Illinois has a growing demand for HVAC technicians, with an employment of 9,360 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021).
Such a high number can be attributed to the fact that the state doesn’t require state-level licensing.
Even without this requirement, it’s still best to look over the information on this page.
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HVAC Programs in Illinois
The absence of a state-level license shouldn’t stop you from becoming a highly qualified HVAC technician.
To achieve this, you need the appropriate education, training, and experience from an accredited HVAC program.
Listed below are some of the HVAC training centers in Illinois that you can check out.
34 HVAC Schools in Illinois
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashworth College | 6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092 |
| Black Hawk College | 1501 State Hwy. 78, Kewanne, IL 61443 |
| College of Dupage | 22nd St & Lambert Road, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 |
| College of Lake County | 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake, IL 60030 |
| Coyne College | 330 N. Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607 |
| Elgin Community College | 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123 |
| Environmental Technical Institute | 1101 W. Thorndale Avenue, Itasca, IL 60143 |
| Environmental Technical Institute | 13010 South Division Street, Blue Island, IL 60406 |
| Gateway Technical College-Kenosha Campus | 3520 30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53144 |
| Harper College | 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067 |
| HVAC Tech | 5401 W. 65th Street, 4th Floor, Bedford Park, IL 60638 |
| hvacredu.net (Online Training) | P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844 |
| Illinois Central College | 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL 61635 |
| John A. Logan College | 700 Logan College Road, Carterville, IL 62918 |
| Joliet Junior College | 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431 |
| Kankakee Community College | 100 College Drive, Kankakee, IL 60901 |
| Kennedy-King College | 6800 S. Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, IL 60621 |
| Lake Land College | 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | 5250 Shepherd Road, Box 19256, Springfield, IL 11111 |
| Lincoln Trail College | 11220 State Hwy 1, Robinson, IL 62454 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | 2731 Farmers Market Road, Springfield, IL 62707 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | 10900 S. 88th Avenue, Palos Hills, IL 60465 |
| Morton College | 3801 S. Central Avenue, Cicero, IL 60201 |
| Oakton Community College | 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016 |
| Parkland College | 2400 W. Bradley Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821 |
| Prairie State College | 202 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60411 |
| Richland Community College | One College Park, Decatur, IL 62521 |
| Sauk Valley Community College | Route 2, 173 Illinois, Dixon, IL 61021 |
| Southwestern Illinois College/Belleville Campus | 2500 Carlyle Road, Belleville, IL 62221 |
| Technology Center of Dupage | 301 South Swift Street, Addison, IL 60101 |
| Triton College | 2000 5th Avenue, Bldg I-29, River Grove, IL 60139 |
| Truman College-Technical Ctr/Occupational Prgms | 1200 West Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640 |
| Vatterott College | 501 N 3rd. Street, Quincy, IL 62301 |
| Waubonsee Community College | Rt 47 @ Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 |
EPA Certification
With or without a state-level license, you’re required by the federal government to obtain the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.
It’s a mandatory certification born from the Clean Air Act that ensures all technicians can safely work with refrigerants.
Read our guide to EPA certification to learn more.
Local-level Licensing
Some localities in Illinois may require you to get a license, while some may not.
For example, Chicago has no local-level license requirements for you to perform HVAC services.
That’s why it’s recommended that you check with the local government offices where you’ll be working.
Moreover, if you want to start an HVAC business, then you should check with your locality for any requirements.
Usually, at a minimum, you’ll be asked to provide a…
- Business name registration to the Secretary of State
- Worker’s compensation insurance
Potential Salary
HVAC technicians can earn competitive salaries in Illinois.
Per BLS (May 2021), the salary ranges between $30,000 to $84,000, with an average of $57,460 annually.
Take a look at the table below to know how much you can potentially earn in 10 of Illinois’s cities.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $49,776 |
| Rockford | $46,922 |
| Aurora | $49,325 |
| Naperville | $48,715 |
| Peoria | $45,280 |
| Springfield | $43,130 |
| Joliet | $48,282 |
| Elgin | $49,044 |
| Waukegan | $46,795 |
| Cicero | $49,776 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 110 | $61,520 | $29.58 | $81,570 | $38,180 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 210 | $69,380 | $33.36 | $109,000 | $42,520 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 6,140 | $74,840 | $35.98 | $115,570 | $44,770 |
| Decatur, IL | 70 | $67,260 | $32.34 | $97,620 | $45,620 |
| Kankakee, IL | 50 | $62,400 | $30.00 | $79,840 | $37,900 |
| Peoria, IL | 270 | $72,800 | $35.00 | $103,370 | $44,510 |
| Rockford, IL | 180 | $73,780 | $35.47 | $110,170 | $43,970 |
| Springfield, IL | 130 | $69,050 | $33.20 | $102,700 | $44,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
HVAC Schools by City
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