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HVAC · Illinois

HVAC programs in Illinois

In Illinois, a first-year HVAC tech is either paid — or paying.

Tuition on the school path is real money. First-year pay on the apprenticeship path is a paycheck. Seats are not guaranteed on either side.

HVAC in the United States

Updated Apr 2026

Chicago mechanical / HVAC JATC (UA) — $19–$25/hr

First-year share of Chicago mechanical scale · Apr 2026

Year one in Illinois

One paid path and one school path. The full list is below.

Paid training · listed first

ABC Illinois HVAC apprenticeship

ABC Illinois chapters · Multiple Illinois markets

Tuition: $0–$3,500
First-year wage: $16–$21/hr

You pay · no paycheck in class

Illinois community college HVAC / R

ICCB colleges · Statewide

Tuition: $5,000–$14,000
First-year wage: $0 during school

All programs on this page

ABC Illinois HVAC apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$0–$3,500

Employer-sponsored. Classroom fees vary.

First-year wage

$16–$21/hr

Paid helper / first-year technician scale.

Term

4 years

Steps with EPA 608 and experience

ABC Illinois chapters·Multiple Illinois markets

Source: ABC Illinois chapter pages (2026-03)

Chicago mechanical / HVAC JATC (UA)

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

Paid OJT. Related instruction included.

First-year wage

$19–$25/hr

First-year share of a high Chicago mechanical scale.

Term

5 years

Illinois HVAC wages well above the U.S. median in Chicago

UA Chicago-area locals·Chicago

Source: UA Chicago-area public apprenticeship notes (2026-04)

Illinois community college HVAC / R

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$5,000–$14,000

In-district certificate / AAS range.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid classroom. Illinois HVAC entry often $18–$24/hr after.

Term

1–2 years

Illinois HVAC median above the U.S. median

ICCB colleges·Statewide

Source: College Scorecard / ICCB catalogs (2026-02)

Other hvac states

Get hvac numbers for another state

We only write when new year-one numbers go up.