HVAC Technician Salary by State (2025 BLS Data)
The national mean annual wage for HVAC technicians is $64,780 per year — $31.14 per hour — according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release (USDL-26-0725, published May 15, 2026). That is an increase of nearly $5,000 from the May 2024 figure of $59,810. But the national mean masks a wide spread. Depending on your state, specialization, and experience level, you could be earning anywhere from $33,000 as a first-year apprentice to $95,000+ as a master technician in a high-demand market.
This page breaks down HVAC pay by state, by experience level, and by the factors that move your salary up or down. All figures are drawn from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Whether you’re just researching the trade or figuring out whether to relocate for a better-paying market, this is the data you need.
Table of Contents
Quick facts: HVAC technician salary (BLS, May 2025)
- National mean annual wage: $64,780/yr (BLS, May 2025)
- National median hourly wage: $29.33/hr (BLS, May 2025)
- Total HVAC technicians employed: 409,670 nationally
- Entry-level (Year 1 apprentice): $33,000–$40,000/yr
- Experienced journeyman (Year 8–10): $65,000–$78,000/yr
- Highest-paying state: Alaska ($78,400/yr median — May 2024 state data)
- Job outlook: 8.1% growth projected through 2034 (BLS) — much faster than average
- License required: Yes — EPA 608 required federally; state license varies
What HVAC technicians actually earn — the full picture
The $64,780 national mean is a useful anchor, but it is not what most experienced HVAC techs make. The BLS median hourly of $29.33 — roughly $61,000 annualized — represents the worker in the middle of the distribution. The realistic range runs from roughly $37,000 for a first-year helper to $95,000+ for an experienced industrial specialist, and the gap within the occupation is nearly $60,000 wide.
HVAC is also one of the few skilled trades where overtime is both common and expected. In peak summer and winter seasons, many HVAC techs work 50–60 hour weeks, and that overtime pay does not show up in BLS median figures. Plenty of journeymen who report a $65,000 base salary are actually bringing home $75,000–$82,000 after seasonal overtime.
The trade also rewards commercial and industrial specialization heavily. A residential HVAC tech in a mid-tier market might earn $55,000. A commercial refrigeration technician or chiller specialist in the same city can earn $85,000+. Specialization is the single biggest lever on long-term HVAC earnings — more so than location alone.
BLS May 2025 OEWS is here, see what changed: BLS 2025 Skilled Trades Wages: Every Major Trade, One Reference.
HVAC technician salary by state
The table below shows state-level median annual wages for HVAC technicians, sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024 state-level data — the most recent state-level release available. BLS releases national OEWS data first; state-level supplements follow separately. The May 2025 national release (published May 15, 2026) confirmed a national mean of $64,780. State-level May 2025 figures will be incorporated here as soon as BLS publishes the state supplements.
Good to know
The state table below reflects BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level data — the latest state-by-state release available. The BLS May 2025 national data (released May 15, 2026) shows the national mean jumped to $64,780. State-level 2025 figures are published separately and will be updated here when available. State figures cover all HVAC technicians — residential, commercial, and industrial, union and non-union. Specialty roles (industrial refrigeration, chiller systems, data center HVAC) typically pay 15–30% above state medians.
| State | Median Annual Wage | Median Hourly Wage | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $78,400 | $37.69 | +$18,590 |
| New Jersey | $76,400 | $36.73 | +$16,590 |
| California | $73,900 | $35.53 | +$14,090 |
| Washington | $73,100 | $35.14 | +$13,290 |
| Massachusetts | $72,800 | $35.00 | +$12,990 |
| New York | $71,600 | $34.42 | +$11,790 |
| Illinois | $71,300 | $34.28 | +$11,490 |
| Connecticut | $69,200 | $33.27 | +$9,390 |
| Oregon | $66,100 | $31.78 | +$6,290 |
| Minnesota | $64,400 | $30.96 | +$4,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,100 | $30.34 | +$3,290 |
| Colorado | $59,800 | $28.75 | ≈ national |
| Michigan | $59,600 | $28.65 | ≈ national |
| Virginia | $59,400 | $28.56 | ≈ national |
| Wisconsin | $58,400 | $28.08 | −$1,410 |
| Ohio | $57,200 | $27.50 | −$2,610 |
| Indiana | $55,400 | $26.63 | −$4,410 |
| Missouri | $55,200 | $26.54 | −$4,610 |
| Arizona | $55,200 | $26.54 | −$4,610 |
| Texas | $53,200 | $25.58 | −$6,610 |
| Georgia | $52,800 | $25.38 | −$7,010 |
| North Carolina | $51,400 | $24.71 | −$8,410 |
| Tennessee | $50,700 | $24.38 | −$9,110 |
| Florida | $50,100 | $24.09 | −$9,710 |
| Alabama | $48,700 | $23.41 | −$11,110 |
| Arkansas | $46,100 | $22.16 | −$13,710 |
State figures: BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level estimates (SOC 49-9021). National mean annual wage updated to $64,780 per BLS May 2025 national release (USDL-26-0725). State-level May 2025 data will be incorporated when BLS publishes state supplements.
