HVAC Technician in Georgia

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

Median annual salary

$55,020

trending_down -8.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering

12,210

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Surging

+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$297

Licensing fees

schedule

4-5 years of experience, plus application and exam processing time

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in Georgia

To become a licensed HVAC Technician in Georgia, individuals must obtain a Conditioned Air Contractor license from the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. Key steps include accumulating 4-5 years of documented work experience depending on the license class (Class I Restricted or Class II Non-restricted), passing the Conditioned Air Contractor Exam, and submitting a comprehensive application with references and proof of EPA 608 certification. Licensees must also complete 8 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. Georgia currently has a reciprocity agreement with Louisiana for conditioned air contractor licenses.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,250

25th percentile $45,280

50th (median) $55,020

75th percentile $62,780

90th (experienced) $77,580

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

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing body	Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or equivalent.
Exam	Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I or II) ($267)
Application fee	$30
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Class I (Restricted) requires 4 years of experience, including specific time in residential installation as a lead mechanic, service technician (with EPA 608 license), and residential supervisory experience, plus a board-approved heat loss and gain and duct design course. Class II (Non-restricted) requires 5 years of experience, including specific time in installation as a lead mechanic (at least one year commercial), service technician or supervisor (with EPA 608 license), and commercial supervisory experience, plus board-approved heat loss and gain and duct design courses. Education from a technical school can substitute for some experience (diploma for up to 2 years, certificate for up to 1 year). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, obtain EPA 608 certification, and pass a background check. Three professional references are required. The exam is open book, 140 questions, and requires a 70% passing score. Applications are valid for 12 months.

Source: Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors

workspace_premium Georgia license tiers

Georgia offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Class I (Restricted)	8,000
Class II (Unrestricted)	10,000

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_circleGeorgia 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 are the steps to becoming an hvac technician in Georgia? expand_more

To become an hvac technician in Georgia, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent.), pass the Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I or II), and submit your application ($30 fee).

Is an hvac technician license required in Georgia? expand_more

A state license is required in Georgia. Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors handles hvac technician licensing — the Conditioned Air Contractor Exam (Class I or II) is part of the process.

How much does an hvac technician make in Georgia? expand_more

In Georgia, the median pay for hvac technicians comes to $55,020/year. — 8% under the $59,810 national average. New hvac technicians start around $37,250; seasoned professionals can reach $77,580.

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

Costs include exam fee ($267) and application fee ($30). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How long does it take to become an hvac technician in Georgia? expand_more

Expect to spend 4-5 years of experience, plus application and exam processing time from start to finish in Georgia — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What are the continuing education requirements for hvac technicians in Georgia? expand_more

To keep your license active, Georgia mandates 8.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.