HVAC Schools in South Carolina

Few residents of South Carolina (SC) would be willing to face the hot, humid summers without the protection of an air conditioner. Most homes and other buildings throughout the Palmetto State are equipped with climate-control systems to help keep residents comfortable throughout the year. As a result, the state is home to many jobs in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.

In addition to a relatively robust job market in South Carolina, HVAC technicians can enjoy the support of many unions and professional organizations statewide, including the UA Local 421, which is headquartered in Charleston, SC. HVAC workers also have the option of joining the Mechanical Contractors Association of South Carolina, which supports HVAC technicians, as well as numerous other professionals in the mechanical trades. This organization offers a calendar of events throughout the year, a scholarship for HVAC training programs, and other benefits to help members succeed in the industry.

In reality, a job as an HVAC technician in South Carolina can be truly rewarding for those interested in this type of work. However, before starting any new career, it is important to understand the scope of the profession. Here is an overview of an HVAC mechanic or installer’s typical daily responsibilities in SC:

Ensure HVAC equipment is properly calibrated
Conduct calculations on equipment
Keep proper records
Interpret blueprints
Ensure equipment and work are in compliance with the law
Move between various work sites
Offer education to customers on energy use and conservation
Maintain appropriate licensure and permits

Furthermore, anyone who works with refrigerants in South Carolina must maintain active EPA Section 608 Certification.

Ultimately, an expanding HVAC industry in South Carolina is an invitation for those interested in this line of work. This guide includes an overview of the HVAC industry in SC, as well as the salary expectations, various training programs, and licensure requirements for technicians in the state.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Technicians in South Carolina

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023) reported that there were 415,800 HVAC technicians working across the country in May 2022. The BLS (2023) anticipated that the industry would grow 6 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is twice as fast as the average for all occupations (3 percent).

Fortunately for aspiring HVAC technicians in South Carolina, there’s evidence that SC is predicted to need new technicians at an even faster rate. Projections Central (2023)—a data organization partnered with the US Department of Labor—reported that there would be a 6.4 percent increase in HVAC positions across SC between 2020 and 2030.

Although there is no single driving factor behind this rapid growth in opportunities, many reasons should be highlighted. For one, HVAC systems require routine maintenance by skilled technicians, and must generally be replaced entirely every 10 to 15 years.

In addition, the laws and regulations governing the HVAC industry are constantly in flux; this means that customers must utilize the services of HVAC professionals to ensure their systems comply with the law. Finally, nearly all new buildings in South Carolina will likely be erected with some type of climate-control system; here, skilled HVAC installers will be needed for the original planning and implementation.

There is perhaps no greater proof of the thriving demand for HVAC technicians in South Carolina than online job boards. For example, searching for available HVAC positions in South Carolina on Indeed (2023) brought up 880 results, with companies including Trane Technologies, Commercial Metals Company, McLeod Health, and Jacobs.

A similar search on Monster (2023) provided several results with organizations including Premier AC & Heating LLC, GlobalPundits, Preferred Home Services, LLC, and Army National Guard.

HVAC Worker Salary in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), HVAC mechanics and installers enjoy fairly comfortable wages, particularly considering that the occupation generally requires only six months to two years of postsecondary education.

Among the 374,770 HVAC workers around the US, the BLS found an average annual salary of $57,460. Wages for HVAC professionals in South Carolina were a bit lower, with the average worker earning just $48,170. In more detailed terms, here were the salary percentiles in this occupation in the US as compared to South Carolina:

	United States	South Carolina
Number of HVAC professionals employed	374,770	5,470
Annual mean wage	$57,460	$48,170
10th percentile	$36,170	$30,160
25th percentile	$44,100	$38,130
50th percentile (median)	$51,390	$46,490
75th percentile	$65,630	$59,330
90th percentile	$82,630	$63,980

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, Payscale (2023), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles:

10th percentile: $35,000
50th percentile (median): $54,803
90th percentile: $84,000

As noted above, the average salary for HVAC workers in South Carolina is somewhat lower than that of the rest of the nation. As with any salary projections, considering the cost of living is also important. As such, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) found that SC was the 26th most affordable state, ranking it almost right in the middle. For HVAC technicians, this means lower-than-average salaries will not go as far as they would in some lower-cost states nearby.

HVAC Apprenticeships in South Carolina

Before searching for work in the field, many aspiring HVAC technicians choose to complete a training program to obtain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed. This generally takes the form of an apprenticeship, formal degree, or certificate program, although other options are available.

Currently, the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 421 in multiple cities offers an apprenticeship for those interested in a new HVAC career. This program lasts for five years and requires participants to complete many hours of on-the-job training and classroom education. During the program, apprentices earn a wage that is calculated based on the compensation of the supervising journeyman and are also eligible for raises periodically.

Accredited HVAC Schools in South Carolina

Anyone looking to complete HVAC education in South Carolina should also understand that many aspiring technicians choose to enroll in accredited programs, which often last between six months and two years. Independent organizations for faculty, facilities, curriculum, and learning outcomes have evaluated these programs.

As of this writing, two main organizations offer accreditation for HVAC programs: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). The Central Carolina Technical College and Greenville Technical College (both profiled below) have earned accreditation from HVAC Excellence. As of 2023, there are no PAHRA-accredited programs in this state.

Midlands Technical College

Those interested in pursuing a formal degree in HVAC may consider the associate of applied science (AAS) in HVAC and refrigeration offered by Midlands Technical College located in Columbia. The college also offers an academic certificate in HVAC-R and a diploma in HVAC-R technician. These programs prepare students for careers in commercial and residential HVAC-R, and equipment maintenance and installation. They will receive classroom instruction as well as hands-on instruction.

The certificate consists of 35 credits and includes courses such as fundamentals of refrigeration; tools and service techniques; basic electricity for HVAC-R; heating fundamentals; basic air conditioning; heat pumps; duct fabrication; and domestic and commercial refrigeration.

The diploma comprises 45 credits, including all courses from the certificate. Additional coursework includes college orientation; contemporary mathematics; technical communications; and introduction to computers.

The associate’s degree program includes all the above-mentioned courses. Students in this AAS degree program must take 71 credits of courses, including additional units in advanced electricity for HVAC-R; advanced air conditioning; residential load calculations; codes and ordinances; advanced refrigeration electricity; advanced refrigeration; general psychology; refrigeration, calculation & equipment selection; and American history.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities at mechanical contracting firms, HVAC installation and repair corporations, refrigeration installation and repair companies, food preparation organizations, and more. The college also offers an HVAC entry-level training certificate.

Location: Columbia, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Certificate and diploma (three semesters each); AAS (five semesters)
Estimated Tuition: Certificate ($6,580); diploma ($8,460); AAS ($13,348)

Central Carolina Technical College

The Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter has HVAC Excellence-accredited certificate programs in both basic and advanced air conditioning and heating. These programs prepare students for various careers in the HVAC-R field. Including both practical as well as theory work in HVAC-R, these programs have both day as well as evening classes available.

In the basic program, students study 39 credits of subjects such as basic electricity for HVAC-R; tools and service techniques; heating fundamentals; domestic refrigeration; basic air conditioning; codes and ordinances; duct fabrication; and EPA 608 certification preparation.

The advanced HVAC-R certificate requires 25 credits of topics such as gas heating principles; service customer relations; advanced electricity for HVAC-R; commercial refrigeration; industrial air conditioning; troubleshooting and maintenance; and advanced air conditioning.

The program opens up HVAC-R opportunities in sales, service technician, installation, operations, repair and maintenance, and more for graduates.

Location: Sumter, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: 12 months or less
Estimated Tuition: In-state ($194 to $227 per credit); out-of-state ($331 per credit)

Greenville Technical College

Greenville Technical College also offers two HVAC Excellence-accredited certificates in applied science (AC/refrigeration technician or beginning electricity/refrigeration).

These programs require candidates to take specific competency exams in areas such as residential air conditioning and heating to qualify for graduation. Graduates of these programs will be ready to install and service every type of HVAC-R equipment.

The HVAC-R technician certificate in the applied science program comprises 36 credits. Beginning electricity & refrigeration certificate in applied science consists of 12 credits. The curriculum includes courses such as fundamentals of refrigeration; tools and service techniques; basic electricity for HVAC-R; heating fundamentals; basic air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; automatic controls; and basic sheet metal, among others.

Students in these programs will learn about the basics of installing, servicing, and maintaining residential, industrial, and HVAC-R systems. They will be prepared for the EPA Section 608 certification and other competency exams.

Location: Greenville, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
Expected Time to Completion: HVAC-R technician certificate (three semesters); basic electricity refrigeration certificate (one semester)
Estimated Tuition: In-county ($324 per credit); out-of-county ($349 per credit); out-of-state ($534 per credit)

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg Community College offers an associate in applied science and a certificate in HVAC-R technology. These HVAC-R programs help students develop the knowledge and skills for repairing, installing, and maintaining industrial, domestic, and commercial HVAC controls and equipment. They learn to design, service, and repair these systems and read blueprints.

The certificate comprises 39 credits. As part of the program, students will delve into domestic refrigeration; heat pumps; residential load calculations; automatic controls, codes and ordinances; fundamentals of refrigeration; heating fundamentals; air conditioning fundamentals; basic air conditioning; and advanced automatic controls. All courses earned in this certificate will be applied towards the AAS degree.

The AAS degree program consists of 67 credits. Additional courses include professional communications; contemporary mathematics; industrial computer techniques; and economic concepts, among others.

Upon successfully completing the program, graduates can take up roles such as service technicians, energy management technicians, preventative maintenance technicians, service managers, installers, and many more.

Location: Spartanburg, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Certificate (42 weeks); AAS (74 weeks)
Estimated Tuition: Spartanburg and Cherokee county residents ($204 per credit); Union county residents ($233 per credit); out-of-county residents ($252 per credit); out-of-state residents ($415 per credit)

Piedmont Technical College

Piedmont Technical College offers a 69-credit associate in applied science degree in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology. The college also offers the following certificate options: a 13-credit introduction to HVAC certificate, a 20-credit certificate in heating fundamentals, a 25-credit HVAC-R installers certificate, and a 34-credit certificate in refrigeration applications.

Students in these programs will learn to repair and diagnose malfunctions; install, fabricate, and size air duct systems; and estimate heating and cooling loads to select the most efficient systems. Moreover, the college’s practical training in a well-equipped shop and outside installation of service projects will provide students with the on-the-job experience they’ll need to get started in the HVAC industry after graduation.

The curriculum includes courses such as tools and service techniques; basic electricity for HVAC-R; refrigeration fundamentals; heating fundamentals; air conditioning fundamentals; electronic controls; wiring diagrams; commercial refrigeration; automatic controls; troubleshooting and maintenance; heat pumps; advanced refrigeration; special topics in air conditioning & heating; and advanced electricity for HVAC-R.

Location: Greenwood, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two to three years); certificate (varies)
Estimated Tuition: Greenwood, McCormick, Newberry & Saluda counties ($193.75 per credit); Abbeville, Edgefield & Laurens counties ($216.25 per credit); out of region ($227.50 per credit); out-of-state ($283.25 per credit)

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence-Darlington Technical College offers an associate in applied science degree in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology, providing students with the necessary skills required to install, service, maintain, and repair HVAC-R systems. The college’s state-of-the-art labs are equipped with a diverse offering of different HVAC-R equipment, helping students achieve success. Offering evening and day classes, the program provides students with different options to help fit their busy schedules.

Made up of 77 credits, the program includes courses such as fundamentals of refrigeration; tool and service techniques; basic electricity for HVAC-R; heating fundamentals; basic air conditioning; automatic controls; print reading for HVAC; gas heating principles; commercial refrigeration; advanced electricity for HVAC/R; advanced air conditioning; residential load calculations; and advanced refrigeration.

Notably, the college also has a 25-credit certificate in applied science with a major in essentials of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology.

Location: Florence, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (one to two years)
Estimated Tuition: In-county ($185 per credit); out-of-county ($196 per credit); out-of-state ($274 per credit)

Aiken Technical College

Aiken Technical College offers an associate in applied science degree with a major in general technology that emphasizes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This program provides students with the necessary skills required for the installation, calibration, and repair of HVAC-R systems. Admission to this program is open to all students who have met the appropriate prerequisites or have acceptable placement scores.

This 64-credit program includes courses such as fundamentals of refrigeration; tools and service techniques; wiring diagrams; heating fundamentals; basic air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; automatic controls; heat pumps; control circuits; safety in the workplace; power tools operations; and power tools operations.

Aiken Technical College also offers a certificate in HVAC-R that is restricted to students who have an associate degree or higher education in a related technical discipline. This 36-credit program includes courses such as heat pumps; automatic controls; commercial refrigeration; basic air conditioning; heating fundamentals; and fundamentals of refrigeration.

Location: Graniteville, SC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (one to two years)
Estimated Tuition: Aiken County residents ($189 per credit); non-Aiken County residents ($204 per credit); Richmond and Columbia County residents ($189 per credit); out-of-state ($267 per credit)

HVAC Certification and Licensing in South Carolina

As mentioned above, all HVAC technicians in South Carolina who work with refrigerants must maintain active EPA Section 608 Certification, which has four specific categories:

Type 1 (small appliances)
Type 2 (high-pressure appliances)
Type 3 (low-pressure appliances)
Type 4 (universal)

Furthermore, it is important to note that skill-specific certifications are available, as well, and are offered by the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (e.g., entry-level Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator); North American Technician Excellence (e.g., Industry Competency Exams or ICE); HVAC Excellence (e.g., Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology Plus); and a number of other organizations. Additional certifications can be highly beneficial when searching for a job or negotiating for higher pay.

To learn more about credentialing, please visit the HVAC national certifications page.

All aspiring HVAC technicians must become licensed through the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission before beginning any work related to their profession. To do so, the technician must submit an application, along with the following:

$135 application processing fee
Copy of driver’s license or another qualifying form of identification
Copy of Social Security card
Completed and notarized the “Verification of Lawful Presence” form

Once the application has been approved, the applicant will be deemed eligible to sit for an examination within 12 months. The applicant must then pass both the HVAC exam and the business management and law exam to be eligible for a license.

Finally, once the applicant has successfully passed these examinations, they must submit this information to the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, along with a $220 fee for the license and a surety bond in the amount of $10,000 (if the applicant intends on doing work with a cost of over $5,000).

As in any state, licensing requirements in South Carolina can vary by municipality, so any HVAC technician should verify the requirements in the city where they plan to work.

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.

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