How to Become a HVAC Technician in Montana
Keep the world comfortable.
Median Salary (MT)
$58,600
Apprenticeship
3–5 years
License Required
Yes
Job Demand
Very High
What HVAC Technicians Earn in Montana
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Montana Median
$58,600
per year
National Median
$57,300
per year
Entry Level (25th)
$41,020
Median
$57,300
Experienced (75th)
$75,040
Top Earners (90th)
$93,210
National percentiles shown. Montana-specific percentile data varies.
Career Path
From apprentice to running your own operation in Montana
HVAC/R Apprentice or Trainee
$32,000–$45,000Years 0–3
Learn the trade through a union apprenticeship, trade school, or on-the-job training with a licensed contractor. EPA 608 refrigerant certification is required to handle refrigerants.
HVAC Technician
$50,000–$72,000Years 3–8
Work independently on residential and commercial installs and service calls. Commercial refrigeration and building automation system (BAS) skills push wages higher.
Senior Tech / Lead Installer
$68,000–$90,000Years 6–12
Lead install crews, handle complex commercial systems, or specialize in building controls. Many techs at this level also move into sales engineering.
HVAC Contractor
$85,000–$200,000+Years 8+
Get your contractor's license and start your own HVAC company. Residential replacement work has extremely high margins and repeat customers.
How to Get Started in Montana
Step-by-step path into the hvac technician trade
- 1
Start with an HVAC program at a community college or trade school — programs run 6 months to 2 years and are widely available.
Find HVAC programs → - 2
Or apply directly to a SMART union local (smartunion.org) for a paid apprenticeship — many locals cover HVAC installation and service.
Browse union apprenticeships → - 3
Get your EPA 608 certification — required by federal law before you can handle refrigerants. It's a one-day exam.
Prep for EPA 608 → - 4
Find an HVAC contractor willing to bring on an entry-level tech. Most are actively hiring — the shortage is significant.
Find hiring HVAC contractors → - 5
Once working, pursue NATE certification (nate.org) to stand out and access higher-paying commercial service work.