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HVAC technicians in Michigan: what they earn
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Michigan earned a median $60,850 a year in May 2025, $29.26 an hour. 12,590 people held the job, 2.9 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is about the same as the national figure of $61,010, and Michigan ranks 25 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become an HVAC technician in Michigan — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes. ↓
The full wage spread in Michigan
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19.33 | $40,210 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $23.09 | $48,040 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $29.26 | $60,850 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $37.40 | $77,780 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $45.81 | $95,290 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $31.01 | $64,490 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
Michigan against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Vermont | $62,150 | 970 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $61,710 | 6,630 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $61,390 | 1,610 |
| 25 | Michigan | $60,850 | 12,590 |
| 26 | Montana | $60,850 | 1,230 |
| 27 | Iowa | $60,680 | 3,840 |
| 28 | Nevada | $60,510 | 4,170 |
The complete ranking is on the HVAC technicians page.
Against the national figure
| Michigan | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $60,850 | $61,010 |
| Median hourly | $29.26 | $29.33 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $40,210 | $40,050 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $95,290 | $95,210 |
| Employed | 12,590 | 409,670 |
Other trades in Michigan
Electricians ($76,270) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($80,190) · Welders ($49,990) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($57,180)
See all five ranked by pay in Michigan.
How to become an HVAC technician in Michigan
Michigan licenses HVAC work through LARA as a Mechanical Contractor under HVAC classifications; technicians who handle refrigerant also need the federal EPA Section 608 certification. The licensing authority is Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA Section 608 Certification (federal) | Required nationwide to handle refrigerants: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure) or Universal (all). Pass an EPA-approved test; the credential does not expire. | — | EPA-approved Section 608 test (Type I / II / III / Universal) | — |
| Michigan Mechanical Contractor License (state) | Select an HVAC work classification and document at least 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in it (a completed 2-year HVAC program can credit up to 1 year), then pass the classification exam (PSI). Nonrefundable $300 initial license fee. | 6,000 hrs (≈ 3 yrs) | Michigan mechanical work-classification exam (PSI) | $300 |
Licensing sources: EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (retrieved 2026-09-16) · Michigan LARA Mechanical Contractor application (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as an HVAC technician in Michigan?
Michigan licenses HVAC work through LARA as a Mechanical Contractor under HVAC classifications; technicians who handle refrigerant also need the federal EPA Section 608 certification.
What does it cost to get licensed as an HVAC technician in Michigan?
The main application or license fee is $300; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become an HVAC technician in Michigan?
You can be licensed as Michigan Mechanical Contractor License after about 3 years of on-the-job training (6,000 hours).
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.