Trade Schools
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage reported by HVAC mechanics and installers in Montana was $52,250 as of May 2021.
If you want to start a profession in this field, you should start your journey with a degree, certificate, or diploma in the field.
Training programs are available at many community colleges and trade schools in Montana.
Program duration varies depending on the type of program and ranges from a few months to a couple of years.
To help you choose the format that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about top schools that offer HVAC training programs.
1Flathead Valley Community College
About the School
Flathead Valley Community College offers an Occupational Trades program that helps students prepare for new hands-on careers.
Tuition is $138.20 per credit hour for FVCC in-district students and $189.20 per credit hour for out-of-district students.
Flathead Valley Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The College offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology program that includes classes such as:
- HVAC Fundamentals- a course that focuses on heat transfer methods, basic terminology, safety topics, and applied physics
- Boiler Operator Certification- a course that introduces students to commercial, industrial, and residential boiler systems and prepares them for the Boiler Operator license exam.
- HVAC Electrical- a program that covers Ohms Law, circuit schematic symbols, and circuit characteristics, among other electrical safety and theory topics
- HVAC Systems- students learn about human comfort, psychometrics, air distribution systems, air flow measurement calculations, and balance considerations
- HVAC Refrigeration- a program that teaches students about the mechanical compression refrigeration cycle and the necessary components
Contact Information
- Address: 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901
- Phone: (406) 756-3822
- Website: https://www.fvcc.edu
2Bitterroot College
About the School
The Bitterroot College University of Montana offers a variety of workforce certification programs.
Located in Hamilton, Montana, Bitterroot College offers access to learning opportunities for the rural community.
The College offers online and on-campus learning opportunities to accommodate students’ learning styles and schedules.
All the available courses are accredited by the University of Montana.
The University of Montana has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1932.
Courses Offered
Courses are available for prospective High Pressure and Low-Pressure Boiler Operators.
High-Pressure Boiler Operators may run steam boilers operated with less than 150 psi and water boilers, not above 160 psi and 350 degrees temperature and 150 horsepower.
Low-Pressure Boiler Engineers may run steam boilers operated not more than 15 psi and water boilers with less than 50 psi and 250 degrees temperature.
To obtain a Montana DLI Pressure Boiler Engineer License, students must:
- Complete an approved High or Low-Pressure Boiler course (depending on the type of license you are seeking)
- Complete a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on experience under the supervision of a licensed boiler engineer
- Pass a written exam
Contact Information
- Address: 103 South 9th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840
- Phone: (406) 375-0100
- Website: https://www.umt.edu/bitterroot-college
3Montana Boiler School
About the School
Montana Boiler School offers a locally taught course that teaches students how to safely operate and maintain low-pressure and third-class commercial boilers.
Courses Offered
The courses available at Montana Boiler School include 32 hours of classes taught on four consecutive Saturdays.
The Certification courses cost $685 for low-pressure systems, not in excess of 15 PSI, and water boilers operating not in excess of 50 PSI or a temperature of 250 degrees.
For students who want to learn how to operate third-class systems, not over 150 PSI steam and water boilers operating not over 160 PSI and 350 degrees temperature, the cost is $720.
Potential students can register through the school’s website.
A grade of 80% or higher is needed on the final course exam to receive a certificate.
This certificate allows students to sit for the state license exam.
Contact Information
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 631, Belgrade, MT 59714
- Phone: 406-224-0300
- Website: https://montanaboilerschool.com
4Montana Technological University
About the School
Montana Technological University provides a variety of technical education programs that can lead to a Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree.
Program duration is between two and four years, depending on the path and the degree.
Tuition and fees sum up to $7,580 for 12 or more credits for in-state students.
Montana Technological University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Financial aid through grants, loans, and scholarships is available for students who qualify.
According to the school’s website, approximately 90 percent of their first-time students receive a form of financial aid.
To qualify for admission, applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Rank in the top half of their high school graduating class
- Earn a minimum ACT composite score of 22
- Earn a minimum SAT total score of 1120
Courses Offered
The curriculum varies depending on the program.
Montana Technological University’s catalog includes an Electrical Engineering program that leads to a Bachelor of Science.
This program covers classes such as:
- Introduction to Engineering Calculations and Problem Solving
- Introduction to Electrical Fundamentals
- Circuits for Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics- Statics
- Introduction to Logic Circuits
- Electronics
- And more
In total, a minimum of 134 credits are required for the Bachelor’s Degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701
- Phone: 800-445-8324
- Website: https://www.mtech.edu/index.html
5Aaniiih Nakoda College
About the School
Aaniiih Nakoda College offers an Industrial Trades program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
This program is designed to offer quality education in many fields of the building industry.
Students learn skills in carpentry, welding, HVAC, machining, log working, fine woodworking, and CNC and are ready for employment in these fields after graduation.
To qualify for admission, students need an official high school transcript or GED transcript.
Courses Offered
The Industrial Trades Associate of Applied Science program includes courses such as:
- Technical Math
- Welding Theory
- Repair and Maintenance Welding
- MIG Welding
- Technical Communications
- Blueprint Reading
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Workplace Ethics
- Drafting
- And many other construction-related skills
In total 62 credits are required for the Industrial Trades Degree.
The program is four semesters long.
Contact Information
- Address: 269 Blackfeet Avenue-Agency, Harlem, MT 59526
- Phone: 406-353-2607
- Website: http://www.ancollege.edu
6Montana State University Billings
About the School
Montana State University Billings offers a variety of educational programs that can lead to Associate Degrees, Certificates, or Bachelor’s Degrees.
