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

Skilled trades

Texas employs 34,730 HVAC technicians, with a statewide median of $57,760 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What HVAC technicians Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $57,760 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,100
Experienced (75th percentile): $69,860
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,860
Employed in Texas: 34,730
U.S. median (for comparison): $59,810 (May 2024)

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

Austin: $60,820 (3,140 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $59,560 (10,910 employed)
Houston: $58,940 (7,680 employed)
San Antonio: $58,590 (3,160 employed)
El Paso: $47,270 (790 employed)
McAllen: $47,170 (530 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,760 median stretches to roughly $59,485 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow HVAC technicians employment +13.0%, faster than the +8.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 3,350 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

ACR Registered Technician (entry) / Certified Technician (voluntary) — regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Register as an ACR Technician with TDLR ($20, age 16+) — required to assist a licensed air conditioning contractor with maintenance or repair work.
Optionally become a Certified Technician ($50): two years of supervised ACR work plus a TDLR-approved 2,000-hour combined instruction and practical experience program.
To run your own HVAC business later, you need the ACR Contractor license (36+ months of practical experience under a licensed contractor, plus an exam).

Official requirements: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) →

Training in Texas

Entry is fast in Texas: register with TDLR, get hired as a helper, and learn on the job. Community college HVAC certificates (6–12 months) at places like Houston Community College, Dallas College, and San Antonio's St. Philip's College strengthen your start. EPA 608 certification is required federally to handle refrigerants.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Arlington Career Institute — Certificate
Austin Career Institute LLC — Certificate
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas — Certificate
Brazosport 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 Texas?

The median wage for HVAC technicians in Texas is $57,760 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,100, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,860. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

ACR Registered Technician (entry) / Certified Technician (voluntary), overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Register as an ACR Technician with TDLR ($20, age 16+) — required to assist a licensed air conditioning contractor with maintenance or repair work.

Is being a HVAC Technician a good career in Texas?

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

Which Texas metros pay HVAC technicians the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $60,820, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth ($59,560), Houston ($58,940). 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 Texas?

Real Texas options include Arlington Career Institute, Austin Career Institute LLC, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Dallas. Most HVAC technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is HVAC Technician a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects HVAC technicians employment to change +13.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,350 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9021. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.