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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or service technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout The Show-Me State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Missouri, including HVAC apprentices, HVAC service technicians, HVAC refrigeration technicians, HVAC installers, and licensed HVAC contractors who own their own businesses, means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 11% growth rate in Iowa for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as compared with 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC jobs in Missouri posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know to get started on your career path as an HVAC professional in the state of Missouri.
Missouri HVAC Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVAC-R technicians receive post secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years.
The licensing requirements for HVAC workers and contractors vary from state to state and, in Missouri, from locality to locality. At the state level, there are no licensing requirements for HVAC workers. However, HVAC technicians and HVAC contractors must apply for certifications and licenses with their local licensing boards in most cities or counties.
Both Kansas City and St. Louis, for example, maintain strict licensing requirements for HVAC technicians and mechanical contractors. Both require HVAC workers in those jurisdictions to be certified. The Kansas City Department of Planning and Development and the St. Louis County Department of Public Works issue HVAC certification at the journey and master level and license contractors. In St. Louis, the categories for journeyman licensing are broken into areas of specialization commonly practiced by HVAC professionals, such as:
Pipefitter
Sprinkler fitter
Sheet metal
HVAC service-installer
Missouri offers many HVAC training programs all over the state, including in major cities and smaller communities. There are also many options for online training. Although no HVAC degree is required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during an apprenticeship.
There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).
In Missouri, one HVAC training school is accredited by both organizations:
These trade schools are also accredited by HVAC Excellence:
Jefferson College in Hillsboro
Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield
Here are some other Missouri training centers offering HVAC technician programs:
East Central College in Union
Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City
Rolla Technical Institute in Rolla
American Trade School in Saint Ann
Hillyard Technical Center in St. Joseph
Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield
Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center in Cape Girardeau
Union Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Missouri, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or union with which they’d like to apprentice.
Several unions in Missouri offer HVAC apprenticeships, including:
UA Local 8 Plumbers & Gasfitters in Kansas City
UA Local 178 in Springfield
UA Local 562 in St. Louis
Missouri’s Office of Apprenticeship also maintains a list of companies offering employer-sponsored apprenticeships for all trades, including HVAC service technicians.
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HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state, and in Missouri from locality to locality, and some require a minimum amount of work experience and education through an apprenticeship.
Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships, that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Missouri such as:
University of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia, St. Louis, and Kansas City
Washington University in St. Louis
In many cases, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become an HVAC journeyman or master HVAC contractor, a degree isn’t necessary.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates earn technical diplomas or HVAC certifications and leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the PAHRA or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration technology
Gas heating
Air conditioners
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
For all HVAC certifications in Missouri, you must pass the core section of the EPA certification exam, which covers the following topics:
Ozone depletion
Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol
Section 608 regulations
Substitute refrigerants and oils
Refrigeration
The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)
Recovery techniques
Dehydration evacuation
Safety
Shipping
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Missouri community colleges is approximately $4,464 per year for in-state students and $6,120 for out-of-state students.
However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
In Missouri, education and experience requirements for licensing varies from one municipality to another. Most training programs take about two years of schooling/work experience to earn an associate degree or learn what you need to know to pass the EPA Section 608 Certification Exam. HVACR apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Missouri training centers and colleges listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
State Technical College of Missouri, Linn
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
Jefferson College, Hillsboro
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
East Central College, Union
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
Rolla Technical Institute, Rolla
Offers a two-year high school program and a one-year adult program to prepare HVACR students to take the EPA 608 refrigerant certification exam
American Trade School, Saint Ann
Hillyard Technical Center, St. Joseph
Previously offered HVAC-R technician certification, but the program is currently unavailable
Midwest Technical Institute, Springfield
Franklin Technology Center Adult Education, Joplin
Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center, Cape Girardeau
Steps for Enrollment in Missouri
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in Missouri
Missouri mandates no state-level licensing or experience requirements for entry- and mid-level HVAC professionals. Certain municipalities may implement some HVAC license restrictions, so be sure to check local or city licensing requirements for the area where you will be working. Also, if you want to own your own HVAC business you will want to get your contractor license.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Missouri, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and Missouri’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Missouri HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Missouri
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Missouri? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Missouri for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $49,900
Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,300
Senior 4-6 years: $65,200
Supervisor > 7 years: $85,100
For more information about HVAC salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
The following unions in Missouri offer apprenticeships for plumbers, pipefitters, HVACR service technicians, and welders:
UA Local 8 Plumbers & Gasfitters in Kansas City
UA Local 178 in Springfield offers apprenticeships for plumbers, pipefitters, service technicians, welders and HVACR service technicians.
UA Local 562 in St. Louis
In addition, Missouri’s Office of Apprenticeship maintains a list of companies offering employer-sponsored HVAC apprenticeships.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska:
Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield, Illinois
Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa
Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Missouri. The opportunities are all around you.
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