Trade Schools
If you’re a detail-oriented person passionate about mechanics, a career as an HVAC technician can be the right choice for you.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage reported by HVAC technicians in Alabama was $48,580 as of May 2021.
Salaries vary between less than $30,000 and more than $75,000 depending on experience, education, employer, and a variety of other factors.
Before being ready to apply for a job in the HVAC industry, you have to complete a post-secondary program that can take between a few months and two years.
If you live in Alabama, this page includes information about the top HVAC training programs available in your state.
1BTrained Elite HVAC Training
About the School
Located in Birmingham, Alabama, BTrained Elite HVAC Training has more than 40 years of experience in the industry.
Tuition costs vary depending on the program.
The two-day HVAC Exam Prep costs $595.
The B Elite Express program, an express course that can be completed in two weeks by students who attend five days per week, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., costs $2,450.
Those interested can sign up for classes through the school’s website.
Courses Offered
The following HVAC programs are available:
HVAC Elite Training Courses- this program prepares students for the HVAC Certification exam.
The Elite Training Course is available in a two-week day course and a 16-week night schedule.
An intensive two-day HVAC Certification Exam Prep is also available and includes successful test techniques, practical book review, sample questions, and a sample exam that prepares students for the certification exam.
BTrained Elite HVAC Training also offers a one-week training program for those who want to begin their journey in the HVAC industry.
The classes are taught by instructors with several decades of experience in the industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 240 Oxmoor Cir Suite #111, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Phone: (205) 728-7254
- Website: https://btrained.net
2Champion Technician Institute
About the School
Champion Technician Institute offers an online fast-track course that prepares students for employment in the HVAC industry.
The Institute is located in Mobile, Alabama.
Those who complete the program are EPA certified HVAC Technicians.
Online courses are also available.
Costs vary depending on the course.
The Electrical Theory and Application- National Certification Course costs $275, while the Online Hot Surface Ignition Simulator costs $75.
The program includes a significant part of hands-on training using the school’s over 20 individually specialized repair stations.
The class sizes are limited to give each student one-on-one time with the instruction.
Students can become certified in as few as 60 days through a combination of hands-on training and technical instruction.
Courses Offered
In addition to a fast-track HVAC technician course, the school also offers certification and additional courses in the following topics:
- 608 EPA Freon Certification Exam- a prep course
- N.A.T.E. Certifications: Heat Pump Service, Heat Pump Installation, Air Conditioning Installation, Air Distribution Service, N.A.T.E. Continuing Education Credits, Heat Pump Service, Heat Pump Installation, Air Conditioning Installation, and Air Distribution Service.
Contact Information
- Address: 9973 Lifeline Ct. Mobile, AL 36608
- Phone: 888-580-4822
- Website: https://www.championtechnician.com
3Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute offers HVAC training programs at five campuses in Alabama: Birmingham, Dothan, Foley, Mobile, and Montgomery.
The programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as HVAC technicians.
The curriculum covers training in mechanics as well as computerized diagnostic systems.
The course includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on training.
Trainees also use computer-based diagnostic systems.
Students are ready to repair and service today’s complex HVAC systems.
Fortis Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program costs $20,053 in total, which includes tuition, admin and tech fees, uniform, student kit, certification, textbooks, and a laptop.
Applicants need a high school diploma or its equivalent, and they are required to complete a personal information sheet.
A personal interview with the admissions staff will also take place.
During the interview, the school staff will help applicants find the right program.
Applicants also tour the facility to meet with Financial Aid staff and enroll in the next available class.
Fortis is eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 3736 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109
- Phone: 334-272-3857
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
4Drake State Community & Technical College
About the School
Drake State Community & Technical College offers a variety of academic programs that prepare students for rewarding careers in a variety of fields.
Drake University was founded in 1961 and has served students of the Huntsville and Madison County communities ever since.
Its diverse catalog includes a Heating and Air Conditioning Technology program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Students learn new concepts and how to apply them through problem-solving techniques that teach them how to diagnose malfunctions and repair residential, commercial or industrial systems.
The degree requires a total of 66 semester hours.
