Trade Schools
This page compiles information about the top HVAC schools in Utah and the programs they offered.
The programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on lab projects to get students ready for employment and licensure exams right after graduation.
Depending on the type of program, the school, and your availability, the training period can last anywhere between a few months and a few years.
If you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career in the field and you want to find out more about the classes included in the curriculum, tuition costs, admission requirements, and other relevant information, we invite you to read further.
1Ogden-Weber Technical College
About the School
Ogden-Weber Technical College offers hands-on training programs that help students start new careers.
Tuition is $2 per classroom hour.
A full-time student who attends 24 hours per week pays, on average $232 per month.
High school students attend the school tuition-free and pay only for the supplies.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes HVAC Technologies Apprentice-related instruction.
Apprenticeships typically require students to have an employer sponsor, but students may begin this program without a sponsor.
Once students are employed in the industry, the employer can become an apprentice sponsor.
Apprentices are required to complete on-the-job training for up to 8,000 hours to obtain a certificate of completion from the Office of Apprenticeship.
The curriculum covers topics on Introduction to HVAC, Safety, Tools, and Skills, EPA 608 Gas Refrigerant Handling Certification, Utah Gas Certification, and Repairs and Technology.
Available are Residential and Commercial pathways.
The Residential pathway teaches the basics of residential HVAC systems.
The Commercial path covers hydronic systems, steam systems, water treatment, and commercial HVAC building management, among other topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 N Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404
- Phone: 801-627-8300
- Website: https://www.otech.edu
2Mountainland Technical College
About the School
Mountainland Technical College provides more than 50 programs and courses.
The college is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog includes an HVAC apprenticeship that takes two years to complete.
The program costs $2,482.
Apprentices learn techniques used when installing new equipment as well as the skills and knowledge to repair and troubleshoot existing equipment.
The apprenticeship includes two parts:
- on-the-job training
- classroom instruction
The on-the-job training part is offered by an outside employer.
The classroom instruction held at one of MTECH campuses is designed to teach the apprentice the theoretical and practical aspects of the trade.
Before enrolling in the program applicants must take the MTECH entrance assessment which is free and can be completed in one hour.
Students must work at least part-time for an HVAC company, but unemployed first-year students may still register for courses if there is space available.
The following certificates are available:
- MTECH HVAC Apprenticeship Program Certificate
- EPA Certification
- RMGA Certification
Contact Information
- Address: 2353 North Triumph Blvd, Lehi, UT 84043 (Lehi Trades & Technology Building)
- Phone: 801-753-6282
- Website: https://mtec.edu
3Utah Career Center
Utah Career Center offers hands-on training and real-world job experience in plumbing, pipefitting, welding, and HVAC&R.
Courses Offered
The HVAC&R apprenticeship program is designed to be completed in five years by students who attend on-the-job training and night classes at the school.
The courses take place in state-of-the-art labs.
Students attend classes three nights per week and complete 1,800 hours of on-the-job training per year.
During this time, apprentices receive a salary for the on-the-job training part.
The wage starts at 55 percent of a Journeyman’s rate plus benefits.
The topics covered by the instruction include:
- Air systems
- Principles of airflow, air properties, and distribution
- Fume and exhaust system design
- Plans and specification reading
- Welding
- Brazing
- Tools of the trade
- And more
Graduates are ready for many career paths, such as automotive HVAC techs, commercial HVAC&R techs, HVAC&R engineers, mechanics, residential HVAC&R techs, solar techs, and wind turbine techs.
Classes are registered through Salt Lake Community College.
Tuition is $458 per semester plus fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 640 North Billy Mitchell Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
- Phone: (801) 295-6198
- Website: https://ucctrades.com
4Bridgerland Technical College
About the School
Bridgerland Technical College offers learning programs in a variety of areas of study.
Programs are available for secondary and post-secondary students.
The college has two campuses: Logan and Brigham.
Bridgerland Technical College is accredited by the Commission of the Council of Occupational Education.
Scholarships and financial aid are available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The college provides programs in a wide range of careers, including:
- Electronic Engineering Technology
- Controls Engineering Technology
- Building Technology
- Automotive Service
- Apprentice Electrician
- Apprentice Plumber
- And more
The college is open year-round and most programs have an open entry-open exit format.
This means that students can start the program on the first day of every month if there is space available.
Contact Information
- Address: 1301 North 600 West, Logan, UT 84321
- Phone: 866-701-1100
- Website: https://btech.edu
5Fortis College
About the School
Fortis College offers skilled trade programs that teach knowledge and hands-on skills thru a combination of traditional classroom instruction and practical learning experiences.
The programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions.
Established in 2009, Fortis College in Salt Lake City is a branch campus of Fortis College in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, which is accredited by the ACCSC.
Courses Offered
Fortis catalog includes an HVAC training program that teaches students how to use computerized diagnostics to service and repair commercial refrigeration, gas and electric heat, heat pumps, and air conditioning systems.
Graduates are ready for employment as HVAC technicians or HVAC installers and ready to sit for EPA and RMGA certifications.
The total cost is $19,734 for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program.
This includes tuition, enrollment fee, uniforms, student kit, certification/licensure exam, and textbooks/ebooks.
Contact Information
- Address: 3949 South 700 East, Suite 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
- Phone: (801) 713-0915
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
6Granite Technical Institute
About the School
Granite Technical Institute offers a construction trade pathway that allows students to participate in the construction of an entire house.
Students learn hands-on about all the phases of home construction.
