Keep buildings comfortable by installing and servicing heating and cooling systems.
HVAC/R technicians install, maintain, and repair the heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems that keep buildings livable. Summer means service calls and installs; year-round means troubleshooting, wiring controls, and charging systems.
It blends mechanical, electrical, and problem-solving skills, and because every building needs climate control, the work is steady and increasingly tech-driven.
HVAC/R is entered through registered apprenticeships and technical college programs, typically two to five years depending on the path, with EPA certification required to handle refrigerants. Many techs earn while they train before moving into specialized or supervisory roles. Georgia offers several ways in, including apprenticeships and HVAC/R programs through the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
Georgia range, from entry-level (roughly the lowest 10%) to top earners (the top 10%). Pay climbs with experience, certifications, and overtime, and many move into lead, foreman, or contractor roles.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025), via O*NET / My Next Move
From a full apprenticeship to a few weeks online, here's every way into hvac/r in Georgia — ordered from the deepest path to the quickest.