HVAC Technician at White Heating and Air Conditioning

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at White Heating and Air Conditioning in Billings, MT

About This Program

White Heating and Air Conditioning, based in Billings, MT, sponsors this registered non-union HVAC Technician apprenticeship. Apprentices are compensated throughout training and gain practical field experience alongside skilled technicians serving residential and commercial clients across the Billings area.

The program runs four years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training combined with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in refrigeration systems, electrical theory and wiring, HVAC equipment installation and commissioning, duct systems, system controls, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and EPA refrigerant handling requirements. Structured classroom hours support the technical knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

Upon completion, graduates earn journey-level HVAC technician status and are prepared to work independently on a full range of heating and cooling systems. Billings, as Montana's largest city, offers strong and consistent demand for qualified HVAC professionals, and White Heating and Air Conditioning provides a solid employer-backed path to enter the trade.

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.

How to Apply

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

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