Long, cold winters and mild summers keep heating systems under heavy load across Vermont. Average pay tracks $67,070/year — 3.5% above the national average — with 970 HVAC techs employed across Burlington.
Salary Distribution
10th Pct
$50,280
entry-level
25th Pct
$58,800
early career
Median
$62,150
typical wage
75th Pct
$75,140
experienced
90th Pct
$93,110
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: Vermont Department of Public Safety — Division of Fire Safety (Electrical Board)
License type: Type-S Specialty Journeyman Electrician — A1 (Automatic Gas/Oil Heating) or C3 (Refrigeration & AC)
Threshold or scope: Licensed as specialty electrician for HVAC scope; no separate HVAC contractor license at state level
Continuing education: 15 hours per renewal (8 of which can be combined A1/C3 prep)
Key details: 1 yr (2,000 hrs) + training program OR 2 yrs (4,000 hrs) experience; 35-question Prov exam, 70% pass.
For the most current licensing rules, fees, and reciprocity details, always consult the state authority.
Apprenticeship Programs
3
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
72
AC & refrigeration · NAICS 238222
HVAC Mechanics Employed
970
SOC 49-9021
21.9¢/kWh
Residential Electricity
#42 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
6A
Cold-Humid
extreme_heating
Heating dominates Vermont's Cold-Humid climate. Deep winters create high-stakes demand for furnace, boiler, and heat pump reliability — HVAC technicians here build careers around heating systems with short but intense summer cooling demand.
Climate zone classification per IECC 2021 (International Energy Conservation Code).
FAQ
HVAC mechanics and installers in Vermont earn a mean annual wage of $67,070, about 3.5% above the national mean of $64,800 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Entry-level technicians (10th percentile) average $50,280, and experienced techs at the 90th percentile reach $93,110. See our full salary breakdown for percentile data and metro variation.
The largest HVAC job market in Vermont is Burlington with about 480 HVAC mechanics. Each city page lists current openings and average pay for that metro.
Three of the most established HVAC programs in Vermont are Vermont State University CEWD, Burlington Technical Center (VT Adult CTE), and ReSOURCE. 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.
Have a different question? Reach our team at team@findhvacjobs.com.
