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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout The Magnolia State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Mississippi, including HVAC technicians, commercial refrigeration contractors, and licensed HVAC contractors, means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 11% growth rate in Iowa for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as compared with 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started as an HVAC professional in the state of Mississippi.
Mississippi HVAC Training Programs
According to the BLS, “Many HVAC/R technicians receive postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
Formal education is not required by law in Mississippi for entry-level HVAC workers, but it can help you land a job in the field. Also, in general, there’s a direct correlation between a degree and higher long-term earnings, so though it’s not required to go to HVAC school to get started in the field it could pay off in the long run.
In Mississippi, HVAC technicians and contractors who work on projects valued at less than $10,000 do not need a state-issued license, but licensing may be required by some local jurisdictions for HVAC work that falls below this threshold.
The state of Mississippi requires a commercial license for public commercial HVAC jobs above $50,000 or private jobs that cost more than $10,000. All contractors performing new residential construction over $50,000 or residential remodeling or additions over $10,000 need a residential license, including subcontractors performing HVAC work. Licensing is issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).
Mississippi offers many HVAC training programs all over the state. Here’s a sampling of Mississippi trade schools that offer HVAC programs:
Delta Technical College in Horn Lakes
Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia
Hinds Community College in Raymond
Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson
Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville
East Central Community College in Decatur
Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead
Pearl River Community College in Poplarville
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston
Itawamba Community College in Fulton
Holmes Community College in Goodman
Jones County Junior College in Ellisville
Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit
Career Development Center in Jackson
Mississippi Apprenticeships
Another way to get HVAC training is through a formal apprenticeship. Apprenticeship opportunities in Mississippi include:
United Association (UA) Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders & Service Techs offers apprenticeships and technical certificates for HVACR service technicians. The UA operates Local 568 in Gulfport, Local 436 in Pascagoula, and Local 619 in Vicksburg. UA apprenticeships provide on-the-job training, classroom instruction, and typically last about five years.
The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program maintains a list of registered apprenticeships that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor. For HVAC workers, apprenticeships can be found in construction-related fields.
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HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. Licensure requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state, and some, like the state of Mississippi, don’t require advanced education.
Yet, because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
There’s typically a range of career certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in Mississippi such as:
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC certification courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
Refrigeration equipment
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Mississippi community colleges on average is $2,428 per year for in-state students and $4,459 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies depending on the school and degree or certificate earned. Full training through an apprenticeship takes about four to five years. Several of Mississippi’s technical and community colleges offer one- and two-year programs to earn HVAC certificates or an associate’s degree in HVAC studies, as well as prepare you to take the EPA Section 608 certification exam.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Mississippi training centers listed below offer HVAC programs to prepare students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Delta Technical College (accredited by HVAC Excellence)
Northwest Mississippi Community College (accredited by PAHRA)
Hinds Community College in Raymond
Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson
Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville
East Central Community College in Decatur
Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead
Pearl River Community College in Poplarville
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston
Itawamba Community College in Fulton
Holmes Community College in Goodman
Jones County Junior College in Ellisville
Offers HVAC/R career certificate
Offers HVAC/R technical certificate
Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit
Career Development Center in Jackson
Steps for Enrollment in Mississippi
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in Mississippi
The state of Mississippi does not license HVAC contractors who work on projects valuing less than $10,000. That falls to the local jurisdictions. The state does require a commercial license for HVAC work valued at $10,000 or more. If you want to own your own HVAC business you will want to get your license.
Many local jurisdictions — cities, towns, and counties— in Mississippi require you to get a local license. Be sure to find out what the local laws are before you bid on a project and begin work. For instance, the city of Gulfport requires a Mechanical/HVAC Contractor license to work there, and the city of Ocean Springs requires contractors to seek a permit before performing any work costing more than $100.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Mississippi, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. EPA certification is often part of HVAC degree programs. If you choose a shorter certificate program, you may need to get EPA certification on your own. Your employer should be able to guide you to resources, or you can find them in our Mississippi HVAC License guide.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Mississippi
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Mississippi? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Mississippi for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $47,400
Intermediate 2-4 years: $54,600
Senior 4-6 years: $62,100
Supervisor > 7 years: $81,100
For more information about HVAC salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
While Mississippi doesn’t require apprenticeships, obtaining one allows HVAC professionals to gain the experience needed for licensure and shows their commitment to the field. Apprenticeships are typically offered directly by employers. UA Local 568 in Gulfport, UA Local 436 in Pascagoula, and UA Local 619 in Vicksburg offer union apprenticeships in Mississippi.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Alabama and Louisiana:
Calhoun State Community College in Decatur, Alabama
Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, Alabama
Baton Rouge Community College-Acadian Campus, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
You can find the training you need to excel in the HVAC industry in Mississippi. The opportunities are all around you.
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