How to Become an HVAC Technician in Delaware

Owning a skill as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician in a region like Delaware may be just the exact thing you need to take your career to the next level.

This is majorly due to the high demand that results from the varying state of the atmosphere in the region.

This article will act as a guide to expose you to the necessary stages to follow to formally become an HVAC expert.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Delaware – Step by Step

Becoming a licensed HVAC technician in Delaware may require you to go through a series of stages, including getting some levels of certifications.

In this section, I will highlight all of these, noting some of the best schools to obtain such a degree as well as the expected cost and timeframe of study.

First, let us begin with the steps:

1. Be of Legal Age

An aspirant of such a career path in the Delaware region is expected to be 18 years and above with a high school certification or its equivalent.

However, this expectation does not include individuals who make the decision early to commence this line of study through a state career and technical study program.

Individuals must formally apply to an education or training program such as:

• A four-year apprentice program blended with over 144 hours of training in a year with a follow-up registration with the Delaware region Department of Labour.
• A seven-year apprenticeship training under the management of a professional HVAC licensee.

2. Obtain a Journeyman Certification

• This can be awarded directly by an HVAC licensee upon the completion of the seven years of direct training with a follow-up exam or
• After two years of supervisory training to complement the four-year apprentice program.

3. Obtain an Operations License

• Candidates must sign up for an internet-based test, send in a signup fee, and wait for the concerned state body for approval. Right after verification, an exam fee is required to qualify candidates to participate in an examination. Other background checks may be conducted upon successful completion of the examination and then a professional-level license is released to permit candidates to operate as an HVAC technician in the region. Delaware requires that all licensed HVACR technicians renew their licenses once a year.

HVAC Schools in Delaware

Before attempting to obtain a license as an HVAC technician, you must obtain the required education or training.

A number of these technicians opt to sign up under certain approved apprentice programs made accessible by the region’s Division of Industrial Affairs.

Others proceed to get an education from diverse Delaware institutions such as the:

Delaware Technical Community College

https://www.dtcc.edu/

The Delaware Technical Community College, which is situated in Dover, Georgetown, Stanton, and Wilmington, offers its students the opportunity to obtain a diploma or a graduate degree in HVAC (Associate of Applied Science).

The program assists in equipping candidates with the necessary knacks required to excel in the HVAC career path.

Candidates will also be trained to scale through industry proficiency tests or exams.

The Delaware Technical Community College graduate program is expected to span four semesters and the diploma is split to be completed in two semesters.

Delaware indigenes who enroll in this educational program in this college are expected to pay an estimated $152.50 per credit for the graduate program and diploma comprising 66 credits and 35 credits respectively.

Other aspirants are expected to pay an estimated $381.25 per credit.

Polytech Adult Education

https://polytechworks.com/

This is another training institute located in Woodside, Delaware.

The school’s curriculum covers HVAC theories and experimentations with innovative technologies which will aid students’ practical skills on the job.

Candidates who enroll for training in this institution are expected to go through a year’s program setup which will qualify them to obtain the Journeyman certificate issued by the region’s labor department.

Polytech provides the opportunity for HVAC technician aspirants to attend evening learning sessions for a variety of training in areas like operating gas and oil incinerators, heat pumps, and other mechanical devices.

Candidates are required to pay an estimated fee between $349 and $398 to gain access to each class.

Delaware Skill Center

The Delaware Skill Center, which is located in the Newcastle region, offers a three-month HVAC skill acquisition program to qualify candidates as a professional in the HVAC field.

The training comprises theoretical teachings in HVAC and internship practicals.

The training center’s curriculum is formulated for individuals who are already acquainted with HVAC training but have yet to obtain any form of certification in the field.

Candidates who plan to opt for this training option are expected to be 18 years and above with a driver’s permit and a high school certification.

They are also required to pass specific background tests including that of drugs.

Other HVAC education and training institute in Delaware includes:

New Castle Vocational Technical School District

http://www.nccvotech.com/

Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical School

Penn College

https://www.pct.edu/

HVAC Technician Salaries in Delaware

For a career path that gives the flexible option of education or apprentice training, HVAC technicians are somewhat duly paid, especially in the Delaware region.

According to details released by the Bureau of Statistics in May 2019, Delaware houses an estimated 342,040 HVAC technicians.

These technicians earn a mean wage of about $51,420 and about 1,780 of the total HVAC technicians earn a mean wage of $52,470, which ranks high as compared to the nation’s mean salary.

It is estimated that a Delaware-based HVAC technician receives an hourly payout of about $25.84 on average.

Regardless, all of these payout rates are dependent on the city in which each technician operates.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Wilmington	$51,482
Dover	$51,620
Newark	$51,443
Milford	$51,879
Seaford	$51,018
Middletown	$51,450
Elsmere	$56,000
Smyrna	$51,504
New Castle	$51,482
Georgetown	$51,879

Regional Salary in Delaware

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, OCC Code 49-9021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What city in Delaware pays HVAC technicians the most?

As published by ZipRecruiter, Ocean View town HVAC technicians have the highest hourly and annual wage payout.

How high is an HVAC engineer's wage?

There are different job titles one can assume as an HVAC professional.

One such is the HVAC engineer who is reported by ZipRecruiter to earn as high as $104,920, yearly.

Is HVAC a demanding career path to consider in Delaware?

Becoming an HVAC professional requires a varying number of years dedicated to training and education.

Also, HVAC technicians in Delaware and beyond often encounter a significant rate of injury, unlike many other jobs in the United States.

This makes the job more challenging.

However, with adequate training on how to handle the heavy-duty equipment required for the job, the risks of injury can be limited.

HVAC Technician Info by State