Pursuit for a well-paid job may be a hard one.
However, something that you should definitely consider is a career of a HVAC technician.
The salaries are decent, and you can even be your own boss. Here is the information you need before you start.
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Salary
Your salary will depend on many factors. Some of them are the experience, skills, education, as well as licenses that you have obtained.
Here is what HVAC technician salaries look like in ten largest cities in Louisiana:
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Louisiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $46,389 |
| Baton Rouge | $42,985 |
| Shreveport | $42,962 |
| Lafayette | $42,653 |
| Lake Charles | $42,344 |
| Kenner | $46,364 |
| Bossier City | $42,962 |
| Monroe | $42,738 |
| Alexandria | $41,401 |
| New Iberia | $42,404 |
Licensing
To be a HVAC technician in the state of Louisiana, you will need to attain a license.
As a HVAC technician you can expect to be a part of the solution to the problems of extreme cold and heat.
That is exactly why HVAC technicians are highly valued.
Traditional Training
There are two options for you if you want to become a HVAC technician. Those options are traditional and alternative training.
Under traditional training we mean attending a vocational school or a college and completing an HVAC program that is approved.
Many schools offer them, and they include electrical and refrigeration courses in addition to the air conditioning and heating courses.
Schools
As it was already mentioned in Louisiana you need a license in order to work as a HVAC technician.
You also need to complete an approved HVAC program or take other course to licensure by acquiring some alternative training.
Vocational schools and colleges are perfect places to get experience, knowledge and skills.
This is the usual way to become a HVAC technician. Here are the top official HVAC training centers in Louisiana:
31 HVAC Schools in Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashworth College | 6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092 |
| Blue Cliff College | 120 James Comeaux Road, Lafayette & Houma, LA 70508 |
| Bossier Parish Community College | 2719 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 91111 |
| Delgado Community College-City Park Campus | 615 City Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Fortis College | 9255 Interline Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 |
| HVAC Career Training Center | Accepts statewide - Baton Rouge, Shreveport, New Orleans, Lafayette, Houma, Lake Charles, LA 11111 |
| hvacredu.net (Online Training) | P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844 |
| ITT Technical College | 13944 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70817 |
| Louisiana Techncial College-T H Harris | PO Box 713, Opelousas, LA 70570 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Alexandria | 4311 S. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71307 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Baton Rouge | 3250 N Acadian Thruway E, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Delta-Ouachita | 609 Vocational Parkway, West Monroe, LA 71292 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Florida Parishes | PO Box 1300, Greensburg, LA 70441 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Gulf Area | 1115 Clover Street, Abbeville, LA 70510 |
| Louisiana Technical College-LaFayette | 1101 Bertrand Drive, LaFayette, LA 70502 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Lafourche | PO Box 1831, Thibodaux, LA 70302 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Lamar Satter | 15014 Lake Charles Hwy, Leesville, LA 71446 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Morgan Smith | PO Box 1327, Jennings, LA 70546 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Natchitoches | 6587 Hwy 1 Bypass 3110, Natchitoches, LA 71458 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Northwest | PO Box 835, Minden, LA 11111 |
| Louisiana Technical College-River Parishes | 181 Regala Park Road, Reserve, LA 70084 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Shelby Jackson | 2100 E Wallace, Ferriday, LA 71334 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Shreveport/Bossier | 2010 N. Market, Shreveport, LA 71107 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Sidney Collier | 3727 Louisa Street, New Orleans, LA 70126 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Slidell | 1000 Canulette Road, Slidell, LA 70459 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Sullivan | 1710 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, LA 70427 |
| Louisiana Technical College-T.H. Harris | 322 East South Street, Opelousas, LA 70570 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Teche | 609 Ember Drive, New Iberia, LA 70562 |
| Louisiana Technical College-West Jefferson | 475 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058 |
| Louisiana Technical College-Young Memorial | 900 Youngs Road, Morgan City, LA 70381 |
| Nunez Community College | 3700 La Fontaine Street, Chalmette, LA 70043 |
Alternative Training
If you think that the better option for you is apprenticeship, and not schooling – then you may want to find a good apprenticeship with a journeyman or a HVAC technician.
