HVAC Technician in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Mississippi employs 2,700 HVAC technicians, with a statewide median of $48,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.
What HVAC technicians Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)
- Mississippi median pay
- $48,680 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $36,160
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $61,390
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $76,240
- Employed in Mississippi
- 2,700
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $59,810 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for HVAC technicians in major Mississippi markets:
- Memphis
- $56,780 (1,740 employed)
- Jackson
- $52,060 (770 employed)
- Gulfport
- $48,230 (330 employed)
- Hattiesburg
- $46,590 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi
Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,680 median stretches to roughly $55,954 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)
Mississippi is projected to grow HVAC technicians employment +13.7%, faster than the +8.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 320 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Mississippi License and Certification Requirements
Mechanical (HVAC) Contractor license + federal EPA 608 — regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (Mechanical classification).
- Get hired as a helper/apprentice and build experience (about 4 years as journeyman/foreman/supervisor).
- Earn the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants.
- For HVAC work of $10,000+, the business needs a Mechanical commercial contractor license (trade exam 70% + business & law exam).
Official requirements: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (Mechanical classification) →
Training in Mississippi
Mississippi licenses HVAC at the contractor level for larger jobs. A community-college HVAC certificate plus EPA 608 gets you working fast; the contractor license is the path to running jobs.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:
- Coahoma Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Certificate / Associate
- East Central Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Hinds Community College — Certificate / Associate
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 Mississippi?
The median wage for HVAC technicians in Mississippi is $48,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,160, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,240. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a HVAC Technician in Mississippi?
Mechanical (HVAC) Contractor license + federal EPA 608, overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (Mechanical classification). Get hired as a helper/apprentice and build experience (about 4 years as journeyman/foreman/supervisor).
Is being a HVAC Technician a good career in Mississippi?
Heating and cooling work combines mechanical diagnosis, in-person repair, weather-driven urgency, and local service trust.
Which Mississippi metros pay HVAC technicians the most?
Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $56,780, followed by Jackson ($52,060), Gulfport ($48,230). 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 Mississippi?
Real Mississippi options include Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central 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 Mississippi?
Mississippi projects HVAC technicians employment to change +13.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 320 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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9021. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (Mechanical classification) (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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.