Training options are available on campus and online, depending on the chosen pathway.
Costs vary depending on the program and the number of credits but also on the students’ state of residency.
For an on-campus program that includes 12 credits or more, Montana resident students pay approximately $4,110 for tuition and fees.
Montana State University Billings is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The University’s catalog includes trade-related programs in the following career fields:
- Instrument and Electrical Technician- an Associate of Applied Science program that teaches students about basic electrical systems, programmable logic controllers, and how to inspect, operate and repair electrical equipment
- Construction Management- an Associate of Applied Science program that covers courses in:
- Blueprint Codes
- Extended Technical Mathematics
- Risk Management, Safety, and Security
- Construction Concepts
- And many other construction-related classes
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101
- Phone: 406.657.2011
- Website: https://www.msubillings.edu
7Dawson Community College
About the School
Dawson Community College provides a variety of educational programs that prepare students for success.
Tuition is $80 per credit hour for in-district students.
Additional fees sum up to $61.50, bringing the total per-credit cost to $141.50.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog includes a Technical Skills pathway that provides students with skills across multiple technical and trade disciplines.
The program equips students with the knowledge and hands-on experience in technical and soft skills.
Depending on the employer’s needs, the program provides flexibility and allows students to learn specialized skills as well as general knowledge needed for employment in a variety of industries.
Students learn safe workplace habits, knowledge, skills, and aptitudes for entry-level employment, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Trainees are also exposed to computation, communications, and human relations.
The following degree options are available at Dawson Community College:
- Associate of Applied Science
- Certificate of Applied Science
- Certificates of Technical Studies Tiers I-IV
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- College Writing
- Technical Math
- Human Relations in Business
- Standard First Aid/CPR
- And other trade-related classes
Contact Information
- Address: 300 College Drive, PO Box 421, Glendive, MT 59330
- Phone: (406) 377-9400
- Website: https://www.dawson.edu
8Helena College
About the School
Helena College offers training programs in a wide range of fields.
Tuition is $108.59 per credit.
With additional fees, the total per-credit cost for in-state students is $215.97.
First-time students need to provide proof of immunization, ACT/SAT scores if available, and official high school transcripts with graduation date or GED scores.
Helena College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a Sheet Metal Apprenticeship designed to prepare students for careers as sheet metal workers.
The program is designed for students who are registered apprentices and work in the industry and for pre-apprentices who want to start a career in this field.
Students receive training in communication, human relations, and technical mathematics.
The other courses are delivered online.
The curriculum includes classes in:
- Safety and Health with OSHA 10 training
- Sheet Metal Orientation
- Materials, Hand Tools, and Rigging
- Drafting and Layout Tools/Basic Fabrication
- Basic Blueprint Reading/Building Codes
- Basic Ductwork Installation/Hangers, Supports, Insulation
- Technical Mathematics
Contact Information
- Address: 1115 N. Roberts Street (Donaldson Campus)
- Phone: (406) 447-6900
- Website: https://www.helenacollege.edu
9Missoula College- Industrial Tech
About the School
Missoula College- Industrial Tech provides the regional workforce with credentialed, skilled, and competent entry-level technicians.
Courses and degrees are available in-person and remote.
Missoula College is part of the University of Montana.
The University of Montana is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog includes a variety of programs, including:
- Heavy Equipment Operation- students in this program learn how to operate a variety of heavy equipment, as well as basic surveying techniques, and receive extensive training in safety regulations and procedures, and techniques for safe machine operation.
- Sustainable Construction- this pathway includes programs in Carpentry, Engineering Technology, Construction Helper, and Green Building
- Welding Technology- a program that teaches students to operate different welding power sources and equipment
- And more
A number of different paths are available, from two-year associate degrees to certificates.
Tuition costs vary depending on the number of credits.
For a program that includes 12 or more credits, the approximate cost of attendance for in-state students is $4,180.
Contact Information
- Address: 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812
- Phone: 406-243-0211
- Website: https://www.umt.edu/missoula-college-industrial-tech
10Gallatin College
About the School
Gallatin College offers training programs that allow students to earn a Certificate or Associate of Applied Science Degree in one or two years.
Tuition is approximately $109 per credit hour for in-state students.
Additional fees sum up to approximately $123.
High school graduates or GED scores are required for admission.
Financial aid is available for Gallatin College students.
Courses Offered
Gallatin College catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program that combines hands-on training and coursework.
Students learn how to install heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems for residential and commercial applications.
The program offers students the opportunity to earn a one-year Certificate of Applied Science and become HVAC-R Installers or a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree and become HVAC-R Technicians.
Class schedules are designed to accommodate students who work full time.
The program includes 31 credits per year.
Students have class options such as:
- Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
- Introduction to Electricity
- Introduction to HVAC-R
- Trade Tools and Test Equipment
- HVAC-R Electrical
- HVAC-R Welding, Brazing, and Pipe Joining
- Blueprint Reading and Wiring Schematics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 101 Hamilton Hall, PO Box 170515, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Phone: 406-994-5536
- Website: https://gallatin.montana.edu
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 200 | $53,670 | $25.8 | $76,490 | $35,730 |
| Great Falls, MT | 100 | $52,780 | $25.38 | $73,480 | $31,680 |
| Missoula, MT | 130 | $54,890 | $26.39 | $80,070 | $38,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career in the HVAC industry, Montana has plenty of educational options available.
Now that you have read our list we encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style, career aspirations, schedule, and budget.