This provides you with good on the field training.
It is definitely an experience where you’ll learn from the bottom up, and gather a few on-the-job insights that you cannot find in the book.
However, you will still need to pass exams in order to become a licensed HVAC technician.
You will need to at least know the basics of heating and air conditioning repair and installation.
You can apply for the apprenticeship at the Louisiana’s own Apprenticeship Division of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
To become an apprentice you must be at least 18 years old.
You must have a high school diploma or some kind of an equivalent.
These programs last from 2 to 5 years.
As an apprentice you will have to log 144 hours in the classroom per a year.
Apprenticeships do have classroom instruction.
An apprentice is expected to gather his or her own tools and books.
They must follow the application process.
Once selected, an apprentice must prove that he or she is a hard-working student.
Sometimes apprentices may gain college credit during their service.
HVAC apprenticeships are one of 50 occupations that allow apprenticeship trainings, and which are registered in Louisiana.
There is a possibility that you end up being a vacant apprentice.
This means that you will be a paid apprentice.
Now, that is a great reason to be the best apprentice you can!
Contractor Licensing Requirements
If you want to work on big projects, the price of which is more than $50,000, then you have to obtain a commercial contractor or a subcontractor license.
For this license you must complete the commercial application, and submit it along with a financial statement that displays a net worth of minimum $10,000 over the previous 12 months.
All you have to do after that is to pass the exams.
Examination
Fees
If you want to become a contractor, then you will pay a fee of at least $120. That is an administrative cost.
You will have to pass both the trade exam, and the business and law exam.
The exams are administered by The Louisiana State Board of Contractors’ Department of Examinations and Assessment.
Once your application has been approved you will receive a notice that will contain information on how to register for the exam online.
An email with the date, time, and location of the exam will follow.
You personally must take the exam.
In case you fail the exam, the fee for a second attempt is $120.
Also, there is a wait period of 30 days before you can actually retake the test.
When you fail, you will receive a notice on how to register for your next attempt.
Business and Law Exam
This exam is taken online. It is a honor system exam, and it is open book. The questions are multiple choice in nature.
They are based on the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management.
Registration for the test ahead of time is not needed.
The test covers the complete Guide, appendices included.
Trade Exam
Trade exam or the air Conditioning Work, Ventilation, Refrigeration, and Duct Work exam is closed book and consists from 100 questions.
You will have four hours at your disposal for completing the exam.
You can expect five sections in the test.
HVAC and Refrigeration Systems makes up 26% of the exam.
The following 26% is on Piping Systems and Hydronics for industrial, commercial, and residential projects.
10% is on Instrumentation, controls, and balancing.
The following section of 18% covers Air Distribution Systems and Ventilation.
Finally, 21% tests Project Management, Estimating and Plan Reading.
To pass the exam you will need to conversant with the following: modern refrigeration and air conditioning, the Trane Air Conditioning Manual and the 2012 International Mechanical Code.
References that you should review include these:
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Trane Air Conditioning Manual
- 2012 International Mechanical Code
- Managing the Construction Process
- MCAA Project Manager’s Manual
- EPA Practice tests
Exam Rules
You cannot bring cameras, hats, sunglasses, scanning devices, food and drinks, books and reference materials, cell phones, and calculators into the exam.
Watches are prohibited as well.
Purses, tote bags, pens, and pencils are not allowed.
If you have any of those items in your possession, they will be taken away during check-in.
Additionally; you may not bring in your own reference materials.
Pens, pencils, calculators, reference materials will all be provided at the test site.
Testing Centers
In total there are ten testing sits in Louisiana.
On the day of the exam you must bring your government issued photo ID, and you must know your social security number.
An additional place where you can take the exam is the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors location in Baton Rouge or at LSU-Alexandria.
Conclusion
A career of a HVAC technician is a steady and a lucrative one.
If that is what you are after, gain some experience in the field, acquire an education, pass your exams, and you will be well on your way to becoming a top-earning HVAC technician.
You can even set your own schedule and be your own boss.
What are you waiting for?
HVAC Schools by City
