HVAC Technician in Delaware

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DE. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$59,940

trending_up +0.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Delaware.

engineering

1,790

Jobs (DE)

monitoring Surging

+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$273

Licensing fees

schedule

6-9 years

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in Delaware

To become a licensed HVAC Technician in Delaware, individuals must obtain a Master HVACR license from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners. This typically involves completing a federally-approved apprenticeship program and gaining two years of post-apprenticeship experience under a master licensee, or accumulating seven years of experience under a master licensee and passing an Apprenticeship By-Pass Exam. Applicants must then pass the Master HVACR exam, pay the application fee of $173 and an exam fee of $100. Licenses are renewed every two years and require 5 hours of continuing education per cycle, starting in 2026. Delaware offers full reciprocity with Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland, and limited reciprocity with several other states.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $44,460

25th percentile $48,980

50th (median) $59,940

75th percentile $76,730

90th (experienced) $95,160

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Delaware. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Delaware requirements

Licensing body	Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a registered apprenticeship program or equivalent education.
Exam	Master HVACR Exam (or Master HVACR Restricted Exam) ($100)
Application fee	$173
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	5.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Master HVACR license requires either a Journeyman Certificate plus 2 years of post-apprenticeship experience under a master licensee, OR 7 years of experience under a master licensee and passing the Apprenticeship By-Pass Exam. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a criminal background check. Federal EPA Section 608 Certification is also mandatory for all technicians handling refrigerants. Licenses expire on October 31st of even years.

Source: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners

workspace_premium Delaware license tiers

Delaware offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman	8,000
Master	14,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+8.1%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

40,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

425,200

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.85/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleDelaware license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+8.1%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an hvac technician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as an hvac technician in Delaware? expand_more

The path to hvac technician licensure in Delaware: complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program or equivalent education.), pass the Master HVACR Exam (or Master HVACR Restricted Exam), and submit your application ($173 fee).

Is an hvac technician license required in Delaware? expand_more

A state license is required in Delaware. Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners handles hvac technician licensing — the Master HVACR Exam (or Master HVACR Restricted Exam) is part of the process.

What is the average hvac technician salary in Delaware? expand_more

In Delaware, the median pay for hvac technicians comes to $59,940/year. That's roughly in line with the $59,810 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $44,460, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $95,160.

What are the fees to become an hvac technician in Delaware? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($100) and application fee ($173) and required training.

How many months or years does hvac technician certification take in Delaware? expand_more

Expect to spend 6-9 years from start to finish in Delaware — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a hvac technician license in Delaware? expand_more

To keep your license active, Delaware mandates 5.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.