HVAC Technician Schools in Minnesota

As an HVAC technician in Minnesota, you will be called upon to perform maintenance activities on crucial components. These include repairing faulty parts, upgrading old systems to state-of-the-art systems, and installing new ones from scratch.

Acquiring top-class training is crucial to performing all these duties at the highest level.

Along with training, candidates must also fulfill a few other requirements to start a career and enjoy a long and successful job.

The guide below outlines these requirements in key detail, starting from the steps involved in kick-starting the process and the certification and licensing requirements. Finally, we will discuss Minnesota’s top HVAC technician programs and the salary projection for professionals in the state.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Minnesota

Below are the steps involved in starting an HVAC technician career in Minnesota.

Meeting the Basic Requirements

Meeting the basic requirement of being at least 18 years old and having a high school diploma or GED is necessary for anyone looking to become an HVAC technician in Minnesota. Both of these provisions are critical regarding security admission into an appropriate training program. They are also needed to secure employment.

Training Program

When it comes to actual technical training to attain the skills needed to work as an HVAC technician in Minnesota, there are a few options to consider, including the following:

Degree and Certificate Programs

Even though HVAC technicians in Minnesota are not expected by law to have advanced degrees from colleges and technical schools, many people choose to do so anyway simply because it offers a higher appeal when securing employment.

It can also lead to a higher salary and a solid understanding of basic principles. Those who wish to graduate faster may opt for certificate programs, while those who don’t mind the time may opt for associate degree or even bachelor’s degree programs.

Apprenticeships

As mentioned earlier, HVAC technicians in Minnesota can start their careers without advanced education. Many candidates simply enroll in an apprenticeship program and obtain critical skills this way.

Apprenticeship training programs are typically organized by unions and approved parties. They focus on hands-on training and power tools, which take 3 to 4 years to complete.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry needs to set specific licensing requirements for HVAC technicians in the state. However, counties and cities have the right to oversee these requirements.

For instance, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metropolitan areas mandate HVAC technicians to be certified before securing employment. This certification is offered by the Minneapolis Construction Code Services or the Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspection – depending on the jurisdiction an HVAC technician falls under.

However, candidates will also be glad to know that both areas have a reciprocity agreement, meaning that certification obtained in Minneapolis is also valid in Saint Paul and vice versa.

Top HVAC Technician Schools in Minnesota

The following are the top HVAC technology programs in Minnesota.

Explore HVAC Technician Schools in Minnesota by City:

• HVAC Technician Schools in Minneapolis

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary for an HVAC technician in Minnesota is $60,314, which is practically in line with the national average for other states combined. HVAC technicians starting in the state may earn below this figure, closer to around $40,157, per year – the figure for the bottom 10%. Those who have been on the job longer may scale their earnings as high as $90,590 – the figure for the top 10%.

Naturally, a few factors determine how much an HVAC technician will earn in Minnesota. These include their particular establishment of practice, credentials, location, and experience, among other factors.

Sorting only by location, Minneapolis has the highest-paying HVAC technicians in Minnesota, with an average annual salary of $66,385.

It is followed by Saint Cloud, with an annual average salary of $65,491; Plymouth, with an annual average salary of $63,492; Saint Paul, with an annual average salary of $63,265; and Maple Grove, with an annual average salary of $57,803.