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

Skilled trades

Michigan employs 12,590 HVAC technicians, with a statewide median of $60,850 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Michigan licensing picture, and where to train.

What HVAC technicians Earn in Michigan (May 2025)

Michigan median pay: $60,850 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,210
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,780
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,290
Employed in Michigan: 12,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $59,810 (May 2024)

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

Ann Arbor: $75,000 (460 employed)
Detroit: $63,170 (5,740 employed)
Kalamazoo: $61,270 (430 employed)
Lansing: $60,440 (490 employed)
Grand Rapids: $60,190 (1,920 employed)
Saginaw: $60,060 (210 employed)
Flint: $59,870 (430 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Michigan

Prices in Michigan run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,850 median stretches to roughly $63,254 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2024–2034)

Michigan is projected to grow HVAC technicians employment +6.6%, slower than the +8.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,360 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Michigan License and Certification Requirements

No separate technician license — work under a licensed Mechanical Contractor — regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Mechanical Division.

Michigan licenses the business (Mechanical Contractor) not the individual technician, so entry-level techs start by getting hired and working under a licensed contractor — no individual license is required to begin.
To advance to Mechanical Contractor (and run your own business or be the license holder): demonstrate 6,000 hours (3 years) of verifiable experience in the trade classification, then pass the state exam covering HVAC concepts, Michigan State Construction Code, and the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (70% to pass).
EPA Section 608 certification is federally required for anyone handling refrigerants — this is separate from the state's licensing and can be earned while on the job.

Official requirements: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Mechanical Division →

Training in Michigan

Ferris State University and Baker College offer HVAC/R technician programs. HVAC Excellence and NATE certifications (voluntary) help with employer hiring and pay progression. Michigan winters drive very strong heating work demand across metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Michigan include:

Abcott Institute — Certificate
Delta College — Certificate / Associate
Dorsey College — Certificate
Dorsey College-Roseville — 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 Michigan?

The median wage for HVAC technicians in Michigan is $60,850 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,210, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,290. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No separate technician license — work under a licensed Mechanical Contractor, overseen by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Mechanical Division. Michigan licenses the business (Mechanical Contractor) not the individual technician, so entry-level techs start by getting hired and working under a licensed contractor — no individual license is required to begin.

Is being a HVAC Technician a good career in Michigan?

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

Which Michigan metros pay HVAC technicians the most?

Among Michigan metro areas, Ann Arbor leads at $75,000, followed by Detroit ($63,170), Kalamazoo ($61,270). 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 Michigan?

Real Michigan options include Abcott Institute, Delta College, Dorsey 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 Michigan?

Michigan projects HVAC technicians employment to change +6.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,360 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), Michigan statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9021. Licensing summary compiled from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Mechanical Division (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 Michigan wages · Michigan 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.