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

Skilled trades

Washington employs 7,370 HVAC technicians, with a statewide median of $75,660 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.

What HVAC technicians Earn in Washington (May 2025)

Washington median pay: $75,660 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,810
Experienced (75th percentile): $93,970
Top earners (90th percentile): $120,360
Employed in Washington: 7,370
U.S. median (for comparison): $59,810 (May 2024)

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

Seattle–Tacoma: $80,100 (3,940 employed)
Olympia: $76,260 (270 employed)
Tri-Cities: $75,660 (520 employed)
Bellingham: $72,190 (240 employed)
Spokane: $62,840 (610 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Washington

Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $75,660 median is worth closer to $70,710 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)

Washington is projected to grow HVAC technicians employment +10.6%, faster than the +8.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 930 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Washington License and Certification Requirements

HVAC/R Specialty Electrician (06A) or Restricted HVAC/R (06B) — regulated by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Program.

Register as an Electrical Trainee with L&I. For HVAC/R work you'll pursue the 06A specialty (full HVAC/refrigeration) or 06B restricted path — both require supervision at least 75% of the time.
Accumulate 4,000 OJT hours for the 06A specialty (or 2,000 for the 06B restricted) plus 48 hours of approved classroom instruction before exam eligibility.
Pass the L&I HVAC/R specialty electrician exam. EPA 608 certification is also required federally to handle refrigerants.

Official requirements: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Program →

Training in Washington

HVAC employers in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities are strong. Sheet Metal Workers Local 66 (Western WA) and Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 32 both have HVAC apprenticeship pipelines. Many employers sponsor EPA 608 prep as part of onboarding.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Washington include:

Bates Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Bellingham Technical College — Associate
Clover Park Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Lower Columbia 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 Washington?

The median wage for HVAC technicians in Washington is $75,660 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,810, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $120,360. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

HVAC/R Specialty Electrician (06A) or Restricted HVAC/R (06B), overseen by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Program. Register as an Electrical Trainee with L&I. For HVAC/R work you'll pursue the 06A specialty (full HVAC/refrigeration) or 06B restricted path — both require supervision at least 75% of the time.

Is being a HVAC Technician a good career in Washington?

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

Which Washington metros pay HVAC technicians the most?

Among Washington metro areas, Seattle–Tacoma leads at $80,100, followed by Olympia ($76,260), Tri-Cities ($75,660). 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 Washington?

Real Washington options include Bates Technical College, Bellingham Technical College, Clover Park Technical 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 Washington?

Washington projects HVAC technicians employment to change +10.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 930 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), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9021. Licensing summary compiled from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Program (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 Washington wages · Washington 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.