HVAC Schools in Georgia

Georgia not only has a higher projected growth rate in HVAC openings than the national rate, but this profession also pays a relatively generous salary, two findings discussed in the next section of this article.

HVAC workers and air conditioning specialists in Georgia work in various environments, including residences, business buildings, schools, hospitals, and more. Particularly during the humid, hot summers in Georgia, these professionals may see the demand for their services spike. They may be called upon to work evenings, weekends, or holidays during this busy season.

It is important to note that HVAC technicians, mechanics, and installers do incur one of the highest rates of work-related injuries and illnesses in the country. This is due to the work’s physical nature, which carries a risk of electrical shock, burns, and muscular strains. Also, common refrigerants can pose health hazards as well. Given these risks, it is very important to receive the proper training in the safety and handling of sensitive materials, an area covered by the accredited HVAC training programs discussed below.

So what do HVAC workers in Georgia (GA) typically do? According to an analysis of common job posting websites such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and Indeed, HVAC workers in Georgia must understand the fundamental principles behind HVAC systems; install, repair, and troubleshoot HVAC systems and parts; maintain all necessary certifications; use blueprints, temperature/pressure charts, and manifold gauges; maintain all active credentialing to work in Atlanta; and make client recommendations to improve the efficiency of systems.

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) statistics, 11,520 HVAC and HVAC-R technicians were employed in Georgia. The technicians and their employers receive resources and support from national, state, and local industry associations, including:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC of America)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Georgia Hispanic Construction Association (GHCA)
UA Local Union 72
Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of Georgia (PHCC of Georgia)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
Conditioned Air Association of Georgia (CAAG)

This guide examines how to become an HVAC technician in Georgia, including a detailed examination of the career outlook in this field, salary prospects, accredited HVAC schools, and licensing procedures within the city.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Workers in Georgia

There is excellent news for Georgia residents interested in HVAC careers: it is expected to be a high-growth industry. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) anticipates a 9 percent increase in HVAC openings nationwide between 2023 and 2033, more than twice as fast as the 4 percent average growth anticipated across all occupations during that time. With the anticipated addition of 40,100 HVAC positions around the country, there is convincing evidence that this field will continue to have a bright outlook in the future.

Furthermore, Projections Central (2024) reported that the projected growth for HVAC workers in Georgia is expecting much faster growth than the rest of the country with 2,250 jobs expected to be added at a rate of 17.6 percent between 2022 and 2032.

As evidence of the thriving demand for these skilled professionals, a survey of common job post sites such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and others boasted hundreds of openings in this field. Indeed.com (2024) advertised more than 500 opportunities in Georgia at companies including Ragsdale Heating and Air, Arctic Air Heating & Cooling, Prodigy HVAC, Guardian Heating Air, Plumbing & Electrical, Anchor Heating & Air Co., Premier Indoor Air Comfort, and Cool Masters Services Inc.

Varied forces are contributing to the explosion in HVAC positions in Georgia and around the country. First, HVAC systems typically last from 10 to 15 years, typically requiring regular maintenance and repairs to keep them functioning properly. Second, as areas in Georgia are upgrading or retrofitting their HVAC systems, people in this line of work can expect steady employment opportunities. Third, nearly all modern structures have climate control systems, and therefore employment grows with the population of an area. Lastly, Georgia has a relatively high rate of construction, thus this state has a wealth of openings, particularly for HVAC installers.

According to the BLS, 8 percent of HVAC workers nationwide were self-employed in 2023, and 67 percent worked for HVAC contracting associations. While some of these skilled professionals in Georgia work normal business hours, others are called upon to install or service equipment on evenings, weekends, or holidays, particularly during the busy summer season.

HVAC Worker Salaries in Georgia (GA)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023) reported 397,450 HVAC workers around the country with an annual average salary of $59,620. This is slightly higher than the average $53,500 earned by HVAC technicians in GA the same year.

Here is how annual salaries and hourly wages for the 12,210 HVAC technicians working in Georgia compare to national averages.

	United States	Georgia
Number of HVAC professionals employed	397,450	11,520
Average annual salary	$59,620	$53,500
10th percentile	$37,270	$34,390
25th percentile	$46,550	$42,130
50th percentile (median)	$57,300	$50,630
75th percentile	$71,120	$62,350
90th percentile	$84,250	$77,190

Interestingly, Georgia’s HVAC mechanics, technicians, and installers made only slightly less money than national averages despite enjoying a relatively low cost of living. By illustration, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) found that Georgia was the 11th most affordable state in the country, boasting particular savings in housing.

HVAC Apprenticeships in Georgia

There are very few opportunities for employment for untrained workers. Most aspiring heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians attend classes or participate in an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships typically average 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom work annually for three to five years.

The Georgia Chapter of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Association offers an HVAC apprenticeship program for its members. The HVAC courses in this program are offered through the training arm of PHCC of Georgia known as the PHCC of Georgia Academy. This academy understands that contractors require flexibility in how they deliver training to their employees, so it offers classroom, eLearning, and in-house training programs throughout Georgia.

