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HVAC · Texas

HVAC programs in Texas

In Texas, 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

TSTC HVAC / R published tuition — $7,000–$14,000

In-state technical-college range, before tools · Feb 2026

Year one in Texas

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

Paid training · listed first

ABC Texas HVAC apprenticeship

ABC Texas chapters · Houston / DFW / Austin / San Antonio

Tuition: $0–$3,500
First-year wage: $15–$19/hr

You pay · no paycheck in class

TSTC / public technical college HVAC

TSTC and Texas community colleges · Multiple campuses

Tuition: $7,000–$14,000
First-year wage: $0 during school

All programs on this page

ABC Texas HVAC apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$0–$3,500

Employer-sponsored. Classroom fees vary by chapter.

First-year wage

$15–$19/hr

Paid from day one.

Term

4 years

Steps with EPA 608 and experience

ABC Texas chapters·Houston / DFW / Austin / San Antonio

Source: ABC Texas chapter pages (2026-04)

Houston / DFW mechanical JATC (UA)

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

Paid OJT. Related instruction included.

First-year wage

$16–$20/hr

First-year percentage of local mechanical scale.

Term

5 years

Texas HVAC tech median roughly mid-$50ks

UA local JATCs·Houston / Dallas–Fort Worth

Source: UA Texas local public program notes (2026-03)

TSTC / public technical college HVAC

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$7,000–$14,000

In-state technical-college range.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid classroom. Texas HVAC entry often $17–$22/hr after.

Term

12–18 months

Texas HVAC median mid-$50ks

TSTC and Texas community colleges·Multiple campuses

Source: TSTC / THECB catalogs (2026-02)

Other hvac states

Get hvac numbers for another state

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