In Montana, HVAC technicians can start working in the industry without a license.
However, the state has provided regulations for those who want to become HVAC contractors.
On this page, you’ll learn what these regulations are and other important details to be part of the HVAC industry in Montana.
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HVAC Programs in Montana
While there’s no state-level HVAC license, you do need to have sufficient educational training and field experience to work in this industry.
That’s because of two reasons:
- Servicing and managing HVAC systems requires high technical skills
- Employers prefer to employ HVAC technicians and apprentices who completed an approved HVAC program
So check out the list of schools below to find the one that best fits your budget and schedule.
5 HVAC Schools in Montana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashworth College | 6625 The Corners Pkwy NW #500, Norcross, GA 30092 |
| Flathead Valley Community Clge/Kalispell Campus | 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901 |
| hvacredu.net (Online Training) | P.O. Box 77, Heron, MT 59844 |
| Montana State University-Billings | 3803 Central Avenue, Billings, MT 59102 |
| Univ. of Montana-College of Technology | 3639 S. Avenue West, Missoula, MT 59801 |
HVAC Contractor Requirements
The state doesn’t require nor issue a license for HVAC contractors, but it does have a few regulations.
If you are to start a business, you must register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
For sole proprietors, you need to get the Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate.
For corporations, you need to get the Construction Contractor Registration.
EPA Certification
Under the EPA Section 608, all technicians working with refrigerants must be certified.
There are 4 types of certification that you can get, and you can choose the type that you’ll be working with most.
You can learn more about this in detail in our guide to the EPA certification.
Local-level Licensing
Aside from the EPA certification, the locality where you’ll be working may have further requirements before you can provide HVAC services.
So you should check with them if there are any special requirements you need to meet.
Potential Salary
The HVAC profession is one of the most stable careers you can find due to it requiring high technical skills.
As such, your potential earnings can range between $29,000 to $75,000 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021).
On average, you can get $52,250 annually.
Here are the salaries that you can expect to get in 10 of Montana’s cities.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of HVAC Techs in Montana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Billings | $44,751 |
| Missoula | $38,621 |
| Great Falls | $40,523 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | $38,621 |
| Bozeman | $38,621 |
| Helena | $39,322 |
| Kalispell | $41,471 |
| Havre | $39,812 |
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | $38,621 |
| Miles City | $44,050 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 200 | $53,670 | $25.8 | $76,490 | $35,730 |
| Great Falls, MT | 100 | $52,780 | $25.38 | $73,480 | $31,680 |
| Missoula, MT | 130 | $54,890 | $26.39 | $80,070 | $38,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
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