its number of job opportunities. Being the widespread area of land that Massachusetts is, there are some job vacancies in the state for those that are starting new.
Easy to Find Sponsors
Massachusetts is a state where HVAC contractors are always actively looking for apprentices to sponsor. Once you have finished your course from a technical college, if you look for a sponsor in Massachusetts, you won’t be looking for long.
Job Outlook and Salary For HVAC in Massachusetts
Before you step into a professional career, it is very important to research what the job outlook and salary in the specific field are like. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect your HVAC career path to look like in terms of finances and job opportunities.
How Many Jobs Available Annually For HVAC Operation in Massachusetts?
The job availability for HVAC technicians and operations is better in Massachusetts than in most other states. At any given time, there are about 350-500 job openings for HVAC technicians all over the state. Annually, about 2000 to 3000 job openings are available for HVAC operations. It is also predicted that employment in this particular sector would rise by 15% in the next five years, ensuring more jobs for fresh candidates entering the field.
How Much Do HVAC Techs Make in Massachusetts?
The salary of HVAC technicians can vary, depending upon their experience and their level of expertise in the field. Here is a general estimate of how much an HVAC technician at each level earns.
Entry Level
If you join the industry with less than two years of experience, you can expect to receive the minimum wage set for the job that is around $25.15 per hour. However, you can earn considerably more by working overtime.
Mid Level
If you have had some experience in the industry and have worked as an HVAC technician for about three to five years, you can expect to earn about $30.95 per hour. At the mid-level, you can also expect to earn some benefits from the company that you work with.
Master Level
If you have been in the industry for about six to ten years, then you would be considered a master-level candidate. With such vast experience, you can earn about $36.76 per hour and avail of most of the benefits that your company offers.
How Much Does an HVAC Journeyman Make Massachusetts?
An HVAC journeyman can earn the same amount, if not more than an HVAC technician. Even at entry-level positions, they can earn about $44,526 annually. Meanwhile, more experienced workers can earn as much as $96,525 in a year.
Insurance and Tax Information for HVAC Techs in Massachusetts
As an HVAC contractor, you may have taxes to worry about, but there are no tax requirements that you need to fulfill as an HVAC technician. While you are not required to be insured by the state laws of Massachusetts, the company that you work for may ask for it, depending upon their policies. On the other hand, HVAC contractors who are planning to run their own refrigeration business do not need to worry about insurance requirements since the state does not have any.
Massachusetts Cities With Highest Average HVAC Salaries
If you decide to work in Massachusetts, you would want to work in a city that pays you well. If you want to make sure that you are earning the best possible average, look to work in the following cities.
Marshfield
It is known to have an average of $45.05 per hour, which is a lot more than the overall state average.
Billerica
Billerica can offer you an average of $37.98 per hour, which is again better than the overall average of a lot of other states as well.
Boston
At 35.38 per hour, Boston’s average may not be as much as the first two cities, but it is still better than most other cities. Furthermore, it is known to have the most job opportunities.
People Also Ask
While this article attempts to tell you everything you need to know before stepping into your career as an HVAC technician, there are chances you still have some questions left. To help answer all your queries, here we have answered some questions that other users have asked.
How Much Does it Cost For HVAC School in Massachusetts?
The exact amount of tuition you would have to pay at an HVAC School varies depending upon the school you enroll in. On average, the tuition for in-state schools would be about $6,000 to $8,000. Meanwhile, for out-of-state schools, you can expect the tuition to be anywhere from $12,000 to $14,000
What Are Some Great HVAC Schools in MA?
As mentioned earlier, Massachusetts is home to some of the best HVAC schools all over the country. Some of the best schools in the state are the New England Institute of HVAC, New England Tractor Trailer Training School, and The Bay State School Of Technology.
What is the Demand For HVAC Technicians in Massachusetts?
There is a great demand for HVAC technicians in Massachusetts. The job outlook for this field is a lot better in Massachusetts than in most other states. You can find about 250-300 job openings for HVAC technicians in the state at any given time.
What HVAC Zone is Massachusetts?
Massachusetts falls under Zone 5 of the American climate zones. The advised HVAC requirements for Zone 5, according to the US Department of Energy, is 50-60 BTUs per square foot.
How to Join an HVAC Union in Massachusetts
There are two very simple ways of joining the union in Massachusetts. You can either apply directly to the union as an apprentice or an experienced worker and allow them to place you in a company. Or, you can get hired by a signatory company, and they can sponsor you into the union.
Nearby HVAC Schools
Here are some HVAC schools in nearby states: