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HVAC Technician in Kansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Kansas employs 3,770 HVAC technicians, with a statewide median of $60,460 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What HVAC technicians Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay: $60,460 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,660
Experienced (75th percentile): $72,830
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,500
Employed in Kansas: 3,770
U.S. median (for comparison): $59,810 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for HVAC technicians in major Kansas markets:

Topeka: $64,480 (220 employed)
Kansas City: $62,680 (3,010 employed)
St. Joseph: $61,910 (170 employed)
Wichita: $59,520 (880 employed)
Manhattan: $58,000 (150 employed)
Joplin: $55,360 (210 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,460 median stretches to roughly $67,103 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to grow HVAC technicians employment +8.6%, about in line with the +8.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 420 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

HVAC license (issued locally) + federal EPA 608 — regulated by the Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide HVAC license) + federal EPA 608.

Be 18+ and meet local experience requirements (e.g., one year of work plus one year of trade school, or two years of experience).
Earn the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants.
Get an HVAC license from the city/county where you'll work; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide HVAC license) + federal EPA 608 →

Training in Kansas

Kansas regulates HVAC locally, not statewide. A community-college HVAC certificate plus EPA 608 gets you working fast; check your jurisdiction's rules.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kansas include:

Dodge City Community College — Certificate / Associate
Fort Hays Tech North Central — Certificate
Fort Scott Community College — Certificate / Associate
Highland Community College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want hands-on technical work with a shorter training runway than many licensed trades.

Think twice if: Extreme weather, attics, crawl spaces, and seasonal busy periods sound miserable.

Why it's resilient: Heating and cooling work combines mechanical diagnosis, in-person repair, weather-driven urgency, and local service trust.

First Steps

Compare local HVAC certificate programs and entry-level helper roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do HVAC technicians make in Kansas?

The median wage for HVAC technicians in Kansas is $60,460 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,660, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,500. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a HVAC Technician in Kansas?

HVAC license (issued locally) + federal EPA 608, overseen by the Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide HVAC license) + federal EPA 608. Be 18+ and meet local experience requirements (e.g., one year of work plus one year of trade school, or two years of experience).

Is being a HVAC Technician a good career in Kansas?

Heating and cooling work combines mechanical diagnosis, in-person repair, weather-driven urgency, and local service trust.

Which Kansas metros pay HVAC technicians the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Topeka leads at $64,480, followed by Kansas City ($62,680), St. Joseph ($61,910). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a HVAC Technician in Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Dodge City Community College, Fort Hays Tech North Central, Fort Scott Community College. Most HVAC technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is HVAC Technician a growing career in Kansas?

Kansas projects HVAC technicians employment to change +8.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 420 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9021. Licensing summary compiled from the Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide HVAC license) + federal EPA 608 (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Kansas wages · Kansas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.