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Those who enjoy working with their hands or fix things and need a job could consider becoming HVAC technicians.
In Michigan, you’ll need a license in order to work in this trade, so let’s learn more about this occupation.
Article Table of Contents
Salary
In Michigan, the job market for technicians in this field is expected to grow 14% by 2024, and the salaries are currently at nearly the same level as those across the nation.
The average salary in the United States for an HVAC tech is $46,648 per year, with the ones at the top earning around $52,858 annually.
The average salary in Michigan for an HVAC tech is $46,685 per year, with the ones at the top earning around $52,900 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $47,795 |
| Grand Rapids | $45,514 |
| Warren | $47,795 |
| Sterling Heights | $47,646 |
| Ann Arbor | $48,472 |
| Lansing | $45,673 |
| Flint | $43,273 |
| Dearborn | $47,795 |
| Livonia | $47,646 |
| Troy | $47,621 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 340 | $64,270 | $30.9 | $93,460 | $38,760 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 140 | $58,060 | $27.92 | $76,380 | $36,930 |
| Bay City, MI | 60 | $56,940 | $27.38 | $77,390 | $31,760 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 4,010 | $58,160 | $27.96 | $81,700 | $37,600 |
| Flint, MI | 390 | $57,340 | $27.57 | $79,780 | $36,760 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 2,020 | $58,090 | $27.93 | $82,440 | $36,560 |
| Jackson, MI | 150 | $60,300 | $28.99 | $90,040 | $37,570 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 410 | $59,000 | $28.36 | $83,400 | $37,160 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 550 | $57,920 | $27.85 | $80,270 | $37,440 |
| Midland, MI | 110 | $53,150 | $25.56 | $78,890 | $37,200 |
| Monroe, MI | 90 | $59,500 | $28.61 | $80,640 | $38,380 |
| Muskegon, MI | 190 | $59,020 | $28.37 | $78,330 | $37,220 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 170 | $53,350 | $25.65 | $72,800 | $37,860 |
| Saginaw, MI | 200 | $62,210 | $29.91 | $88,060 | $38,150 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Licensing Requirements
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regularity Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, and the Mechanical Division oversees the licensing process for HVAC technicians.
The license is issued for HVAC contractors and not everyone can obtain it.
There are also several licenses available, for the different specializations you can work in.
Eligibility:
- 3 years of work experience for every specialization you want a license
- Pass an exam for every specialization as well.
Work classifications:
- Hydronic heating and cooling and process piping
- HVAC equipment
- Ductwork
- Refrigeration
- Limited heating service
- Unlimited heating service
- Limited refrigeration and air conditioning service
- Unlimited refrigeration and air conditioning service
- Fire Suppression
Specialty Licenses:
- Solar Heating and Cooling
- Solid Fuel and Vented Decorative Gas Appliances
- LP Distribution Piping
- Fuel Gas Piping
- Fuel Gas Piping and Venting
Fees
To take an exam, you first have to submit an application and pay the $100 application fee.
If your application gets approved, you’ll have to pay another fee for the exam, which is $25.
The license is valid for 3 years, and everyone must renew their license the same year.
There’a license renewal fee as well, which depends on when you received yours.
The renewal fee is $300 for everyone, at the 3 years interval.
You only pay $200 if you got your license in the 2nd year and only $100 if you got it in the 3rd year.
These last 2 fees are valid only when you renew the license for the first time.
Electrical and Fire Alarm Contractors only pay $10 for membership and another $10 for renewing their license.
Examination Process
Once your application to take the exam is approved, you can take the test.
The exam is held 4 times a year in Lansing, MI.
Remember that you have to apply for each exam date separately, and the deadline to apply is 1 month before it takes place.
The Mechanical Contractor License Examination 127 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Bureau of Construction Codes / Mechanical Division P.O. Box 30255, Lansing, MI, has more information regarding the application process.
This is a written exam and you must score at least 70% to pass.
The test covers:
- Mechanical Contractor’s Law and Rules,
- The Construction Code Law and Rules,
- Basic Safety Rules
Schools
Attending a school will increase your chances of passing the exam and finding a job.
You can check out the training schools below for more information regarding the training and licensing process.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Delta College | 1961 Delta Road University Center, Michigan 48710 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 143 Bostwick Ave NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 |
| Henry Ford Community College | 5101 Evergreen Rd Dearborn, Michigan 48128 |
| Jackson Community College | 2111 Emmons Rd Jackson, Michigan 49201 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | 6767 West O Ave Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003 |
| Kellogg Community College | 450 North Ave Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 |
| Kirtland Community College | 10775 N Saint Helen Road Roscommon, Michigan 48653 |
| Lansing Community College | 419 N Capitol Ave Lansing, Michigan 48901 |
| Macomb Community College | 14500 E Twelve Mile Rd Warren, Michigan 48088 |
| Mid Michigan Community College | 1375 S Clare Ave Harrison, Michigan 48625 |
| Mott Community College | 1401 E Court St Flint, Michigan 48503 |
| Northwestern Michigan College | 1701 E Front St Traverse City, Michigan 49686 |
| Northwestern Technological Institute | 24567 Northwestern Hwy Ste 200 Southfield, Michigan 48075 |
| Oakland Community College | 2480 Opdyke Rd Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304 |
| Washtenaw Community College | 4800 E Huron River Dr Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 |
| Wayne County Community College District | 801 W. Fort Street Detroit, Michigan 48226 |
Final Thoughts
Becoming an HVAC technician is relatively easy in Michigan and those that can work in several specializations are in higher demand.
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State