It can be hard to find a career that will never fade out, and that will always have plenty of demand for work.
An HVAC technician is a job that holds its position and will always be in need as long as air conditioners and heaters exist.
Check out my in-depth guide for information on becoming an HVAC technician in Nebraska.
Table of Contents
How to Become an HVAC Technician in Nebraska: Step-by-Step
Becoming an HVAC technician in Nebraska is not as hard as in other areas.
Check out the requirements and education you need to pursue a career as an HVAC technician:
- You need to be 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Study at a college or undertake an apprenticeship
- Get your EPA certificate
- HVAC license, if needed
HVAC Education in Nebraska
Nebraska offers numerous options for HVAC education programs, such as apprenticeships, certificates, and degree programs.
Apprenticeships tend to take longer to complete than studying the course, but you gain hands-on experience as, in most cases, you do more work on the job than theory work in a classroom.
The education can be anywhere from one to four years.
Nebraska HVAC License Requirements
It will depend on what city you are in and what license you need to obtain.
There are currently no requirements for state certificates in Nebraska.
It will also depend on whether you are working as a technician, contractor, or journeyman level, as each requires a different form of license.
If you are working as a contractor and have one or more workers, then you must obtain a license from the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Nebraska EPA Section 608 Certification
Everyone who works with refrigerant in Nebraska must have their EPA 608 certificate.
In some cases, the certificate is included in the course.
The exam consists of 80 questions with a timeframe of three hours to complete the exam.
You need to receive a score of 70% or more to pass.
The exam fee is $120.00.
There are four types of EPA 608 certificates, so you must check which one suits the type of work you will be doing.
There is the universal EPA certificate, which covers you for commercial and residential, among other things.
It is perfect for those who are unsure what type you want to be doing, or you may feel like doing a bit of both.
It will save you from returning to do a second EPA course.
HVAC Extensive Exam
Once you have obtained your basic HVAC certificate, you can move further up the ladder to own a business.
There are two certificates that you can apply to do, one being the journeyman exam, which will cost you $50 to complete.
The other option is the master contractor, which will cost you $400 to complete.
The master exam is more complex and will take 4 ½ hours to complete the four sections.
HVAC Schools In Nebraska
Here are the schools where you can study the HVAC course in Nebraska.
Central Community College
In this course, you will study installing, repairing, and maintaining air conditioners and heating systems.
The course covers both residential and commercial works.
You can choose a specialization extension in heating and air conditioning if you prefer to work in a commercial setting.
The course will last for two years, with the potential to complete the Associate of Applied Science.
Southeast Community College
https://www.southeast.edu/hvactech/
The Southeast Community College has the HVAC course with the AAS certificate.
The course offers classroom theory and hands-on experience in residential and commercial settings.
The program takes 18 months to complete and is grouped into six quarters.
Students will do hands-on work during one quarter and be paid for it.
The program costs $64.00 per credit hour.
Books and tools need to be purchased separately.
Metropolitan Community College
https://www.mccneb.edu/Academics/Programs-of-Study/Construction/Heating-AC-and-Refrigeration
The HVAC course at Metropolitan Community College takes 108.5 credit hours to finish.
You can expect to pay around $64.00 for the course.
The books and the tools you need must be purchased separately.
The course covers you for commercial and residential HVAC work.
You can choose which credit to attend, which can cut back the hours needed to complete the course.
There are a few other colleges that offer the HVAC course that you might like to check out before making a decision:
Mid-Plains Community College
Northeast Community College
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Community College | 3134 US-34, Grand Island, NE 68801, United States |
| Southeast Community College | 8800 O St, Lincoln, NE 68520, United States |
| Metropolitan Community College | 5300 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111, United States |
| Mid-Plains Community College | 601 W State Farm Rd #140, North Platte, NE 69101, United States |
| Northeast Community College | 801 E Benjamin Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701, United States |
Salary for HVAC Technician in Nebraska
The salary for HVAC technicians is $49,321.
The salary bracket sits at $42,615 to $58,114.
There are a few things that change the salary, such as experience, the type of certificates you have completed, and the years you have worked in the industry.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $46,355 |
| Lincoln | $45,946 |
| Bellevue | $46,355 |
| Grand Island | $45,309 |
| Kearney | $45,309 |
| Fremont | $45,620 |
| Hastings | $45,309 |
| Norfolk | $42,122 |
| North Platte | $44,456 |
| Columbus | $45,311 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 120 | $51,530 | $24.77 | $73,490 | $37,160 |
| Lincoln, NE | 630 | $53,480 | $25.71 | $76,340 | $37,380 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 1,720 | $56,810 | $27.31 | $82,640 | $38,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does an HVAC Technician Do in Nebraska?
An HVAC technician performs air conditioning and heating repairs, maintenance, and
installations.
You can work in residential or commercial settings or both if you prefer.
You will be able to diagnose problems in the system and understand the basics of refrigeration.
Is There More Than One HVAC Certification in Nebraska?
Yes, there is.
There are five areas that you can study to get your HVAC certificate.
R-410A certification, EPA certification, NATE certification, indoor air quality certificate, and preventative maintenance HVAC certification.
How Long Does the HVAC Training in Nebraska Go For?
The courses range from six months to two years.
It will depend on which school you go to and what type of course you are studying.
The Associate of Applied Science will take longer than the basic HVAC course.
Is an HVAC Technician in Nebraska a Recommended Career Move?
HVAC technician is a good career move as there will always be work available.
If you get sick of doing commercial work, you can move to residential or work towards owning a business.
The possibilities are endless.
It will just depend on what suits your circumstances better.
HVAC Technician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
