HVAC Technician in Virginia

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

Median annual salary

$60,630

trending_up +1.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

13,640

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Surging

+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Licensing fees

schedule

2-10 years

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in Virginia

To become a licensed HVAC Technician in Virginia, individuals must obtain a Journeyman or Master HVAC Tradesman license through the Virginia Board for Contractors. Key steps include meeting specific education and experience prerequisites, passing the Virginia HVAC Tradesman Exam (Journeyman or Master level), and submitting an application with a fee. Virginia offers reciprocity for HVAC licenses from Maryland, and new Residential HVAC Mechanic licenses will be available starting April 1, 2025, offering a pathway to Journeyman status with reduced requirements for residential work.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,710

25th percentile $48,240

50th (median) $60,630

75th percentile $72,970

90th (experienced) $81,750

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

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	Virginia Board for Contractors
State license	Required
Education	Varies depending on license type and experience. For Journeyman: 240 hours of formal vocational training and 4 years of practical experience, OR 160 hours of formal vocational training and 5 years of practical experience, OR 80 hours of formal vocational training and 6 years of practical experience, OR 40 hours of formal vocational training and 7 years of practical experience, OR 8 years of practical experience, OR an associate's degree from a two-year program and 2 years of practical experience, OR a bachelor's degree in an engineering curriculum and 1 year of practical experience. For Master: 1 year of practical experience as a licensed Virginia Journeyman HVAC Tradesman, OR 10 years of practical experience in the trade.
Exam	Virginia HVAC Tradesman Exam (Journeyman or Master) ($100)
Application fee	$150
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	3.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for Journeyman is 18 years old. Journeyman exam requires a 60% passing score. Master exam requires a 64% passing score. Both exams are 85 questions and 210 minutes long. As of April 1, 2025, new Residential HVAC Mechanic licenses will be available with reduced experience and training requirements for residential work only, serving as a step towards Journeyman status.

Source: Virginia Board for Contractors

workspace_premium Virginia license tiers

Virginia offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman	8,000
Master	2,000

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_circleVirginia 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 you get certified as an hvac technician in Virginia? expand_more

The path to hvac technician licensure in Virginia: complete the required education (Varies depending on license type and experience. For Journeyman: 240 hours of formal vocational training and 4 years of practical experience, OR 160 hours of formal vocational training and 5 years of practical experience, OR 80 hours of formal vocational training and 6 years of practical experience, OR 40 hours of formal vocational training and 7 years of practical experience, OR 8 years of practical experience, OR an associate's degree from a two-year program and 2 years of practical experience, OR a bachelor's degree in an engineering curriculum and 1 year of practical experience. For Master: 1 year of practical experience as a licensed Virginia Journeyman HVAC Tradesman, OR 10 years of practical experience in the trade.), pass the Virginia HVAC Tradesman Exam (Journeyman or Master), and submit your application ($150 fee).

Is an hvac technician license required in Virginia? expand_more

A state license is required in Virginia. Virginia Board for Contractors handles hvac technician licensing — the Virginia HVAC Tradesman Exam (Journeyman or Master) is part of the process.

How much do hvac technicians make in Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, the median pay for hvac technicians comes to $60,630/year. This is close to the national median of $59,810. The range spans from $40,710 at the entry level to $81,750 for top earners.

How expensive is hvac technician licensing in Virginia? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($100) and application fee ($150). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become an hvac technician in Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, becoming an hvac technician generally takes 2-10 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does Virginia require continuing education for hvac technicians? expand_more

License renewal in Virginia requires completing 3.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.