HVAC Technician in New Jersey

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

Median annual salary

$69,800

trending_up +16.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Jersey.

engineering

10,680

Jobs (NJ)

monitoring Surging

+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$231

Licensing fees

schedule

5 years (minimum)

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in New Jersey

To become a licensed Master HVACR Contractor in New Jersey, individuals must meet specific education and experience requirements, be at least 21 years old, and pass both the Master HVACR Trade Exam and a Business and Law Exam. The licensing body is the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors. While New Jersey does offer reciprocity, it is only with states that have comparable licensing standards and also reciprocate with New Jersey.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $45,920

25th percentile $50,640

50th (median) $69,800

75th percentile $86,780

90th (experienced) $102,050

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

checklist New Jersey requirements

Licensing body	New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a four-year U.S. Department of Labor approved HVACR apprenticeship followed by one year of journeyperson experience; OR a four-year Bachelor's degree in HVACR followed by one year of journeyperson experience; OR a four-year Bachelor's degree in a related field followed by three years of journeyperson experience; OR a two-year degree from a trade/technical/community/county school plus two years of a U.S. Department of Labor approved HVACR apprenticeship, followed by one year of journeyperson experience.
Exam	Master HVACR Trade Exam and Business and Law Exam ($131)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	5.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 21 years old. A $3,000 surety bond and $500,000 general liability insurance are required. EPA Section 608 Certification is also required for handling refrigerants. Only Master HVACR Contractors are licensed; HVAC technicians work under a licensed contractor.

Source: New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors

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_circleNew Jersey 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

How do I become an hvac technician in New Jersey? expand_more

The path to hvac technician licensure in New Jersey: complete the required education (Completion of a four-year U.S. Department of Labor approved HVACR apprenticeship followed by one year of journeyperson experience; OR a four-year Bachelor's degree in HVACR followed by one year of journeyperson experience; OR a four-year Bachelor's degree in a related field followed by three years of journeyperson experience; OR a two-year degree from a trade/technical/community/county school plus two years of a U.S. Department of Labor approved HVACR apprenticeship, followed by one year of journeyperson experience.), pass the Master HVACR Trade Exam and Business and Law Exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an hvac technician in New Jersey? expand_more

A state license is required in New Jersey. New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors handles hvac technician licensing — the Master HVACR Trade Exam and Business and Law Exam is part of the process.

How much do hvac technicians make in New Jersey? expand_more

hvac technicians in New Jersey earn a median of $69,800 annually. This exceeds the $59,810 national median by 17%. New hvac technicians start around $45,920; seasoned professionals can reach $102,050.

How much does it cost to become an hvac technician in New Jersey? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($131) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

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

In New Jersey, becoming an hvac technician generally takes 5 years (minimum), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do hvac technicians need in New Jersey? expand_more

New Jersey requires 5.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your hvac technician license.