HVAC Technician Schools in South Dakota

The roles of an HVAC technician in South Dakota are varied and can sometimes be physically challenging. Those who would like to begin a career in this profession must learn the technical aspects of the job, including heating and ventilation systems, commercial and residential refrigeration, and more.

Before guaranteeing career success, they must develop customer service, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. The guide’s purpose on the page is to break down all of these requirements so interested individuals know what to expect when they start the process.

We also analyze avenues for career growth and provide a list of high-quality programs students should enroll in at the beginning of their education.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in South Dakota

Prospective HVAC technicians in South Dakota must follow the steps below to start their careers correctly.

Foundational Education

Foundational education at the high school level is very important for starting a successful HVAC technician career in South Dakota. This helps students understand simple principles they may build upon when securing admission into an actual training program.

Furthermore, most programs will also ask for a candidate’s high school transcripts or their GED results before they can start learning.

Technical Education

Naturally, it will only be possible for a candidate to carry out the duties of an HVAC technician with technical education. As it happens, technical education for prospective HVAC technicians must cover two approaches, including:

• Classroom Education—Classroom education is how candidates can get an effective introduction to the job without the pressure to perform immediately in a real work environment. This training can be received at a vocational institution or a trade school.
• Apprenticeship Training—While apprenticeship programs also cover classroom education, their major focus is on providing candidates with a work environment and helping them become familiar with the tools of the trade.

Certification and Employment

Certification is an important aspect of becoming a successful HVAC technician, as it can open up possibilities for career growth. HVAC Excellence and NATE are currently the most prominent alternatives for national certification.

Explore other trades with similar paths:

• Become an electrician in South Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

HVAC technicians in South Dakota are not legally mandated to receive a license from the state before they can start working legally and professionally. The state is one of the few countries where even HVAC technician contractors are not required to receive a state license.

However, most regulations for this profession are done at the municipality level. For instance, in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, HVAC contractors must receive a local or specialty contractor license before carrying out certain projects.

Typically, those starting a business must register with the South Dakota Secretary of State and follow the general steps needed for business registration. Of course, before they can work with refrigerants, all state and country HVAC technicians must have a Section 608 Technician certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Top HVAC Technician Schools in South Dakota

The schools below offer high-quality training programs for future HVAC technicians in South Dakota.

Explore HVAC technician schools in South Dakota by City:

• HVAC technician schools in Sioux Falls

Salary & Career Outlook

In South Dakota, the average salary an HVAC technician takes home at the end of the year depends on many factors. These factors combine to separate candidates into various categories: the lower earners, the median earners, and the top earners.

Those who fall into the lower category take home an annual average salary of $31,806, while the median earners go home with an annual average salary of $55,504. Ultimately, both can work to be among the highest-paid, earning an annual average salary of $96,858.

The responsible factors include experience, credentials, specific employers, and specialty focus. Naturally, a professional’s location in the city will also influence their annual average income.

Presently, Rapid City holds the first place for the highest annual average salary for HVAC technicians in South Dakota, with an annual average salary of $72,033. Aberdeen and Pierre are prominent places with annual average salaries of $70,425 and $62,833 respectively.