With the rich experience that comes with each of its seasons, becoming an HVAC technician in Georgia will most likely pay off.
To take on such a career path, you must make moves to equip yourself with the skills and certifications to prepare and qualify you.
In this piece, we will explore the steps on how you can become an HVAC technician in Georgia.
Table of Contents
How to Become an HVAC Technician Georgia Step by Step
Let us discuss the details on how to become an HVAC technician in Georgia alongside some of the accredited institutes to obtain HVAC training and the expected salary estimation while you fully enter the HVAC industry in Georgia.
1. Obtain a Basic Education Certificate
The basic academic certification that you need to begin your journey into the HVAC industry is a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Candidates do not have to finish college, although it could be useful to scale through an HVAC examination to position you for better wages in the later days or years.
2. Get Work Experience
To complement the academic education, gathering practical experience is vital as this is a prerequisite to obtaining a work license in Georgia.
Candidates are required to gain a certain number of years of work experience related to the aspired HVAC career to show competence and ability.
3. Apply for a License
To become a recognized HVAC technician in the state of Georgia, you must complete a licensing assessment which is often conducted by the state’s licensing board.
Here are the steps to take to complete this phase of becoming a Georgia-based HVAC technician:
- At this stage, you are required by the region’s licensing board to submit a plan application containing personal data, academic certifications, and proof of practical experience, among others. Thereafter, you will be charged a token to process this application.
- Send in an assessment schedule request. After your application has been reviewed and passed on as valid, the concerned unit will release details concerning the HVAC contractor’s written assessment. Here, you will be told how to get set for the assessment and push through other required steps.
- Prepare and scale through the assessment. After you have fixed the timing of your physical assessment or examination, you must prepare theoretically and otherwise. The examinations are computer-based and are performed at the PSI/AMP assessment center candidate’s exam success status is displayed on the state’s Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site. Your success status will determine whether your license application gets approved. The state demands that you renew your license as recommended and possibly continue with training to improve yourself in the long run.
HVAC Schools in Georgia
There is little to no space left for unskilled workers in the Georgia region.
This makes training vital for those that aspire to become HVAC experts and in this section, we will review some top institutes to attend for HVAC education and training.
West Georgia Technical College
This college, accredited by the state’s technical college system, offers a diploma certification program relating to air conditioning and heating technology, installation, and repairs.
Their coursework is loaded into a 51-credit unit curriculum and promises a robust learning experience to impact candidates in the best way possible.
This institute charges over $100 for one credit for indigenes and an estimated $200 for non-indigenes.
The HVAC-related program offered is set up to be completed within a two-year timeframe.
Gwinnett Technical College
Gwinnett Technical College is situated in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta, Georgia with accreditation from the SACSCOC.
This institute offers a two-year program that cuts across diverse areas of HVAC training including air conditioning and natural gas technology.
The curriculum allows students to learn more about the elements and management patterns of air conditioning appliances, installation, and other related repairs.
Upon completion of training in this college, you qualify to operate as a device installer, building technician, refrigeration repair person, and many more.
Coastal Pines Technical College
This Georgia-situated college is also approved under SACSCOC to dish out a diploma program focused on air-conditioning technology.
Its 51-credit unit course offers candidates certifications in diverse electrical and mechanical components relating to or conditioning appliances.
Aspirants of this college may need to set aside up to $5100 as an indigene and $10200 as a non-indigene to cover the total credit unit.
Lanier Technical College
This institute, situated in Gainesville, Georgia, promises diploma programs enriched enough to educate students on all principles surrounding refrigeration and air-conditioning set-up and repairs.
To conclude training at this college, undergraduates are required to scale through the HVAC Excellence career certification assessment.
The fee for this assessment is excluded from the $100 and $200 charged per credit intake for both indigenous and non-indigenes, respectively.
Other educational options to check out include:
North Georgia Technical College
Southern Crescent Technical College
Southern Regional Technical College
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
School Name | Address |
---|---|
West Georgia Technical College | 1 College Circle, 1302 Orchard Hill Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240, United States |
Gwinnett Technical College | 5150 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, United States |
Coastal Pines Technical College | 1701 Carswell Ave, Waycross, GA 31503, United States |
Lanier Technical College | 2535 Lanier Tech Dr, Gainesville, GA 30507, United States |
North Georgia Technical College | 1500 GA-197, Clarkesville, GA 30523, United States |
Southern Crescent Technical College | 501 Varsity Rd, Griffin, GA 30223, United States |
Southern Regional Technical College | 15689 US-19 N, Thomasville, GA 31792, United States |
Georgia Piedmont Technical College | 495 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021, United States |
HVAC Technician Salary in Georgia
Generally, the salaries of HVAC technicians in Georgia are partially dependent on the city they are located and their level of professionalism.
Regardless, the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics, in a May 2022 publication, noted that there are 374,770 active HVAC technicians in the nation, with 12,210 operating in the state of Georgia.
These workers earn an average of $52,430 as wages yearly, which appears to be a little lower than the average $57,460 paid to HVAC technicians in the United States.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Atlanta | $48,157 |
Augusta | $45,883 |
Columbus | $44,592 |
Savannah | $46,071 |
Athens | $47,814 |
Sandy Springs | $55,494 |
Macon | $45,543 |
Roswell | $47,974 |
Albany | $45,070 |
Johns Creek | $48,796 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albany, GA | 140 | $44,860 | $21.57 | $59,650 | $30,990 |
Athens-Clarke County, GA | 270 | $46,510 | $22.36 | $61,930 | $30,980 |
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 6,610 | $57,650 | $27.72 | $80,150 | $37,950 |
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 660 | $50,420 | $24.24 | $71,240 | $31,850 |
Brunswick, GA | 120 | $44,580 | $21.44 | $59,980 | $21,040 |
Columbus, GA-AL | 280 | $46,100 | $22.16 | $61,010 | $29,490 |
Dalton, GA | 120 | $53,250 | $25.6 | $65,680 | $31,200 |
Gainesville, GA | 340 | $49,610 | $23.85 | $66,460 | $33,920 |
Hinesville, GA | 50 | $48,630 | $23.38 | $58,400 | $32,200 |
Macon, GA | 230 | $49,990 | $24.04 | $71,660 | $30,990 |
Rome, GA | 80 | $50,860 | $24.45 | $73,170 | $35,950 |
Savannah, GA | 390 | $49,540 | $23.82 | $70,310 | $31,820 |
Valdosta, GA | 170 | $50,800 | $24.42 | $71,840 | $31,670 |
Warner Robins, GA | 220 | $47,320 | $22.75 | $64,040 | $30,230 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the effects of having your HVAC license withdrawn in Georgia?
A revocation of your HVAC license can cause a series of issues ranging from negatively impacting your reputation in the industry to stopping you from legally operating as an HVAC technician in the state.
What is the salary range to expect as an aspiring HVAC technician in Georgia?
Georgia-based HVAC technicians can earn as low as $47,000 or as high as $78,000, depending on their experience and educational qualifications.
How much will I spend to obtain an HVAC license in Georgia?
These costs may vary according to the class of license to be obtained.
Also, other minute charges may add up, hence, the recommendation that you visit the state’s licensing board for detailed information.
HVAC Technician Info by State
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