Drake State Community & Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate Degrees and Certificates.
Total in-state tuition costs sum up to $161 per semester hour which includes tuition, facility, technology, building, reserve, and ACCS enhancement fees.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Non-high-school graduates who don’t have a GED certificate may only enroll in non-degree creditable courses or programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 3421 Meridian Street North, Huntsville, AL 35811
- Phone: (256) 539-8161
- Website: https://www.drakestate.edu
5Wallace Community College
About the Program
Wallace Community College offers a variety of career education programs.
Their Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program teaches students how to apply techniques and skills needed to install, maintain, or replace HVAC/R equipment.
The courses focus on residential and light commercial HVAC/R systems.
Costs vary depending on the program.
Tuition for the six-semester AAS program is $9,842 while additional fees sum up to approximately $2,057.
Tuition for the Certificate program is $7,847 with approximately $1,652 charged for additional fees
George C. Wallace Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
Students have the following degree and certificate options:
- An Associate in Applied Science Degree- 70-73 credits in total
- A Certificate- 58 credits
- A Short Certificate- 27 credits in total
- Short Certificate (Ventress)
Students take classes such as:
- Principles of Refrigeration
- HVAC/R Service Procedures
- Principles of Electricity for HVAC/R
- Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Theory
- Heat Pump Systems
- Troubleshooting HVAC/R Systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Dothan Campus: 1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, AL 36303
- Phone: 334.983.3521
- Sparks Campus: 3235 South Eufaula Avenue, Eufaula, AL 36027
- Phone: 334.687.3543
- Website: https://www.wallace.edu
6Limestone County Career Technical Center
About the School
Located in Athens, Alabama, Limestone County Career Technical Center is an extension of the local high school.
The center offers programs that help students in grades 10 to 12 transition from school to a career.
Students attend the center for a two-and-a-half-hour session held at the Center’s campus in the morning or afternoon.
Elective courses are available in a variety of fields, including Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration.
Students also have the opportunity to earn the following certifications: NCCER Core (all modules), HVAC Level 1, HVAC Level 1+, and EPA Certification.
First-year students take NCCER HVAC 1 and HVAC 2 and get to use skills such as soldering, using gauges, and reading wiring diagrams.
Second years students learn about NCCER HVAC 3 and Introduction to HVACR and how to troubleshoot electrical diagrams to repair heating equipment.
The third year is dedicated to the HVACR Maintenace and Senior Career Pathway Project and students practice skills used in the maintenance and operation of supermarket refrigeration equipment.
Articulated credit may also be earned through the Alabama State Community College System after meeting quality assurance criteria for the following courses:
- HVACR Service Procedures
- Principles of Electricity for HVACR
Contact Information
- Address: 505 East Sanderfer Road, Athens, AL 35611
- Phone: 256-233-6463
- Website: https://www.careertechnical.org
7Eden Career Technical Center
About the School
Eden Career Technical Center offers a variety of career training programs, including one in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
The Center is located in Ashville, Alabama.
Courses Offered
The HVAC program follows the NCCER core curriculum.
Students get to work with simulators and hands-on using a variety of equipment.
Trainees have access to a refrigerator simulator, as well as a heat pump and electric heat, and a straight A/C simulator.
The program equips students with knowledge and understanding of the electrical and mechanical sides of these systems.
Students learn from an instructor with more than 29 years of experience in the industry.
An application can be downloaded from the school’s website.
An E.C.T.C. Summer Camp 22 is also available for students in grades sixth to eighth.
The camp is free for all students in the St. Clair County School System.
Students participate in classroom activities to understand the heating and cooling processes.
Contact Information
- Address: 45 County Road 33, Ashville, AL 35953
- Phone: (205) 594-7055
- Website: https://www.sccboe.org
8Northwest Shoals Community College
About the School
Northwest-Shoals Community College offers a variety of career-technical programs designed to prepare students for employment.
The College has two campuses in Alabama: Shoals and Phil Campbell.
The college’s catalog includes an Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology program available at the Shoals Campus.
