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Those who work with cooling or heating systems in Arkansas are HVAC technicians, and they’re highly trained and skilled, and you can be one as well.
Article Table of Contents
Overview
It’s predicted that the job market for HVAC technicians in Arkansas will grow 16% in the next decade, thus now being a good time to get into the trade.
These technicians perform the following tasks:
- diagnose and troubleshoot problems;
- repair, replace defective components and equipment or wiring
- carry out preventative inspections and maintenance on HVAC equipment
The average salary for these tradesmen in Arkansas is $43,021 per year, while the national median salary is of $46,648 per year.
The highest salaries for this occupation reach $48,749 in Arkansas and $52,858 per year, around the country.
The table below shows the average salaries for HVAC Techs in 10 major cities in Arkansas.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $43,355 |
| Fort Smith | $40,565 |
| North Little Rock | $43,355 |
| Fayetteville | $42,044 |
| Jonesboro | $42,902 |
| Pine Bluff | $41,750 |
| Springdale | $42,044 |
| Conway | $42,935 |
| Rogers | $41,792 |
| Hot Springs Village | $42,935 |
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 890 | $50,370 | $24.22 | $63,440 | $34,090 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 350 | $47,660 | $22.91 | $65,210 | $33,030 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 110 | $48,600 | $23.36 | $61,040 | $35,360 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 130 | $50,840 | $24.44 | $77,000 | $37,320 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 1,250 | $49,640 | $23.87 | $69,030 | $34,430 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 70 | $51,060 | $24.55 | $72,680 | $33,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Training as an HVAC Technician in Arkansas
Training as an HVAC Tech also means getting a license to work in this industry.
One of the easiest ways to get a license is by attending a technical college.
There, you’ll learn how to perform all the duties of an HVAC technician mentioned earlier, electrical theory, and psychometrics.
It’s possible for the subjects to change depending on the school.
Common topics:
- duct leakage testing,
- residential heat loads,
- pressure enthalpy,
- combustion analysis
- fuel efficiency,
- hydrocarbon refrigerants,
- best refrigeration and charging procedure,
- residential energy auditor,
- EPA: Sections 608 and 609.
All the classes and schools must be accredited by PAHRA, which is an independent organization that makes sure the classes either meet or exceed the standards.
The acronym stands for Partnership for Air conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation.
Top Schools
There are several schools in Arkansas to choose from if you want to become an HVAC Technician.
Most are actually community colleges, and offer certification in air conditioning technology, though students also learn how to service central air conditioning systems or various refrigeration equipment.
For instance, at Arkansas State University in Searcy you’ll also learn:
- gas heating systems,
- electric circuits and controls,
- air distribution,
- air conditioning
- refrigeration components,
- introduction to general electronics
This course costs $5200 upfront and consists of 34 credits.
The Arkansas Tech University in Ozark is a good alternative, for here you have a course of 36 credit hours for a diploma in air conditioning and refrigeration and a 60-credit hour for associates in applied science in general technology with the option to study air conditioning and refrigeration.
The students must take the HVAC Excellence Exam to prove their competency, before graduation, and also the EPA Certification Test.
Here, the cost is between $113 and $215 per credit hour.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Construction Education Foundation | 4421 W 61st St, Little Rock, AR 72209 |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | 2501 S Division Blytheville, Arkansas 72316 |
| Arkansas State University - Searcy | 1800 East Moore Avenue Searcy, Arkansas 72143 |
| Arkansas State University-Beebe | 1000 Iowa Street Beebe, Arkansas 72012 |
| Arkansas State University-Newport | 7648 Victory Blvd Newport, Arkansas 72112 |
| Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus | 1700 Helberg Lane Ozark, Arkansas 72949 |
| Crowleys Ridge Technical Institute | 1620 Newcastle Road Forrest City, Arkansas 72335 |
| National Park College | 101 College Dr Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913 |
| North Arkansas College | 1515 Pioneer Dr Harrison, Arkansas 72601 |
| Northwest Technical Institute | 709 S Old Missouri Rd Springdale, Arkansas 72764 |
| Pulaski Technical College | 3000 W Scenic Dr North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118 |
| Remington College - Little Rock Campus | 10600 Colonel Glenn Rd #100, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA |
| Southeast Arkansas College | 1900 Hazel St. Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville | 2005 White Drive Batesville, Arkansas 72503 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Hope | 2500 S Main Hope, Arkansas 71801 |
Certifications
Curiously enough, HVAC technicians don’t need a license in Arkansas, but having one can improve their careers.
There are 6 levels of certifications, and they need to be renewed every year.
The certifications are: Class A, B, C, D, and E, and the EPA Section 608 certification for those who want to work with refrigerants.
The Licensing Board issues all these certifications, and they accept the following candidates:
- Of over 18 years old
- Who passed an exam
- With 2 years of work experience
Final Considerations
Arkansas has a lot of potential jobs in the HVAC field, even if the economy is weak.
We recommend that you start your training in this industry and then get licensed to look more credible in front of possible employers.
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State