Back to the national HVAC Technician profile

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

Skilled trades

Vermont employs 970 HVAC technicians, with a statewide median of $62,150 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Vermont licensing picture, and where to train.

What HVAC technicians Earn in Vermont (May 2025)

Vermont median pay: $62,150 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,280
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,140
Top earners (90th percentile): $93,110
Employed in Vermont: 970
U.S. median (for comparison): $59,810 (May 2024)

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

Burlington: $68,430 (480 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Vermont

Prices in Vermont run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,150 median stretches to roughly $63,418 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Vermont (2024–2034)

Vermont is projected to grow HVAC technicians employment +6.5%, slower than the +8.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Vermont License and Certification Requirements

Specialty Electrician (A1 gas/oil heating or C3 refrigeration/AC) + EPA 608 — regulated by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Specialty Electrician classifications + federal EPA 608.

Get hired as a helper/apprentice in HVAC.
Earn the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants.
Obtain the applicable Vermont specialty-electrician license — A1 (automatic gas/oil heating) or C3 (refrigeration & air conditioning).

Official requirements: Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Specialty Electrician classifications + federal EPA 608 →

Training in Vermont

Vermont doesn't have a standalone HVAC license — HVAC work is licensed through specialty-electrician classifications (A1/C3). A community-college HVAC certificate plus EPA 608 gets you started; cold winters keep heating demand high.

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 Vermont?

The median wage for HVAC technicians in Vermont is $62,150 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,280, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $93,110. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Specialty Electrician (A1 gas/oil heating or C3 refrigeration/AC) + EPA 608, overseen by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Specialty Electrician classifications + federal EPA 608. Get hired as a helper/apprentice in HVAC.

Is being a HVAC Technician a good career in Vermont?

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

Which Vermont metros pay HVAC technicians the most?

Among Vermont metro areas, Burlington leads at $68,430. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is HVAC Technician a growing career in Vermont?

Vermont projects HVAC technicians employment to change +6.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 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), Vermont statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9021. Licensing summary compiled from the Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Specialty Electrician classifications + 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 Vermont wages · Vermont 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.