Trade Schools
If you’re passionate about mechanics and you want to turn your passion into a rewarding career, the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning can be a good option.
In Kansas, HVAC mechanics and installers were remunerated with $51,270 annually, on average- with salaries ranging between less than $31,000 and more than $76,000- depending on skills, education, experience, region, and a variety of other factors.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, you should complete some specialized training at a trade school or community college.
Classes are also available for high school students who want to earn dual credit, so they can explore this field before graduation.
On this page, we have compiled information about the top HVAC schools in Kansas.
1Wichita Technical Institute
About the School
Wichita Technical Institute offers healthcare and technical programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of industries.
Its catalog includes a Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration program that prepares students for work in commercial and residential settings.
The school offers a blended learning environment.
Each course combines on-campus and online experiences.
Graduates are ready to work as installers, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians, applied repair technicians, refrigeration technicians, maintenance technicians, and other similar positions.
This program is available at Wichita Main, Joplin, and Tulsa campuses.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers courses on:
- Electrical Fundamentals
- EPA Training and Research Project
- Heating Systems Installation and Troubleshooting
- Introduction to Air Conditioning
- AC Installation, Troubleshooting, and Research Project
- Commercial Refrigeration Systems and Research Project
- And more
In total, the program includes 60 credit hours and can be completed in 48 weeks.
Contact Information
- Address: 2051 S Meridian Ave, Wichita, KS 67213, USA
- Phone: 888-885-6661
- Website: https://www.wti.edu
2Kansas City Kansas Community College
About the School
Kansas Community College offers training programs that can lead to an Associate Degree or Certificate.
Its main campus is located in Kansas City.
Also in Kansas City is Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technological Education Center- a 130,000 square feet complex that provides over 20 career programs.
The Pioneer Career Center, which is located in Leavenworth is open to adults and high school students who want to earn credit in academic classes or technology programs such as HVAC, CNA, Construction Technology, and more.
Tuition is $113 per credit hour for Kansas students.
Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.
Kansas Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Kansas Community College catalog includes a Heating and Refrigeration Certificate program.
This program is approved for EPA and R-401 A refrigerant certification.
The curriculum includes classes in:
- Safety Orientation
- Refrigeration System Components
- Electrical Theory
- Basic Sheet Metal
- HVAC Fundamentals
- Heating-Electric
- Cooling
- And more
In total, this program requires 44 hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 7250 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas 66112
- Phone: 913-334-1100
- Website: https://www.kckcc.edu
3Peaslee Tech
About the School
A technical school located in Lawrence, Kansas, Peaslee Tech is the larger provider of apprenticeships in Kansas.
Those interested are welcome to schedule a school tour by phone or via email.
Peaslee Tech doesn’t award credit hours, so students cannot transfer credits to or from other institutions.
Students who complete any open enrollment program receive a certificate.
Peaslee Tech is approved by the Kansas Center for Career & Technical Education Advisory Board.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes the following HVAC-related programs:
- Commercial Cooling
- Residential HVAC
The Residential Mechanical HVAC program is one year long and designed to prepare skilled residential mechanical technicians.
The program also serves as a prerequisite for an apprenticeship.
These programs are available on-campus.
A 144-hour $2,500 internship is also available.
Peaslee Tech also provides training for registered apprenticeships that are approved by the Kansas Apprenticeship Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 2920 Haskell Avenue, Suite 100, Lawrence, KS 66046
- Phone: 785-856-1801
- Website: https://peasleetech.org
4Johnson County Community College
About the School
Johnson County Community College offers a variety of programs at its campus located in Overland Park.
Students can earn associate degrees, certificates, or earn credits towards four-year universities.
Continuing education programs are also available.
Courses Offered
The Johnson County Community College catalog includes a Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning program.
Students get to work on actual HVAC equipment while pursuing an associate degree or certification.
The program holds a Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation.
At the end of the program, students are ready for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Refrigerant Management exam and receive an EPA Refrigerant Management license.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 30-hour General Industry Health and Safety training certification are also available.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Electrical and heating fundamentals
- Electrical systems
- HVAC installation and start-up procedures
- Plumbing fundamentals
- Refrigerant management
- Cooling systems
- Customer service skills
- And more
Two pathways are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in HVAC Technology- a two-year program
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology Certificate- a one-year program
Contact Information
- Address: 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
- Phone: 913-469-8500
- Website: https://www.jccc.edu
5Washburn Institute of Technology
Washburn Tech provides career and technical education.
The institute allows students to start with technical courses and advance with a degree.
Courses Offered
Its catalog includes a variety of construction programs, including a Climate and Energy Control pathway.
This program prepares students for careers as HVAC technicians.
The courses cover the skills to repair, service, and maintain heating and cooling systems in large commercial and residential settings.
Students attend classes at the Midwest Training Center.
The Institute has partnerships with Trane USA, Snap-On Tools, and the National Coalition of Certification Centers.
The program can be completed in two semesters by full-time students and in four semesters by part-time students.
Graduates receive a 43-credit hour certificate and are eligible to continue with an associate degree or bachelor’s degree at Washburn University.
The following Certifications are also part of the program:
- 410A Safety
- Building Automation Level 1
- EPA 608
- HVACR ICE
- Meter Certification
- OSHA-10
- Tool Safety
The estimated out-of-pocket cost for high school students is approximately $550.
