How to Become an HVAC Technician in Montana

If you are still determining what you want to do regarding a career but have HVAC in mind, look at my guide.

It includes course information, salary, and what licenses you need to perform HVAC work.

Kickstart your career with my in-depth, easy-to-read guide on everything you need to know about HVAC work.

How to Become an HVAC Technician in Montana: Step-by-Step Guide

There are education certificates and regulations that you need to complete to work as an HVAC in Montana:

1. You need to be 18 years old and have a GED or high school certificate
2. Get the proper training. This can be in the form of a college certificate or an apprenticeship.
3. Obtain an EPA 608 certificate
4. Register to be a contractor if you opt to be self-employed

Apprenticeships

If you wish to do an apprenticeship, you will do theory classroom studies and hands-on work.

Most apprenticeships go for four years.

You can apply for an apprenticeship at the United Association Union of Plumbers and Service Techs.

The internships go for 4-5 years and are trained by journeymen in trade-specific subjects.

College

Studying at college is another way to work towards becoming an HVAC technician in the Montana area.

Before being hired to work in the industry, you will need to have completed a degree at a university or trade school and complete your EPA 608 certificate.

Studying for the Associate of Applied Science will take two years or the basic HVAC course, which will take six months to one year.

EPA Certificate

You will need to obtain your EPA 608 Certificate.

This certificate is a federal requirement for anyone working with refrigerants, such as HVAC workers.

In most cases, the courses in Montana will include the EPA certificate.

License & Certificates

The state of Montana does not require any statewide testing for HVAC.

There may be local licenses you need to obtain before working as an HVAC.

Ensure you check out the local area rules and regulations before working.

If you wish to become self-employed, you will need a CCR, which stands for construction contractor registration and is required for all business owners in Montana.

You also need to have workers’ compensation insurance when running an HVAC business.

The fee is $70 for the license, and you must renew it every two years.

HVAC Schools in Montana

Gallatin College

https://gallatin.montana.edu/

Those studying the HVAC course at Gallatin College will learn about ventilation, refrigerants, heating, and air conditioning.

You can choose the one-year introductory HVAC course or go on to do the two-year Associate of Applied Science.

Flathead Valley Community College

https://www.fvcc.edu/programs/occupational-trades/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning/

Flathead Valley has an HVAC course that will qualify you to work as an HVAC technician.

All the classes are done on campus and consist of 28 credits.

The course goes for two years, or you can complete five semesters.

For those in the district, you can expect to pay $129.70, and those out of the district will need to pay $179.20 for each credit.

HVACRedu

https://www.hvacredu.net/nate-certified-technician/ 

If you wish to complete an HVAC course, then HVACRedu offers a program that HVAC Technicians can apply to.

The program will allow you to become NATE-certified tech.

It takes 256 hours to complete the course.

It is more complex than the average HVAC course as it includes building systems, sales skills, and HVAC/R applied math.

The cost for the course is $2,665.

Montana State University

https://montana.edu2.com/product/5094/hvac-technician

Montana State University offers an HVAC course that you can do in 200 hours.

You gain 12 credits, and it includes the EPA 608 exam.

The course covers basic ventilation, heating, and air conditioning fundamentals. 

You will learn about refrigeration cycles, system evacuation, gas furnaces, charging, components, and meters.

For those in the state, the fees are $4,184, and for those out of the state, you can expect to pay $16,354.

Salary – How Much HVAC Techs In Montana Earn?

When working as an HVAC technician in Montana, you will have an average wage of $49,178 with a salary bracket of $42,491 to 58,000.

You can earn more if you get more certificates and experience.

Your wage can also increase the more you work in the profession.

The salary is higher if you choose to be self-employed.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Billings	$47,167
Missoula	$41,406
Bozeman	$41,406
Great Falls	$43,181
Helena	$42,142
Kalispell	$43,909
Havre	$42,446
Miles City	$46,432
Belgrade	$41,406
Livingston	$43,919

Regional Salary in Montana

* 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

Is There a Certain HVAC Job that Pays the Highest in Montana?

To gain the highest salary in HVAC work, you need to be self-employed with your own business.

The salary you can expect when you are self-employed is between $68,000 to $210,000 a year.

The wage is significantly higher than the basic HVAC salary.

How Long Will it Take to Obtain my HVAC Certificate in Montana?

The timeframe is between six to twelve months to complete most HVAC certificates.

It will depend on your course or whether you take up an apprenticeship, which can last a few years.

Sometimes, you can study full-time and complete the course earlier than the standard timeframe.

Is There a Demand for HVAC Technicians in Montana?

Let’s face it: there will always be a need for HVAC technicians as long as we have heating and air conditioning.

So far, we are advancing in the field, so technicians are required.

The growth rate from 2021- 2031 is said to reflect a growth of 5%.

It is an average growth rate for this type of industry.

What Does the Career Path for an HVAC Worker Look Like in Montana?

The career path for an HVAC worker starts with the primary HVAC technician, and then you can go to a technical estimator, then work your way up to managing a company or becoming a lecturer and teaching students.

You can choose to work as an HVAC technician, or you can branch off to something else, but a basic HVAC certificate is required first.

HVAC Technician Info by State