PHCC National developed the curriculum of this four-year program in conjunction with the Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACCA) and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). This is a nationally recognized training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Those just starting in the trades will need to take the pre-apprenticeship course that the PHCC offers. This is a six-week course that will teach students all about the P-H-C Industry and set them up with the tools they will need to succeed in their apprenticeship.

Workers can also participate in HVAC and HVAC-R apprenticeship programs from other industry associations such as the following:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

Each organization has details regarding available courses, scheduling, and fees on its website.

Accredited HVAC Schools in Georgia

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For aspiring HVAC mechanics, installers, and technicians in Georgia, appropriate training and preparation for the career is essential. Although it is not required for licensure, HVAC professionals in GA are encouraged to seek out accredited programs. There are two predominant accreditation agencies in this field: the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA), and HVAC Excellence.

These organizations weigh several factors in the program accreditation process, such as program mission, quality of facilities and faculty, and comprehensiveness of curricula. For an in-depth examination of each of these factors, check out the PAHRA and HVAC Excellence websites.

Luckily for Georgia residents, four PAHRA-accredited programs are offered by three institutions in Georgia.

West Central Technical College

West Central Technical College provides a PAHRA-accredited career diploma and certificates in air conditioning technology with sub-specializations for A/C electrical technicians, repairers, technician assistants, and installers. The 51-credit air conditioning technology diploma program is the most robust of all West Central’s offerings and prepares students for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.

Coursework in the diploma program and the 12- to 20-credit certificate programs includes refrigeration system components, HVAC-R electrical fundamentals, electrical motors, air conditioning systems application and installation, gas heat, heat pumps and related systems, and troubleshooting air conditioning systems.

Location: Carrollton, Georgia; LaGrange, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); PAHRA
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Georgia Piedmont Technical College provides two 12-credit certificates (air conditioning technician’s assistant and air conditioning electrical technician), a 51-credit diploma program, and a 66-credit associate of applied science degree program in air conditioning technology.

Students take general education coursework and classes in the school’s degree program. Georgia Piedmont’s programs include coursework on refrigeration principles and practices, refrigeration system components, HVAC-R electrical motors, HVAC-R electrical components and controls, air conditioning systems application and installation, gas heat, heat pumps and related systems, and residential systems designs.

Location: Clarkston, Georgia; Decatur, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); PAHRA
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College provides two 12-credit certificates (A/C electrical technician and A/C maintenance technician); a 14-credit natural gas technician; a 20-credit refrigeration system service technician; a 51-credit diploma (air conditioning technology); and a 65-credit associate of applied science (AAS) degree program in air conditioning technology.

As is the case with other programs, the main difference between the AAS and diploma program is the breadth of education—those in the AAS program will receive a wider breadth of general education in addition to HVAC offerings. Coursework across Gwinnett’s offerings includes refrigeration fundamentals; HVAC-R electrical components and controls; air conditioning systems application and installation, and troubleshooting air conditioning systems.

Graduates can take up roles such as equipment installers, service technicians, apartment maintenance technicians, sales representatives, refrigeration mechanics, and field service representatives.

Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia; Alpharetta, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); PAHRA
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

In addition to the programs listed above, as of October 2024, four institutions in Georgia offered seven HVAC Excellence-accredited programs.

Coastal Pines Technical College

Coastal Pines Technical College offers a 51-credit air conditioning technology diploma program and four air conditioning certificates which prepare students to become air conditioning repair specialists (20 credits), air conditioning electrical technicians (12 credits), air conditioning technician assistants (12 credits), residential air conditioning technicians (16 credits), or advanced commercial refrigeration (12 credits).

The coursework varies between each program and may include refrigeration systems components, air conditioning systems application and installation, HVAC-R electrical motors, heat pumps and related systems, troubleshooting air conditioning systems, HVAC-R electrical components and control, HVAC-R electrical fundamentals, refrigeration principles and practices, and refrigeration fundamentals.

Location: Golden Isles, Georgia; Jesup, Georgia; Waycross, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Lanier Technical College

Lanier Technical College offers a 51-credit air conditioning technology diploma program, a 16-credit basic residential air conditioning system design certificate, and a 16-credit basic residential gas heat design certificate.

The coursework in each program varies, but it includes coursework such as refrigeration principles and practices, air conditioning system application/installation, HVAC-R electrical motors, and gas heat. Students must pass the HVAC Excellence industry certification test to complete these programs.

Location: Gainesville, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

North Georgia Technical College

North Georgia Technical College offers a 70-credit associate of applied science (AAS) and a 53-credit diploma in air conditioning technology. NGTC also offers several 12- to 16-credit certificates that prepare students to become air conditioning technician assistants (12 credits), air conditioning electrical technicians (12 credits), and also prepare students to work in advanced commercial refrigeration (12 credits).

Similar to other programs in Georgia, the AAS program is the most robust, preparing students for job acquisition, retention, and advancement through a blend of HVAC-specific and general education coursework. Coursework across the programs includes HVAC electrical components and controls; air conditioning systems application and installation; troubleshooting air conditioning systems; heat pumps and related systems; refrigeration fundamentals; refrigeration principles and practices; and refrigeration systems components.

