HVAC Technician at 1st Service Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Service Company, Inc.

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at 1st Service Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Service Company, Inc. in Berlin, MD

About This Program

1st Service Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Service Company, Inc. sponsors this registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship in Berlin, MD. This non-union, employer-sponsored program provides paid training for individuals pursuing a career in HVAC and commercial refrigeration on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Apprentices earn wages throughout the entire program while working toward a nationally recognized journeyman credential.

The time-based program runs for 4 years, providing 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work with experienced company technicians, gaining skills in refrigeration equipment service, HVAC system installation and repair, and diagnostics. Technical instruction includes refrigeration theory, electrical systems, system controls, troubleshooting methodologies, and safety and regulatory compliance.

Completing the program prepares graduates to perform journey-level HVAC and refrigeration work independently. With a registered apprenticeship credential, completers are equipped for long-term employment in a skilled trade with reliable demand across the commercial, food service, and residential sectors throughout Maryland's Eastern Shore and beyond.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.

HVAC Technician Career Outlook

National Median

$25.95/hr

~$53,976/yr

Apprentice Start

$16/hr

Earn while you learn

Job Outlook

HVAC technician employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by new construction, system replacements, and the transition to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly equipment. The push toward heat pumps and smart building systems is creating new specialization opportunities. Experienced technicians with strong troubleshooting skills are in high demand across all regions.

What to Expect as a HVAC Technician Apprentice

Duration

4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction

On-the-Job Training

~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)

Classroom Instruction

576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)

Paid Training

You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress

Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for HVAC Technician

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
Starting wage$16.00/hr
Journeyman wage$25.95/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

Licensing in Maryland

HVAC Technicians in Maryland are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Maryland Department of Labor – Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

View full Marylandlicensing requirements →

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