How to Become an HVAC Technician in Hawaii

If you are a Hawaii resident looking to dive into the HVAC industry as a technician, then you may be on the right path to a thriving career.

An HVAC technician is useful to help install and maintain both heating and air conditioning appliances used around the home or commercial buildings.

This means that they are needed all year round, depending on the appliance mostly used in response to the weather conditions.

This article will guide you through the stages of how to become an HVAC technician in Hawaii.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Hawaii Step-by-Step

Obtaining that status as an HVAC technician may require some years of commitment to certain activities.

Let us take a look.

1. Obtain a high school degree

This is the first step towards achieving my career goal as an HVAC technician.

Many employers often anticipate that a skilled HVAC expert is equipped with the basic reading and math knowledge that is acquired from attending a high school.

2. Get an HVAC education or training

Right after your high school training, you may need to narrow down to obtain HVAC training.

This can be achieved by either attending a college or enrolling in an apprenticeship program:

• Attend an HVAC Institute: If you choose the formal study route to get HVAC training, you can opt to attend a state college or institute. This will help you obtain the four-year required training to qualify you for a license in Hawaii.
• Sign up for apprenticeship: This training route is tagged as another means to getting your four-year degree as it stands as a school to gather trade skills. Hawaii has diverse apprenticeship programs set up by expert technicians who mentor apprentices for a specific number of years until they are skilled enough to become HVAC technicians.

3. Obtain a 608 certification

This certificate is also known as an EPA and it is offered to technicians whose job may be related to dealing with refrigerants.

To obtain this certificate in Hawaii, aspirants are required to go through an assessment conducted by the agency.

4. Apply for a License

If you aim to become an HVAC technician who works under a contractor in Hawaii, then you may not need to apply for a license.

However, to operate as an independent HVAC contractor, you may need to sign up with the state’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.

To begin this stage, you are required to apply for the license at a cost, attaching personal documents to your application.

Thereafter, wait to complete an eligibility assessment which will qualify you for the different classes of Specialty Contractor License.

Check this page for more details on the assessment requirements to qualify you for a license in Hawaii.

HVAC Schools in Hawaii

For students aiming to become an HVAC expert through apprenticeship, there is the option of signing up under the Plumbers and Fitters UA Local Union 675.

This apprentice training requires candidates to commit up to 10,000 hours to learn different skills like welding, mending, installing, and many more.

Candidates who choose this option tend to receive payment for their job and are entitled to other incentives.

Regardless, if you choose to get a classroom education, then here are some school options for you.

Honolulu Community College

https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/

This community college, situated in Honolulu, Hawaii, offers a variety of degree programs that can qualify you as an expert in diverse HVAC-related fields.

Aspiring technicians can opt for an AAS degree whose curriculum contains a workload of 63 credit units.

Alternatively, these students can choose to train under the certificate of achievement with relatively lesser credit units.

Either way, an HVAC graduate from this institution is guaranteed the theoretical and practical skills required to thrive in the HVAC industry.

Ashworth College

https://www.ashworthcollege.edu/

This Hawaii-located college provides HVAC students with the opportunity to earn a diploma in air-conditioning and heating.

Students can opt for the online study option at this institution, especially if they are already acquainted with the field and would need a flexible program to improve their skills for better employment in the long run.

Ashworth HVAC program’s curriculum is a perfect option to prepare for specific HVAC certification exams such as the 608 and ASE certificate assessments.

Kauai Community College

https://ocet.kauai.hawaii.edu/certified-hvac-r-technician-training/

This college offers an online learning solution for HVAC technicians who intend to improve their knowledge in the field.

Their curriculum contains courses that dissect the components of installation and the utilization of HVAC equipment, among others.

With the required 12 months of consistent training, students can confidently take on different HVAC certification examinations like the NATE, EPA, and HVAC Excellence Certificate exams.

HVAC Technician Salary in Hawaii

The United States Bureau of Statistics, in a May 2019 publication, noted that HVAC technicians receive a fairly encouraging wage.

The publication revealed that HVAC experts in Hawaii collectively earn a mean wage of $61,480 in a year, which is comparably more than the US estimated mean wage of $51,420 for HVAC workers.

Nonetheless, the salary figures for each worker vary according to their job description under the HVAC profession.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Honolulu	$51,134
Hilo	$50,791
Kailiua	$51,134
Kaneohe	$51,134
Waipahu	$51,111
Peal City	$51,134
Waimalu	$62,150
Mililani Town	$51,042
Kahului	$50,791
Kihei	$50,791

Regional Salary in Hawaii

* 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 is the total financial cost to expect as an aspiring HVAC technician in Hawaii?

The cost to expect while planning to pursue a career as an HVAC technician may vary according to the route you choose.

If you intend to get a college education, you will incur tuition costs, alongside certification examination costs.

Also, if you choose to obtain a license to help you operate as an independent HVAC contractor in the region, that would warrant an extra cost from license application fees to examination fees.

How long does it take to become an HVAC contractor in Hawaii?

HVAC technicians in the region can operate under contractors after obtaining their skills and certifications.

However, to become an HVAC contractor would mean getting a license which would in turn require you to have four years of supervisory experience in a ten-year time frame.

Is it better to attend an HVAC college or sign up for an apprenticeship?

The choice is mainly based on your preference.

Nonetheless, many people in the region choose the apprenticeship route as it offers better practical solutions compared to colleges that offer only online-based training.

HVAC Technician Info by State