HVAC Technician Schools in Maine

The job duties of an HVAC technician in Maine can range from installing and maintaining HVAC systems to making replacements and recommendations for improved performance. We aim to help state residents start their HVAC technician career on the best possible foundation by showing them the mandatory requirements to meet state laws and the optional requirements to help them enjoy career benefits.

To this end, we explore the basic educational requirements and the different training pathways available to interested candidates. Then, we dive deep into possible training programs and what candidates can expect when they secure admission.

Lastly, the article concludes with a detailed overview of the annual average salary outlook for HVAC technicians in Maine and the factors responsible for income disparity among professionals in the field.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Maine

Individuals in Maine typically follow the steps below to start their HVAC tech careers correctly.

Apprenticeship Route

The state of Maine allows prospective HVAC technicians to start their careers using one of two approaches. The first approach is to complete an apprenticeship program lasting at least one year.

Local union organizations and some non-union professional organizations offer the most common apprenticeship programs. However, certain employers may also provide license apprenticeship training and may even offer candidates the chance to get paid while they are still learning.

Academic Route

The second alternative available to aspiring HVAC technicians in Maine is to complete an approved academic program. This program must contain at least 160 hours of education, 75 of which must involve hands-on training, which is usually achieved through laboratory practice.

Additionally, candidates who choose the academic approach must work for at least 6 months as licensed apprentices before they can become fully-fledged HVAC technicians in the state.

Licensing & Job Placement

After education, individuals may move on to meet the licensing requirements specified below. They may choose a specialty area to secure employment with some of the top companies in the region.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a plumber in Maine

Licensure & Certification Requirements

HVAC technicians in Maine are expected to receive a license before they can start working professionally. However, the state’s licensing requirements are quite complicated.

Candidates may fall into various categories of licensing, depending on the kind of materials they will be working with and their overall specialty area.

The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation is in charge of the board that oversees licensing issues for the various areas of HVAC technology in the state. Typically, entry-level specialties require candidates to meet all of the above requirements and then submit a completed application form.

They are also expected to pay a licensing fee—usually around $40—and pass a criminal background check, which costs $21.

An HVAC technician license, regardless of category, must be renewed every two years in the state of Maine.

Top HVAC Technician Schools in Maine

The programs below offer robust education for prospective HVAC technicians in Maine.

Explore HVAC technician schools in Maine by City:

• HVAC technician schools in Portland

Salary & Career Outlook

It is worth mentioning that HVAC technicians in Maine experience disparity in their salaries based on factors such as experience, location, professional credentials, specialty area, and particular employment capacity. This makes it possible to divide professionals into three general categories depending on their annual average salaries.

In the first category, we have the lowest earners, making around $43,860 in an annual average salary of around $43,860. In the second category, the top earners manage an annual average salary of $99,708. In contrast, in the final category, we have the median earners whose annual average salary is around $66,130.

With location as the predominant factor, data shows that HVAC technicians in Lewiston earn the most in the state, with an annual average salary of $86,374. Those who work in Biddeford and Portland follow with salaries of $79,846 and $73,472 on average per year.