They may specialize in residential carpentry, commercial carpentry, electrical, or plumbing.
Apprenticeship programs are available.
Courses Offered
The following classes are offered:
- Electrical Trades CE- concurrent enrollment college course year- for 10-12 grades
- Home Building (Residential Carpentry) CE – a two-period block with concurrent enrollment for grades 11-12 grades
- Plumbing CE- a two-period block for 10-12 grades
- Construction Trades Foundation Semester- a two-period block for students in 9-12 grades
- Construction Technology Semester- a two-period block for the 9-12 grades
Students are also exposed to basic safety, OSHA-10 training, use of hand and power tools, reading, interpreting, and applying construction drawings, and many other construction-related skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT 84115
- Phone: 385-646-4350
- Website: https://schools.graniteschools.org/gti
7Salt Lake Community College
About the School
Salt Lake Community College offers specialized job-ready programs in a variety of career fields.
Tuition is $312.25 per credit hour for resident students.
Apprenticeships cost $175.75 per credit hour.
Salt Lake Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The college provides an Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration program that leads to a Certificate of Completion.
This program includes 955 clock hours.
The curriculum covers subjects such as:
- Occupational Safety
- Customer Safety Soft Skills
- Electrical Training Specific to HVAC
- Service of Multiple Types of Equipment
- Commercial Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
- Elective Course
- And more
The following certifications are also available:
- Rocky Mountain Gas Association: Combustion Gas Certification
- ESCO Institute- HVAC Excellence
- Carbon Monoxide Safety Association thru ESCO Institute: Carbon Monoxide & Combustion Safety Certification
- EPA 608 Refrigerant Certification
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Safety Coalition thru ESCO Institute: R410A Refrigerant Safety Certification
Contact Information
- Address: 4600 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84123
- Phone: 801-957-SLCC (7522)
- Website: http://www.slcc.edu
8UA Local 140
About the School
UA Local 140 has been training apprentices and journeymen in Utah for more than 125 years.
Trainees have access to cutting-edge technology, a state-of-the-art training facility, contractors, pay, and benefits.
Courses Offered
The union provides apprenticeships that combine on-the-job training with learning at a training facility.
Apprentices receive a salary while in school.
After five years, they graduate as Journeymen.
Those interested can pick up an application at Utah Career Center for Plumbing, Pipefitting, and HVAC&R.
An evaluation test is also part of the admissions process to indicate the applicant’s general knowledge of the trade.
When an applicant is referred to a contractor, they are graded on a point system of 1 to 5.
A variety of factors are taken into account when grading students, including dependability, pride in work, punctuality, knowledge of the trade, leadership abilities, initiative, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 2261 South Redwood Rd Suite 5 Salt Lake City, UT 84119
- Phone: (801) 973-6784
- Website: https://www.ua140.com
9Contractors School Licensing Specialists
About the School
If you want to start an HVAC/R business or you are already a contractor who wants to keep up with continuing education courses, Contractors School Licensing Specialists offer training and guidance during this process.
Contractors School Licensing Specialists helps contractors earn and maintain their license.
25/30 hour pre-licensing courses are available, as well as business and law prep home study.
Prospective contractors also receive exam scheduling and advice and help in completing the extensive licensing application.
Assistance is also available for those who want to upgrade their contractor license.
Continuing Education classes are also available for contractors who want to maintain their licenses.
Classes are provided in person, as webinars, or as pre-recorded videos.
In-person classes are offered in St George and Salt Lake City.
S350 HVAC contractors are required to take three hours (of their six hours of Continuing Education required each licensing period) directly related to the installation, repair, or replacement of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
An S350 continuing education course is available as a combination of pre-recorded lectures and self-paced videos.
It includes three hours of HVAC-related courses and one hour of energy conservation.
Contact Information
- Address: 3191 S Valley Street, Suite #206, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109
- Phone: (801) 467-1900
- Website: https://www.beacontractor.com
10Utah Home Builders Association
Utah Home Builders Association is also helping contractors earn and maintain their licenses.
The association offers classes online, in person, or via a webinar.
Utah Home Builders Association is a nonprofit organization of builders and associates.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Subcontractor License- a 25-hour pre-license course
- 30-hour General Contractor License- 25 hours pre-licensing course and five hours of test prep
In-class DOPL application assistance is available for free.
Continuing education is also available for the S330, S410, and S350 license renewal.
A one-hour online Energy Code Class is also available for $20.
Continuing education classes in Spanish are also offered.
An HVAC-Air Purification class that includes Energy Code is $80.
HVAC-Refrigeration, VRV with Energy Code training is also available for $80.
Contact Information
- Address: HBA Plaza, 38 West 13775 South, Draper, UT 84020
- Phone: (801) 352-8266
- Website: https://hbautah.com
Regional Salary in Utah
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 200 | $47,650 | $22.91 | $62,520 | $34,310 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 1,370 | $56,100 | $26.97 | $80,150 | $37,210 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 960 | $54,460 | $26.19 | $75,750 | $37,560 |
| St. George, UT | 300 | $52,590 | $25.28 | $78,000 | $36,310 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 2,530 | $59,080 | $28.41 | $85,000 | $37,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about mechanics and you like working with your hands, the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning is worth exploring.
To help you make an informed decision about the career path you want to pursue and the school that will help you get there, on this page we have selected information about the top programs in Utah.
The next step is to continue the research and apply to the school that best meets your needs and career aspirations.
