Hiring for HVAC work in Chicago? Start with the facts that are specific to Chicago and Illinois: who licenses the work, how to check a license, where permits come from, and what the local market looks like. Every figure below links to its official source.
Before you hire in Chicago: a checklist
- Illinois has no statewide license for this work, so ask which local license or registration the HVAC contractor holds and confirm it with the issuing city or county.
- Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage before work starts.
- Confirm who will pull the permit with City of Chicago Department of Buildings and that final inspection is included in the price.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same scope; our HVAC guide covers typical costs, questions to ask and red flags.
HVAC licensing in Illinois
Illinois has no state HVAC contractor license; HVAC contractor licensing and registration is handled by cities and counties. Homeowners should check with their local building department.
| Who licenses it | No statewide license in Illinois; cities and counties set the rules |
|---|
Building permits in Chicago
Residential building permits for Chicago are issued by City of Chicago Department of Buildings. Permits are commonly required for replacing or adding heating and cooling equipment. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit and book the inspections; a contractor who asks you to pull it yourself is a warning sign.
Official permit office page, checked November 15, 2026.
Chicago's HVAC market: firms and pay
Census County Business Patterns counted 1,377 business locations with paid employees in Cook County in 2023 in the industry “plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors,” employing 15,401 people. The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area was $77,960 (May 2025), higher than in most of the 108 metro areas we cover. Local pay levels feed directly into labor rates on quotes.
| Business locations (plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors) in Cook County | 1,377 |
|---|---|
| People employed at those locations | 15,401 |
| Share with fewer than 10 employees | 81% |
| Average annual payroll per employee | $88,300 |
| Median annual wage, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area | $77,960 |
Census counts HVAC and plumbing contractors together in one industry. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 238220; employer establishments only, so self-employed one-person businesses are not counted); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Checked November 15, 2026.
Chicago climate and what it means for heating and cooling
Heating demand is far larger than cooling demand here. Chicago has more heating degree days than 131 of the 155 cities we cover and more cooling degree days than 46. Degree days track how hard a system works over a year, so they are a fair guide to whether to prioritize furnace or heat-pump heating capacity, cooling capacity and dehumidification, and how quickly an efficiency upgrade pays back.
| Heating degree days (base 65°F) | 5,753 |
|---|---|
| Cooling degree days (base 65°F) | 1,111 |
| Average annual temperature | 52.1°F |
| Average annual precipitation | 34.4 in |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Chicago Midway Airport (USW00014819). 30-year averages, not a forecast. Checked November 15, 2026.
Seasonal notes for Illinois
Heating reliability is the priority in Illinois. Schedule furnace or boiler service before the first hard freeze, and ask about sizing, venting and backup options if your system fails in a cold snap.
Other trades in Chicago
More Chicago guides
HVAC in other cities
AllCityPros is an independent information resource. We do not endorse, rate or vouch for any business, and nothing here is legal or professional advice. Licensing rules change; confirm requirements with the licensing agency before you sign a contract. Business counts and wages are official statistics for the county or metro area, not counts of businesses available to you.