Students enrolled in this program learn how to design, fabricate, and install heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
The program also teaches students how to use advanced tools and diagnostic equipment to develop troubleshooting skills.
Trainees are supervised by an NCCER and CFC certified instructor.
Students have the opportunity to become certified after completing an AOT degree program.
Tuition for Alabama residents is $123 per credit hour.
Additional fees include ACCS Enhancement, Technology, Facility Renewal, Building, and Reserve Fees.
The total cost is $160 per credit hour.
Northwest-Shoals Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate of Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, and Associate in Occupational Technology degrees as well as certificates.
Contact Information
- 800 George Wallace Blvd. Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
- Phone: 256.331.5200
- 2080 College Road Phil Campbell, AL 35581
- Phone: 256.331.6200
- Website: https://www.nwscc.edu
9Bevill State Community College
About the School
Bevill State Community College offers a variety of educational opportunities at its four campuses: Fayette, Hamilton, Jasper, Sumiton, and Pickens.
The College’s catalog includes an A/C and Refrigeration program that can lead to an Associate in Applied Science Degree or a long-term Certificate.
Graduates can seek employment as Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning service technicians, HVAC installers, HVAC dealers, HVAC parts dealers, commercial refrigeration technicians, and other related positions.
Bevill State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Tuition is $123 per credit hour for in-state students.
Additional fees include bond reserve, facilities renewal, tech, library, building, and ACCS enhancements fees which bring the total to $162.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Principles of Refrigeration
- HVAC/R Service Procedures
- Refrigeration Piping Practices
- Fundamentals of Gas Heating Systems
- Principles of Electricity for HVAC/R
- Commercial Heating Systems
- Heat Load Calculation
- And more
To achieve an Associate in Applied Science Degree students will need 67-68 credits in total.
Contact Information
- Address: Fayette Campus: 2631 Temple Avenue N, Fayette, Alabama 35555
- Phone: 800-648-3271
- Website: https://www.bscc.edu
10Chattahoochee Valley Community College
About the School
Chattahoochee Valley Community College offers a variety of training and degree programs.
Their Applied Technology division includes a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program that covers the fundamental principles of air conditioning and refrigeration.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees.
The HVAC program includes 73 credit hours in total.
The cost per credit hour is $164 which brings the total tuition to $11,972.
Addition fees include $500 for materials and supplies, lift truck/10-hour OSHA Certification, Universal EPA, and Graduation Application Fee.
The total cost for the HVAC program is $12,599.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers instruction in the theory and principles of refrigeration and heat transfer, system components, tools used in HVAC/R, and application of the concepts of basic compression refrigeration.
Students enrolled in this program also have the option of earning additional certifications in NCCER Core, MSSC CPT, Lift Truck Certification, 10-hour OSHA, and Universal EPA Certification.
Contact Information
- Address: 2602 College Drive, Phenix City, AL 36869
- Phone: (334) 291-4900
- Website: https://www.cv.edu
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 100 | $45,840 | $22.04 | $62,740 | $28,700 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 180 | $48,820 | $23.47 | $66,460 | $29,700 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 1,760 | $51,410 | $24.71 | $71,550 | $31,300 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 410 | $46,530 | $22.37 | $63,190 | $29,250 |
| Decatur, AL | 300 | $52,400 | $25.19 | $88,890 | $30,000 |
| Dothan, AL | 160 | $44,610 | $21.45 | $62,400 | $28,020 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 240 | $47,230 | $22.71 | $60,060 | $31,800 |
| Gadsden, AL | 60 | $45,170 | $21.72 | $61,350 | $27,090 |
| Huntsville, AL | 720 | $52,760 | $25.37 | $79,180 | $33,660 |
| Mobile, AL | 890 | $49,320 | $23.71 | $68,690 | $36,490 |
| Montgomery, AL | 530 | $49,500 | $23.8 | $65,080 | $30,950 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 310 | $50,760 | $24.4 | $65,710 | $30,790 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning the schools included in our list can get you ready for the licensing exam and employment in only a few months.
Now that you have read our list, it’s your turn to continue the research and apply for a program that best fits your schedule, budget, learning style, and career aspirations.
