HVAC Technician in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$67,630

trending_up +13.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

7,090

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Surging

+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$163

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years (4,000 hours) for 06A; 1 year (2,000 hours) for 06B

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in Washington

To become an HVAC Technician in Washington, individuals must obtain a specialty electrician license through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), as there is no standalone statewide HVAC license. This typically involves first registering as an electrical trainee, completing 4,000 hours of work experience and 48 hours of basic classroom instruction for the 06A HVAC/Refrigeration System license, and passing the relevant electrical exams. While Washington has reciprocity with Oregon for general journey-level electricians, this does not extend to specialty HVAC licenses.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,120

25th percentile $52,690

50th (median) $67,630

75th percentile $85,080

90th (experienced) $108,800

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
State license	Required
Education	48 hours of basic classroom instruction for 06A; 24 hours for 06B (as an electrical trainee)
Experience	4,000.0 hours
Exam	06A HVAC-R Restricted NEC and Theory Exam, and 06A HVAC-R WA Laws and Rules Exam (or 06B equivalents) ($55)
Application fee	$108
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	No statewide HVAC trade license. HVAC technicians are licensed as specialty electricians (06A or 06B). An electrical trainee certificate is required first (minimum age 16). All contractors must register with the state (minimum age 18 for contractor registration). Local city licenses may also be required. EPA Section 608 Certification is also required for working with refrigerants.

Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

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_circleWashington 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's required to work as an hvac technician in Washington? expand_more

Washington requires hvac technicians to complete the required education (48 hours of basic classroom instruction for 06A; 24 hours for 06B (as an electrical trainee)), gain 4,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the 06A HVAC-R Restricted NEC and Theory Exam, and 06A HVAC-R WA Laws and Rules Exam (or 06B equivalents), and submit your application ($108 fee).

Is an hvac technician license required in Washington? expand_more

Washington mandates state licensure for hvac technicians. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries oversees the process, which includes passing the 06A HVAC-R Restricted NEC and Theory Exam, and 06A HVAC-R WA Laws and Rules Exam (or 06B equivalents).

How much does an hvac technician make in Washington? expand_more

Washington hvac technicians bring home a median salary of $67,630. This exceeds the $59,810 national median by 13%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $47,120, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $108,800.

How expensive is hvac technician licensing in Washington? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($55) and application fee ($108) and required training.

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

Expect to spend 2 years (4,000 hours) for 06A; 1 year (2,000 hours) for 06B from start to finish in Washington — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a hvac technician license in Washington? expand_more

Washington requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your hvac technician license.