HVAC Technician Schools in Maryland

HVAC technicians are responsible for the heating and cooling units that we enjoy in our day-to-day lives. These professionals can maintain, install, repair, and upgrade fixtures and components in various HVAC systems for optimal usage and longevity.

As an aspiring HVAC technician in Maryland, you’ll be glad to know that the process required to start your career is smooth and straightforward — or at least it can be if you’re well prepared.

A big part of the preparation is becoming familiar with all the steps and processes right from the very beginning, and this is exactly what we provide in the article below. Here, we explore key considerations, certification requirements, and potential salary, among other things.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Maryland

Candidates may consider the steps below to launch their HVAC technician careers in Maryland properly.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

Candidates must meet a few requirements before obtaining technical training as aspiring HVAC technicians in Maryland. One of these is that they have a high school diploma or utilize an equivalent document in its place.

Candidates are also expected to have attained the age of 18 by the time they graduate from a technical training program.

A fundamental understanding of physics and mathematics also helps immensely.

Step 2: Obtain Relevant Training

HVAC technology training in Maryland can be obtained through any of the following avenues:

Academic Training

Academic institutions such as community colleges and trade schools offer comprehensive HVAC training through which candidates may launch their careers. These programs last 6 months to 2 years, depending on whether they are certificate or associate degree programs.

On-the-Job Training

Aspiring HVAC technicians in Maryland who wish to avoid training at formal training schools may choose to get it from apprenticeship programs. These programs are popular all over the state, with some being run by trade unions and others by professional organizations and companies who are approved by the government to do so.

While apprenticeship programs tend to incorporate classroom training, their major emphasis is typically on hands-on training in real-world environments.

Certification & Employment

Lastly, candidates who have fulfilled the steps above need only fulfill the licensure requirements below, and they may start applying for employment at relevant establishments across the state.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Licensure for an HVAC technician in Maryland is compulsory. Candidates can qualify for a state license by following the steps above. They will then have to pass an examination in their specific license class.

Currently, there are three options: the journeyman license, the limited contractor license, and the master contractor license. All these license classes have unique examinations, but they cost $150 to apply.

The journeyman and master exams take 240 minutes, while candidates have 120 minutes to complete the limited contractor exam.

Candidates who failed their tests at first try can take it again after a 30-day waiting period. All licenses must be renewed every other year with a $20 renewal fee.

Top HVAC Technician Schools in Maryland

Aspiring HVAC technicians in Maryland may consider the programs below for top-quality education.

Explore HVAC Technician Schools in Maryland by City:

• HVAC Technician Schools in Baltimore

Salary & Career Outlook

According to data revealed by online employment platforms and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC technicians in Maryland may earn between $36,784 and $97,473, depending on where they fall in the salary spectrum. And, of course, where they fall in this spectrum will be a function of factors such as experience, location, credentials, place of employment, and more.

Those who are among the bottom 10% are the ones who take home close to $36,784, while those who are among the top 10% are the ones who can earn as high as $97,473. However, an average HVAC technician in the state tends to earn closer to an annual average salary of around $59,878.

As for the best places to work as an HVAC technician in Maryland, they include Rockville, with an annual average salary of $68,619; Gaithersburg, with an annual average salary of $65,402; Columbia, with an annual average salary of $64,029; Towson, with an annual average salary of $62,194; and Salisbury, with an annual average salary of $60,270.