If you are making a decision on what career to pursue, and you love to work with your hands, problem-solving, and providing customer service, then a profession of a HVAC technician id the one for you.
This article will supply you with all the information you may need about becoming a HVAC technician.
In Michigan you need to have a contractor license if you want to conduct work as a contractor. That license is a Mechanical Contractor’s license.
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Salary
HVAC industry is only expected to grow, and the demand for HVAC technicians will grow with it.
The projections are that it will grow by 14% until 2024. As a HVAC technician you will need to work on the site, and manually to install, maintain, and repair complicated new systems.
As a HVAC technician your salary will depend on many factors such as skills, knowledge, licenses, certifications, etc.
The average wage you can expect is $20 an hour. You can make up to $60,000 annually.
You need to keep up with the regulations, equipment as the industry is constantly evolving.
That will secure that you become a top-earning HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians are in the top 48% of trade workers when it comes to annual salaries.
Here is what salaries you can expect in the ten largest cities in Michigan:
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Michigan
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $47,878 |
| Grand Rapids | $45,593 |
| Warren | $47,878 |
| Flint | $43,219 |
| Sterling Heights | $47,728 |
| Lansing | $45,752 |
| Ann Arbor | $49,048 |
| Livonia | $47,728 |
| Dearborn | $47,878 |
| Westland | $48,276 |
Licensing Requirements
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regularity Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, and the Mechanical Division are the ones responsible for determining eligibility, administering exams, and awarding the licenses.
In order do repairs or installation of heating, cooling, ventilating, or refrigeration systems in Michigan, you need to acquire a mechanical contractor’s license.
The licensing process is special in Michigan. You can use this process to your benefit to move upwards in your company, and while searching for a job as well.
A technician that holds a license has permission to perform installation, alternations, maintenance, servicing, and get the necessary permits from the state for projects.
Eligibility
To obtain a license you need to meet certain requirements.
Eligibility criteria is as follows:
You need to have at least 3 years of working experience, as well as pass an exam that is specifically devised for the classification you would like to be licensed in.
Here are the classifications:
- Hydronic heating and cooling and process piping
- HVAC equipment
- Ductwork
- Refrigeration
- Limited heating service
- Unlimited heating service
- Limited refrigeration and air conditioning service
- Unlimited refrigeration and air conditioning service
- Fire Suppression
Specialty licenses:
- Solar Heating and Cooling
- Solid Fuel and Vented Decorative Gas Appliances
- LP Distribution Piping
- Fuel Gas Piping
- Fuel Gas Piping and Venting
Fees
Licenses are awarded in three year cycles.
The cycle is the same for all contractors.
However, the fee depends on which year you receive your license.
The application fee is $100, while the fee you need to pay an additional $25 to sit for the exam.
The fee for a three-year cycle is $300.
If you register in the second year you have to pay $200, and if you register in the third year the fee is $100.
In case you are an Electrical and Fire Alarm Contractor your renewal fee is $10, and a membership fee you have to pay is $10 as well.
Examination
The examination process is straightforward. You need to fill out the application and pay a fee of $100 to the state of Michigan.
Once your application has been approves you can schedule and take the test.
If you want any additional information about the examination process, here is contact information:
Application for Mechanical Contractor License Examination 127Michigan Department of Labor & Economic GrowthBureau of Construction Codes / Mechanical DivisionP.O. Box 30255, Lansing, MI 48909517-241-9325
Scheduling Your Exam
You can take the licensing exam only four times a year.
You will need to set a date at least a month in advance.
The exam can be taken only on site in Lansing.
Exam
Before the exam you will need to pay a fee of $25.
The test is written and incorporates heories and practices specific to HVAC, mechanical codes, local laws, and specific work classifications.
There are 15-question sections. The topics of those sections are Mechanical Contractor’s Law and Rules, The Construction Code Law and Rules, and Basic Safety Rules.
To pass the exam you have to score a minimum of 70% for any classification that you would like to acquire a license in.
Schools
If you are looking for a training center that will help you prepare not only for the test itself but for the on-the-job challenges, then it is best that you opt to complete an official HVAC training.
That education will also make sure that you have an edge over other technicians when applying for a job.
Here is a table of Schools in Michigan you can attend that offer approved HVAC programs:
27 HVAC Schools in Michigan
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashworth College | 6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092 |
| Careerline Technical Center | 13663 Port Sheldon Road, Holland, MI 49424 |
| Delta College | 1961 Delta Road, University Center, MI 48710 |
| Dorsey Schools – Quality HVAC Systems Technician Training | 35005 W Michigan Ave, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties, MI 48184 |
| Everest Institute | Train to be an HVAC Technician | 21107 Lahser Rd, Southfield, MI 48033 |
| Ferris State University-College of Technology | 1009 Campus Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 151 Fountain Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Henry Ford Community College | 5101 Evergreen Road, Deerborn, MI 48128 |
| hvacredu.net (Online Training) | P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844 |
| Jackson Community College | 2111 Emmons Road, Jackson, MI 49201 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | 767 West "O" Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
| Kellogg Community College | 450 Hill-Brady Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015 |
| Lansing Community College | 422 North Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48901 |
| M-Tec at Kirtland-Gaylord | 60 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord, MI 49735 |
| Macomb Community College | 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088 |
| Michigan HVAC Vocational Training Center | 1521 East Eight Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220 |
| Mid Michigan Community College | 1375 South Clare Avenue, Harrison, MI 48625 |
| Mott Community College | 1401 E. Court Street, Flint, MI 11111 |
| Northern Michigan University | 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 |
| Northwestern Technological Institute | 24567 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48075 |
| Oakland Community College | 2900 Featherstone Road, Auburn Heights, MI 48326 |
| Oakland Southeast Technical Campus | 5055 Delemere Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073 |
| Oakland Tech Center-NW Campus | 8211 Big Lake Road, Clarkston, MI 48346 |
| Washtenaw Community College | 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 |
| Wayne County Community College-Eastern Campus | 5901 Conner, Detroit, MI 48213 |
| Wayne County Community College-Western Campus | 9555 Hagerty Road, Belleville, MI 48111 |
| Wm. D. Ford Career-Technical Center | 36455 Marquette Avenue, Westland, MI 48185 |
Job Market
If you become a part of the HVAC industry you do not have to worry about your job.
It will remain steady, and your salary can only rise.
The HVAC industry is projected to grow by 14% to the year 2024.
HVAC technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing complicated new systems.
The HVAC industry will only continue to grow and evolve.
The equipment is constantly changing, and upgrading.
That is why you need to stay on top of all the changes and upgrades.
Top-paid technicians know how to replace old equipment, but also how to handle updated systems.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about beginning a career in the HVAC industry there has not been a better time.
You can get specialized in many fields.
You may be frightened by what it takes to obtain a license, but it is something that will help you secure higher-paying jobs.
The more certifications and experience you get the better. So, begin with the process, acquire those three years of experience and sit for the exam.
HVAC Schools by City
