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Mississippi is a great spot to start an HVAC career, so let’s take a look at the job requirements for this state.
Article Table of Contents
Average HVAC Salary
In Mississippi, the median wage for an HVAC tech is $40,583 per year.
An experienced technician can earn as much as $45,987 a year.
The average salary in the United States is $46,648 a year, but it goes up to $52,858 per year.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $41,718 |
| Gulfport | $41,017 |
| Southaven | $43,163 |
| Hattiesburg | $40,761 |
| Biloxi | $41,344 |
| Meridian | $41,337 |
| Tupelo | $39,352 |
| Greenville | $41,470 |
| Olive Branch | $43,054 |
| Horn Lake | $43,141 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 400 | $50,070 | $24.07 | $77,120 | $30,910 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 100 | $45,420 | $21.84 | $62,400 | $31,550 |
| Jackson, MS | 750 | $51,600 | $24.81 | $76,490 | $33,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What Does an HVAC Job Entail?
An HVAC worker manages everything related to heating, cooling and refrigeration systems.
This includes repairs, installations, and maintenance of the said systems.
HVAC Contractor Certification
To work as a contractor, you will need a Mechanical Work Certificate.
This license will enable you to work on any kind of air conditioning system.
You will also need a state contractor’s license if you plan on taking private projects worth more than $100,000 or public projects larger than $50,000.
You can choose between a commercial license, which has a fee of $200, or residential, for a fee of $50.
To apply, you need to:
- Proof of a net worth of $20,000 over the past year
- General liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance
- Pass the trade, law and business exams
- Provide proof of experience in HVAC
The Mississippi State Board of Contractors holds meetings in January, April, July, and October, on the second Wednesday of the month.
Your application needs to be sent a month prior to the board meeting.
You don’t need to take extra classes for your HVAC license in Mississippi, however, that is probably the place to start this new career.
The following schools will offer more details and might even increase your chances of passing the exams and finding a job.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | 1001 Co-Lin Lane Wesson, Mississippi 39191 |
| Delta Technical College | 6550 D Interstate Blvd. Horn Lake, Mississippi 38637 |
| East Central Community College | 275 West Broad Street Decatur, Mississippi 39327 |
| Hinds Community College | 505 East Main Street Raymond, Mississippi 39154 |
| Holmes Community College | #1 Hill St Goodman, Mississippi 39079 |
| Itawamba Community College | 602 W Hill Street Fulton, Mississippi 38843 |
| Jones County Junior College | 900 South Court Street Ellisville, Mississippi 39437 |
| Mississippi Delta Community College | Hwy 3 and Cherry St Moorhead, Mississippi 38761 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | 51 Main Street Perkinston, Mississippi 39573 |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | 101 Cunningham Blvd Booneville, Mississippi 38829 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | 4975 Hwy 51 N Senatobia, Mississippi 38668 |
| Pearl River Community College | 101 Hwy 11 N Poplarville, Mississippi 39470 |
| Southwest Mississippi Community College | 1156 College Dr Summit, Mississippi 39666 |
As Mississippi has agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina, you don’t need to get licensed in any of these states, as long as you have your license for at least 3 years.
License Exam
The exams are managed by the PSI Examination Services.
The HVAC test lasts for 4 hours, has 80 questions and requires a 70% passing score.
The topics cover:
- Piping
- Insulation
- Hangers and Supports
- Sound, Vibration and Seismic Control
- Heating and Cooling Principles
- Refrigerants and Refrigeration
- Load Calculations
- Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing
- Controls
- A/C and Heat Pump Equipment
- Furnaces and Heaters
- Chimneys, Flues, and Vents
- Combustion Air
- Fuel Gas Systems
- LP-Gas Systems
- Ducts
- Boilers and Hydronics
- Machine Room
- Evaporative Cooling
- Safety
There are 50 questions in the Law and Business Management exam, it lasts for 2 hours and requires a 70% passing score.
The topics cover:
- Licensing
- Estimating and bidding
- Lien law
- Financial management
- Tax laws
- Labor laws
- Project management
- Contracts
- Business organization
- Risk management
- Environmental and safety
The exams are open book and you can study the following manuals:
- 2006 International Mechanical Code
- 2006 International Fuel Gas Code
- OSHA Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and ACCA Ductulator
EPA Certification
Techs who plan on working with refrigerants are required by federal law to get an EPA certification.
This license can be obtained after passing an exam.
Conclusion
If you get the training needed to improve your skills, you can build a successful HVAC career in Mississippi
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State