Full-day adult students pay approximately $6,140 for the first semester and $4,190 for the second semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 5724 SW Huntoon Topeka, Kansas 66604
- Phone: 785.670.2200
- Website: https://www.washburntech.edu
6Salina Tech
About the School
Salina Tech offers training programs that prepare students for rewarding careers in a variety of fields.
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning pathway provides students with hands-on experience using furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, reach-in and walk-in coolers, ice makers, and other equipment.
Students take a variety of classes, including HVAC fundamentals and safety, compressor controls, and troubleshooting.
The certificate program is nine months long and covers installation and repair as well as compliance and troubleshooting.
A two-year Associate Degree is also available.
The total cost is approximately $10,500 for the Certificate program and $13,600 for the Associate Degree.
Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.
Students get the chance to obtain an EPA Universal Certification.
Graduates are ready for employment in a variety of positions, including Service Technician, Service Manager, HVAC Installer, Sales Professional, and Commercial and Residential HVAC Technician.
Some also start their own business, especially after earning a few years of experience.
Salina Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 120 W. Ash, Salina, KS 67401
- Phone: 785.827.9301
- Website: https://www.salinatech.edu
7NCK Tech
About the School
NCK Tech offers a Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning program that prepares students for entry-level employment in the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning industry.
Students learn about all aspects of PHAC systems and water pumps.
Internship opportunities are available to provide students with on-the-job training at local employers.
The program can be completed in one year and leads to a Plumbing, Heat, and Air Conditioning certificate.
Graduates can sit for the Journeyman license and industry competency exam.
NCK Tech is accredited by the Kansas Board of Regents and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Courses Offered
The list of required courses includes:
- OSHA Training
- Plumbing Fundamentals
- EPA 608
- Electrical Fundamentals
- HVAC Fundamentals
- Workplace Skills
- Advanced Electrical Fundamentals
- Advanced HVAC Fundamentals
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3033 US HWY 24, Beloit, Kansas 67420
- Phone: 800-658-4655
- Website: https://ncktc.edu/
8Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas
About the School
Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas offers training in welding, pipefitting, plumbing, and HVACR.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship program, applicants must be at least 18 years or turn 18 by June 1st.
High school students who are getting ready to graduate can apply if they have a letterhead by the principal or counselor that indicates they are on the path toward graduation.
The only cost apprentices pay during their training period are their enrollment fees which sum up to $600 per year.
Apprenticeships last for five years and include on-the-job training and 280 hours of classroom instruction per year.
Courses Offered
The apprenticeship in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration covers residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial applications.
Other job-specific applications include gas piping installations, high voltage electrical components, testing, analyzing, and starting up HVACR systems.
Contact Information
- Address: 1330 E. 1st Street, Suite 110, Wichita, Kansas 67214
- Phone: 316-267-8508
- Website: http://ppatks.org
9Manhattan Area Technical College
About the School
Manhattan Area Technical College offers training programs for students who want to start careers in healthcare, automotive, business, construction, and other high-demand fields.
Two-year associate degree programs and certificates are available.
Courses Offered
An Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program is available to prepare mechanics and apprentices for entry-level employment.
The curriculum covers topics that teach students how to install, service, and repair refrigeration and air conditioning systems in residential and commercial settings.
Students will earn EPA 608 and OSHA 10 certifications.
The following degree options are available:
- Associate of Applied Science Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration- this requires 62 credits
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate- a 40-credit program
Manhattan Area Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Options are also available for students who don’t have high school equivalency.
The majority of the programs don’t require entrance exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 3136 Dickens Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66503
- Phone: 800.352.7575
- Website: https://manhattantech.edu
10Hutchinson Community College
About the School
Hutchinson Community College provides degree and certificate programs in 75 areas of study.
With a history of more than 91 years, the college has provided quality affordable education for thousands of students.
Hutchinson Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The college’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration- Cert B program.
The program covers the installation, calibration, and maintenance of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in residential and commercial buildings, as well as industrial applications.
Tuition is $118 per credit hour for in-state students.
Courses Offered
The HVAC/R program covers courses on:
- AC/DC Circuits
- Programmable Logic Controls
- Electrical Maitenance
- HVAC Fundamentals
- EPA 608
- HVAC Load Calculations
- HVAC Code Requirements
- Low-Pressure Boilers
- Technical Math
- And more
In total, this program includes 43 credit hours.
High school students have the opportunity of taking classes from HutchCC while attending a Kansas high school.
This option is available for students in grades 10, 11, or 12.
Contact Information
- Address: 1300 N Plum, Hutchinson Kansas, 67501
- Phone: 620-314-4275
- Website: https://www.hutchcc.edu
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 150 | $53,820 | $25.88 | $72,820 | $39,040 |
| Manhattan, KS | 160 | $55,690 | $26.77 | $74,650 | $37,220 |
| Topeka, KS | 270 | $56,560 | $27.19 | $77,700 | $35,320 |
| Wichita, KS | 890 | $53,410 | $25.68 | $77,250 | $36,700 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an adult or a high school student who wants to prepare for a career in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Kansas offers plenty of training options.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
