HVAC Technician Schools in Oklahoma

Part of an HVAC technician’s major duties is to ensure that HVAC equipment and systems comply with federal and state regulatory standards. For this reason, anyone who wants to become a successful HVAC technician in Oklahoma must have a clear understanding of the current standards.

Of course, they also have to understand the general process of becoming an HVAC technician and the state license requirements needed to carry out their duties legally. The article below explores all these while providing a few examples of top training programs for interested individuals and projections for a candidate’s possible annual average salary.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Oklahoma

The following are the steps involved in launching a thriving HVAC technician career in the state of Oklahoma.

Age and Basic Requirements

Candidates must be at least 14 years old to register as an HVAC technician apprentice in Oklahoma. It is also important for interested individuals to have an excellent understanding of basic science and mathematics.

Furthermore, most training programs will be willing to admit candidates with a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.

Technical Training

Oklahoma residents need to consider many options regarding their specific destinations and training arrangements for their technical training. At a broad level, they have to choose between committing to a training program offered by an academic institution, receiving training on the job, or finding a way to combine both approaches.

Furthermore, even after deciding on a particular destination, students still have to narrow their options. For instance, those who would like to pursue academic training may have to choose between certificate programs and associate degree programs or between technical schools and community colleges.

The same goes for apprenticeship programs and “on-the-job” training, which trade unions, professional associations, and potential employers may offer.

Employment & Further Education

Properly trained HVAC technicians in Oklahoma can receive an employment offer and become full-fledged professionals. However, they must also continue to improve themselves by participating in continuing education even after securing employment.

Explore other trades with similar paths:

• Become an electrician in Oklahoma

Licensure & Certification Requirements

To legally work as an HVAC technician in Oklahoma, candidates must either work under a licensed contractor or acquire a license through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. Apprentices must also be registered.

Additionally, some cities within the state retain the right to require a license from professional HVAC technicians. For instance, candidates in Oklahoma City require additional registration for contractors even if they are already registered with the state board.

For the state license, candidates may choose three general categories: the mechanical apprentice license, mechanical journeyman license, and mechanical contractor license. Additionally, this license has limited and unlimited categories, with the limitation applied to cooling capacity.

The application fee for the mechanical journeyman license is $75, while the application fee for the mechanical contractor license is $330.

Top HVAC Technician Schools in Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma offers the following top training programs for prospective HVAC technicians.

Explore HVAC technician schools in Oklahoma by City:

• HVAC technician schools in Oklahoma City

Salary & Career Outlook

In Oklahoma, the annual average salary of an HVAC technician varies depending on several key factors. According to recently published data, the range is around $28,912 to $88,649.

Those who earn the lower end, the $28,912 annual average salary, are in the bottom 10%, while those who earn the higher end, the $88,649 salary, are among the top 10%. However, the most common category is among the median earners, whose annual average salary is around $50,626.

These factors that separate candidates into various categories include experience, particular employer specialty area, and credentials. A candidate’s location within the state will also play a key part.

Analyzing the best locations for a possible higher annual average salary as an HVAC technician in Oklahoma, Ardmore leads the way with an annual average salary of $53,133. Oklahoma City is followed by Oklahoma City, with an annual average salary of $52,746. Tulsa is also notable for having an annual average salary of $52,450.