How much does a hvac / refrigeration mechanic earn in British Columbia?

Roughly $50,398 in the first years and $83,200 by year five (BC median, before tax). Source: WorkBC NOC 72402 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); BCIT Refrigeration Apprenticeship.

What does it cost in BC?

About $5,500 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $0. 4 levels at BCIT.

How long does it take?

About 4 years, first real paycheque within about a month.

Apprenticeship

HVAC / refrigeration mechanic

Certificate of Qualification + Red Seal, Refrigeration and A/C Mechanic (SkilledTradesBC)

Numbers for 24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify

Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.

Years to credential4

First real paycheque~a month

Time in a classroom15%

Total cost$5,500

Typical debt after$0

Demand in BCSteady

The first ten years

earnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn

Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

British Columbia median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $758k, low to high $643k to $873k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$764k	$50,398 rising to $83,200 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$6k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$758k	the number on the card
Low to high	$643k to $873k	pay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isInstalling and servicing heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Increasingly technical as heat pumps and controls become standard.

What actually stops peopleSponsoring employer.

The downsideAttics in July and rooftops in January. Demand is high partly because the work is uncomfortable.

If you're the parentOne of the fastest-growing trades because of electrification. Your child would earn while training and finish debt-free.

Local opportunities in British Columbia

Ready to explore this for real?

Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

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How to enter

What you need

No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up

Deadlines in BC

No deadline: find a sponsor, register with SkilledTradesBC
Grade 10 to 12: Youth Train in Trades (Level 1 in school) and Youth Work in Trades

Next steps in British Columbia

Save or share this pathway

Email it to yourself or someone who should see it.

In British Columbia4 levels at BCIT.

www.workbc.ca · www.bcit.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 72402 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); BCIT Refrigeration Apprenticeship

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