HVAC Technician in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.
Jobs (IL)
10-yr job growth
Time to complete
route How to become an hvac technician in Illinois
To become an HVAC technician in Illinois, a statewide license is not required. Instead, licensing is managed at the local municipal level, with requirements varying by city or county. All technicians who handle refrigerants must obtain federal EPA Section 608 Certification. Key steps generally include meeting age and education prerequisites (typically 18 years old and a high school diploma/GED), completing formal HVAC training or an apprenticeship, and passing the EPA 608 exam. Some cities, like Chicago, may also require a general contractor license to pull permits for HVAC work.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Illinois requirements
| Licensing body | N/A (Local Municipalities and EPA for refrigerant handling) |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; formal HVAC training program (2 years) or apprenticeship (2-5 years) recommended. EPA Section 608 Certification is mandatory for refrigerant handling. |
| Exam | EPA Section 608 Certification Exam (mandatory for refrigerant handling); local exams may apply. |
| Notes | Illinois does not have a statewide licensing requirement for HVAC technicians. Licensing is handled at the local level by municipalities (e.g., City of Chicago, Cook County, Peoria, Springfield, Evanston, Elgin, Rock Island, Aurora). Technicians must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. A valid driver's license may also be required. EPA Section 608 Certification is a federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerants. Some municipalities, like Chicago, require a general contractor license to pull permits for HVAC work. |
Source: N/A (Local Municipalities and EPA for refrigerant handling)
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+8.1%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk