Hot, humid summers and mild-to-cool winters with strong shoulder seasons keep cooling systems under steady year-round load across Georgia. Average pay sits at $57,080/year, but 12,290 HVAC techs employed across Atlanta, Dalton, and Macon make it one of the highest-volume hiring markets in the country.
Salary Distribution
10th Pct
$36,990
entry-level
25th Pct
$46,250
early career
Median
$56,390
typical wage
75th Pct
$66,180
experienced
90th Pct
$79,130
senior tech
Wage data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Metro Markets
Metro-level salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Cities ranked by HVAC employment count.
Licensing
Authority: Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State)
License type: Conditioned Air Contractor Class I (restricted ≤175,000 BTUH heating, ≤60,000 BTUH cooling) or Class II (unrestricted)
Threshold or scope: None — required statewide
Continuing education: 4 hours annually (8 hours per 2-year renewal); deadline Nov 30 of odd-numbered years
Key details: Class I: 4 yrs exp. Class II: 5 yrs exp. Both require trade + business exams. Per Rule 121-4-.03. PE exempt from CE.
For the most current licensing rules, fees, and reciprocity details, always consult the state authority.
Apprenticeship Programs
4
Verified Programs
Apprenticeship sponsor data verified through union local primary sources, state Building Trades directories, and apprenticeship.gov.
Training
Program details vary by school. Verify cost, duration, and certification requirements directly with each institution.
Industry Density
Contracting Businesses
1,156
AC & refrigeration · NAICS 238222
HVAC Mechanics Employed
12,290
SOC 49-9021
14.08¢/kWh
Residential Electricity
#17 of 51
State Energy Rank
Establishment data from BLS QCEW NAICS 238222. Employment from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Electricity rates from EIA Electric Power Annual 2024.
Climate Profile
3A
Warm-Humid
cooling_dominant
Georgia has a Warm-Humid climate where cooling demand defines the HVAC market. Summer is peak season for AC repair and condenser work, with moderate but real winter heating demand on heat pumps and furnaces across most of the state.
Climate zone classification per IECC 2021 (International Energy Conservation Code).
FAQ
HVAC mechanics and installers in Georgia earn a mean annual wage of $57,080, about 11.9% below the national mean of $64,800 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Entry-level technicians (10th percentile) average $36,990, and experienced techs at the 90th percentile reach $79,130. See our full salary breakdown for percentile data and metro variation.
The three largest HVAC job markets in Georgia are Atlanta with about 7,060 HVAC mechanics, Augusta with about 620 HVAC mechanics, and Savannah with about 450 HVAC mechanics. Each city page lists current openings and average pay for that metro.
Three of the most established HVAC programs in Georgia are Gwinnett Technical College, Oconee Fall Line Technical College, and Lincoln Tech - East Point. Programs typically run 6–24 months and prepare graduates for EPA Section 608 certification and entry-level positions. See our trade schools directory for full program details.
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