Heating and cooling never goes out of style — every building in Wisconsin needs it, twice a year, forever. Get paid to learn, license up, and one day run your own trucks.
Get road-ready
The two things almost every shop asks for
HVAC diploma — tech college
The classroom route
1–2 yrs
Direct-entry installer helper
The earn-first route
$16–19/hr 6–18 mo
EPA 608 Universal
One week. Federally required. Huge unlock.
1 mo
Apprentice service tech
Paid to learn, wage climbs every year
$18–24/hr 2–5 yrs
Journeyman service tech
Your own van, your own calls
$28–38/hr 2 yrs
The path splits — pick your ending
Employment
Service manager / estimator
$75–95K
Ownership
Contractor licensing & insurance
3–6 mo
Launch your shop (owner-operator)
$60–120K 12 mo
Hire & train a crew
$150K+ 2 yrs
Get road-ready
The two things almost every shop asks for
HVAC diploma — tech college
The classroom route
1–2 yrs
Direct-entry installer helper
The earn-first route
$16–19/hr 6–18 mo
EPA 608 Universal
One week. Federally required. Huge unlock.
1 mo
Apprentice service tech
Paid to learn, wage climbs every year
$18–24/hr 2–5 yrs
Journeyman service tech
Your own van, your own calls
$28–38/hr 2 yrs
Service manager / estimator
Run the board, price the jobs
$75–95K
Contractor licensing & insurance
The paperwork sprint before ownership
3–6 mo
Launch your shop (owner-operator)
Your name on the van
$60–120K 12 mo
Hire & train a crew
From tech to business owner
$150K+ 2 yrs
Tap any step · pin "I'm here" to track your journey
Typical Milwaukee-metro ranges — offers vary by shop and shift.