Washington median pay
$75,660 a year
National median
$61,010
HVAC techs in Washington
About 8,570
Certificate to aim for
L&I 06A (4,000 hours)
HVAC technicians install and repair the heating, cooling and refrigeration systems in Washington homes, offices, hospitals and data centers. Washington pays them well above the national average, but the state also treats much of the work as electrical work, so the training program you choose matters more here than in most states. This guide covers which programs count toward your license, what the certificate requires, and what the work pays around the state.
The 06A certificate: what Washington requires
Anyone who handles refrigerants needs federal EPA Section 608 certification. In Washington, HVAC/R techs who work on the electrical side of equipment, such as line-voltage wiring, controls and thermostats, also need an electrical certificate from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
The certificate HVAC techs train for is the 06A HVAC/refrigeration specialty electrician certificate. It takes 4,000 hours of supervised work experience as an electrical trainee before you can sit for the exam. Until then, you work under a trainee certificate and log your hours.
You may see a restricted 06B certificate mentioned online. It does exist in state rules, but it’s limited to small equipment, and the only L&I-approved 6B training is a utility’s in-house gas worker program. No college program trains for it, so it isn’t a real starting path for students. Aim for the 06A.
From the dean’s desk
The biggest mistake I see is picking a program that doesn’t give you hours toward your 06A license. Ask that question before you enroll.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Automotive & Trades
Programs that count toward your 06A hours
Under Washington law, graduates of L&I-approved electrical training programs can count school time toward their required work experience, up to half of the hours. As of L&I’s latest list, these HVAC/R programs are approved for 06A credit:
- Bates Technical College (Tacoma): HVAC/R Technician
- Bellingham Technical College: HVAC/R Technology
- Clover Park Technical College (Lakewood): Heating & Air Conditioning Service Technician
- Northwest HVAC/R Training Center (Spokane): Master Technician Training
- Perry Technical Institute (Yakima): HVAC/R Technology
- Spokane Community College: HVAC/R degree
- Walla Walla Community College: Energy Systems Technology (Facilities Energy Management)
- Wenatchee Valley College: Environmental Systems & Refrigeration Technology
Programs come and go from this list, so confirm with the school and check L&I’s current approved training schools list before you enroll. Also ask how many hours the program credits, how long it takes, and where recent graduates are working.
You can also skip school and earn all 4,000 hours on the job, or join a registered HVAC/R apprenticeship. School is the faster way in for many people because employers like hiring trainees who already know the basics and have hours started.
What HVAC techs earn in Washington
Washington HVAC techs earned a median of $75,660 in May 2025, about $14,600 more than the national median of $61,010. Pay is highest around Seattle and Tacoma.
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Mount Vernon–Anacortes | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Kennewick–Richland | $75,660 | $36.38 |
| Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard | $74,650 | $35.89 |
| Bellingham | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| Yakima | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Spokane–Spokane Valley | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Washington overall | $75,660 | $36.38 |
| United States | $61,010 | $29.33 |
Washington HVAC jobs are projected to grow 11% from 2024 to 2034, with about 930 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects the same 11% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average for all jobs.
Steps to become an HVAC tech in Washington
1
Pick a program that counts toward your 06A
Use the list above. Ask about hours credited, length and job placement before you sign up.
2
Get an electrical trainee certificate
You need an L&I trainee certificate to work on the electrical side of HVAC equipment and to log hours.
3
Earn EPA Section 608 certification
Most programs prepare you for it. Employers expect it before you handle refrigerants.
4
Work and log 4,000 hours
Work under a certified electrician or 06A holder and report your hours to L&I on time.
5
Pass the 06A exam
Once your hours and any school credit are approved, apply for the exam and get certified.
Frequently asked questions
Do HVAC techs need a license in Washington?
Anyone who handles refrigerants needs EPA 608 certification. HVAC/R techs who do electrical work on equipment also need an L&I electrical certificate. The standard one is the 06A, which takes 4,000 hours of supervised experience.
What about the 06B certificate?
It’s a restricted certificate limited to smaller equipment. The only approved 6B training is in-house at a utility, so students should plan for the 06A.
Does trade school count toward the 06A?
Yes, if the program is on L&I’s approved list. Approved programs can count for up to half of the required hours.
How much do HVAC techs make in Washington?
The median was $75,660 a year in May 2025, and about $80,100 in the Seattle–Tacoma area.
Sources
- Washington L&I: Approved electrical training schools (rev. Aug 2024)
- WAC 296-46B-920: Electrical specialty scopes of work
- EPA: Section 608 technician certification
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: HVAC Mechanics and Installers
- O*NET OnLine: HVAC wages and outlook in Washington (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Related: HVAC Technician in Oregon · HVAC Technician in California · How to Pay for Trade School · All Washington guides
Leave a Reply