Location: Clarksville, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Oconee Fall Line Technical College

Oconee Fall Line Technical College offers a 61-credit associate of applied science (AAS) in interdisciplinary studies in air conditioning technology and a 51-credit air conditioning technology diploma program. Oconee also offers four 12- to 20-credit certificate programs that, upon completion, prepare students to work as air conditioning electrical technicians (12 credits), air conditioning repair specialists (20 credits), air conditioning technician assistants (12 credits), and heating and air conditioning installation technicians (12 credits).

Coursework in Oconne’s diverse programming includes refrigeration fundamentals; HVAC-R electrical fundamentals; heat pumps and related systems; and troubleshooting air conditioning systems. All programs except the A/C technician assistant and electrical technician programs prepare students to sit for the EPA Section 608 certification exam.

Location: Dublin, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Southern Crescent Technical College

Southern Crescent Technical College offers a 66-credit associate of applied science degree in air conditioning technology and a 51-credit diploma program in air conditioning technology. For those who are interested in shorter, more specialized programs, SCTC also offers 12- 20-credit technical certificates that prepare students to become heating and air conditioning installation technicians (12 credits), air conditioning repair specialists (20 credits), air conditioning system maintenance technicians (12 credits), air conditioning technician assistants (12 credits), air conditioning electrical technicians (12 credits), residential air conditioning technician (16 credits), and light commercial air conditioning technician (12 credits).

The associate and diploma programs prepare students to sit for the EPA Section 608 certification exam and one or more HVAC Excellence professional certification exams. Notably, the air conditioning technician assistant and heating and air conditioning installation technician programs also prepare students to sit for the EPA Section 608 certification exam.

Coursework in the programs includes gas heat; troubleshooting for air conditioning systems; HVAC-R electrical components and controls; and air conditioning systems application and installation.

Location: Griffin, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Southern Regional Technical College

Southern Regional Technical College offers a 54-credit diploma in air conditioning technology, a 20-credit technical certificate of credit that prepares students to become an air conditioning repair specialist, and a 12-credit technical certificate of credit that prepares students for work as an air conditioning system maintenance technician.

Coursework across SRTC’s programmatic offerings includes refrigeration fundamentals; HVAC-R electrical motors; heat pumps and related systems; and refrigeration principles and practices. The diploma program prepares graduates to sit for the HVAC Excellence competency work ready/exit exam in HVAC electrical.

Location: Thomasville and Moultrie, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: Up to two years

Please note that some accredited distance-based programs exist for people living in more rural regions of GA or who have commitments that make it impossible to travel to a school campus. To learn about these options, check out the online HVAC programs page.

HVAC Certification and Licensing in Georgia (GA)

Before securing employment as an HVAC-R or air conditioning professional in Georgia, it’s important to have the proper credentialing. There is one mandatory national certification for people who work with refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 certification of which four kinds are varying by type of equipment:

type I (small appliances)
type II (high-pressure refrigerants)
type III (low-pressure refrigerants)
type IV (universal)

Type II or higher is required for all GA conditioned air contractors seeking state licensure.
Also, several organizations offer national employment-ready certifications for HVAC. Here is a list of those organizations and some of their sample certifications:

HVAC Excellence – Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology (HEAT), HEAT Plus, Green Awareness, Heat Pump Service, Residential Air Conditioning
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) – Hydronics Gas, Hydronics Oil, Gas Heating, Air Distribution
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) – Commercial Air Conditioning, HVAC-R Electrical Controls, Dynamic Compression

To discover more about each of these certifying entities, check out the HVAC certifications page.

Finally, there is a required state-specific credential to consider. A contractor’s license from the Georgia Board of Conditioned Air Contractors is necessary for anyone who completes residential or commercial projects costing more than $2,500. There are two levels of conditioned air contractor licenses available:

Class 1 – Restricted (open to people with four years of qualifying experience)
Class 2 – Unrestricted (open to those with five years of experience, including proof of having installed systems with at least 175,000 BTU [net] of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling)

For those who have completed a certificate, diploma, or degree program, two years of this formal training can be applied to qualify for a state contractor license. Additionally, candidates must do the following to qualify for credentialing:

Submit three notarized references from professionally credentialed people
Show proof of at least a type II (high-pressure refrigerants) EPA Section 608 certification
Pass a comprehensive examination in conditioned air with at least a 70 percent score

The open-book exam comprises 100 questions, covering business and law as well as the technical aspects of the profession (e.g., system design, maintenance, and repair). The Georgia Board has reciprocal agreements with Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas, so candidates licensed in those states may be exempt from the exam. Georgia licenses are valid for two years, and licensees must complete at least eight hours of continued education (CE) per renewal period to maintain their credentials in good standing.

Jocelyn Blore

Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.

Sandra Smith

Sandra Smith was introduced to the HVAC industry when she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for a small air-conditioning contractor. She eventually became a CPA and started her own practice specializing in small business taxes and accounting. After retiring from business, she began writing articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. She also authored four books. Sandra makes her home in the mountains with a rescue dog that naps on her lap as she writes.