HVAC Technician in Idaho

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

Median annual salary
$52,730
trending_down -11.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Idaho.

engineering
3,570

Jobs (ID)

monitoring Surging
+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments
$110

Licensing fees

schedule
4 years

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in Idaho

To become a licensed HVAC Journeyman in Idaho, individuals must obtain a license through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). This typically involves completing a four-year, board-approved apprenticeship program with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction, or having four years of HVAC education and working under a qualified journeyman. Applicants must pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman Exam and pay the associated application and exam fees. Idaho does not offer reciprocity for HVAC journeyman licenses with other states. Applicants must be at least 18 years old (or 16 with a STRAP program) and hold an EPA Section 608 certification.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,650
25th percentile $46,570
50th (median) $52,730
75th percentile $64,360
90th (experienced) $78,720

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

checklist Idaho requirements

Licensing bodyIdaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
State license Required
EducationCompletion of a board-approved four-year apprenticeship program with 576 hours of classroom instruction, OR four years of HVAC education plus work under a qualified journeyman.
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamIdaho HVAC Journeyman Exam ($75)
Application fee$35
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
NotesMinimum age of 18 (or 16 with STRAP program). Must be employed by a licensed contractor and work under journeyman supervision during apprenticeship. EPA Section 608 certification is also required. Journeyman license allows work independently under the direction of a licensed contractor. Contractor license requires 24 months of experience as a licensed journeyman and a $2,000 compliance bond.

Source: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)

workspace_premium Idaho license tiers

Idaho offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:

Tier Hours required
Apprentice N/A
Journeyman 8,000
Contractor N/A

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_circleIdaho license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+8.1%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming an hvac technician in Idaho? expand_more
Idaho requires hvac technicians to complete the required education (Completion of a board-approved four-year apprenticeship program with 576 hours of classroom instruction, OR four years of HVAC education plus work under a qualified journeyman.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman Exam, and submit your application ($35 fee).
Does Idaho require hvac technician licensure? expand_more
Yes, Idaho requires a state license to practice as an hvac technician. The licensing body is Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). You must pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman Exam.
What do hvac technicians earn in Idaho? expand_more
The median hvac technician salary in Idaho is $52,730 per year. This trails the $59,810 national median by 12%. New hvac technicians start around $39,650; seasoned professionals can reach $78,720.
What's the total cost to get hvac technician certified in Idaho? expand_more
Between exam fee ($75) and application fee ($35), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How quickly can I become an hvac technician in Idaho? expand_more
The typical timeline in Idaho is 4 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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