Looking for a state not listed? Use the interactive salary estimator tool for all 50 states plus experience-level breakdowns.
HVAC technician pay by experience level
Your experience level and license tier are the second biggest driver of HVAC salary after location. The table below uses the BLS May 2025 national mean hourly wage of $31.14 as the journeyman baseline to estimate pay at each stage of a career.
| Experience Level | Typical Annual Pay | Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 — Apprentice | $33,000–$40,000 | $16–$19/hr | Entry-level helper or first-year apprentice; no EPA certification yet |
| Year 2–3 — Apprentice | $42,000–$50,000 | $20–$24/hr | EPA 608 certified; handling installs and maintenance with supervision |
| Journeyman (Year 4–5) | $52,000–$65,000 | $25–$31/hr | State journeyman license; working independently on residential and light commercial |
| Experienced Journeyman (Year 8–10) | $65,000–$78,000 | $31–$38/hr | Commercial and industrial work; NATE certifications add value here |
| Master Tech / Foreman (Year 12+) | $78,000–$95,000 | $38–$46/hr | Master license; leading crews, managing large commercial projects |
| Top Specialist (Industrial / Chiller) | $95,000–$130,000+ | $46–$62+/hr | Chiller technicians, industrial refrigeration, data center HVAC; highest demand niche |
Ranges based on BLS OEWS May 2025 national mean hourly wage ($31.14) as journeyman baseline. IBEW and UA union wage scales are set by local collective bargaining agreements and will vary by city and region.
The jump from journeyman to experienced journeyman is where most HVAC techs see the biggest salary increase. This is typically where NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certifications pay off — employers pay a measurable premium for NATE-certified technicians, particularly in commercial work.
Pro tip
Don’t stop at residential. The biggest salary jump in HVAC comes from moving into commercial and industrial work — specifically large-tonnage chillers, data center cooling, and industrial refrigeration. Techs who specialize in these systems routinely earn $95,000–$130,000 in markets like New York, Chicago, and California. The training time is longer, but the pay ceiling is substantially higher than residential service work.
What affects your HVAC salary the most
1. State and metro market
The state you work in is the single biggest variable in HVAC pay. New Jersey pays a $76,400 median — more than $16,000 above the national level. Arkansas sits at $46,100, nearly $14,000 below it. The gap is driven by unionization rates, local labor demand, cost of living adjustments, and how many licensed HVAC contractors are competing for the same workers.
Within states, metro areas pay more than rural areas. A journeyman in Chicago earns significantly more than one in downstate Illinois. Always look at metro-level BLS data (available at bls.gov/oes) when evaluating a specific city.
2. Residential vs. commercial vs. industrial
This is the second-biggest salary variable, and it’s one you can control.
Residential
- Most common entry point
- Typical pay: $50,000–$65,000
- High service call volume
- Commission potential on upsells
- Fastest to get started
Commercial
- Higher base wages
- Typical pay: $65,000–$85,000
- Rooftop units, chillers, VAV systems
- More complex troubleshooting
- Union work common here
Industrial
- Highest pay ceiling
- Typical pay: $80,000–$130,000+
- Data centers, pharma, cold storage
- Strictest certification requirements
- Most specialized training path
3. Union vs. non-union employment
Union HVAC technicians — primarily organized through UA Local unions (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, which covers HVAC/pipefitting) — typically earn 15–25% more than their non-union counterparts in the same market, plus health insurance and pension benefits that most non-union workers do not receive.
Union work is concentrated in major metro areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest. In right-to-work states across the South and Mountain West, non-union is the dominant path. For a full breakdown of how union and non-union career paths compare across the trades, read our union vs. non-union guide.
4. Certifications
The EPA 608 certification is mandatory for any tech who handles refrigerants — required by federal law, not optional. Beyond that, NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification is the industry’s main voluntary credential and it pays. A 2023 ACCA industry survey found NATE-certified technicians earn an average of 7–12% more than uncertified techs at the same experience level.
For commercial and industrial work, manufacturer-specific certifications from Carrier, Trane, York, or Daikin can also move your pay up — particularly if you want to work on those brands’ service contracts. For a full breakdown of what certifications matter and how to get them, read our HVAC certification and licensing guide.
5. Overtime and on-call premiums
HVAC has a seasonal demand structure that creates real overtime income. In Phoenix in July or Minneapolis in January, HVAC companies are overbooked and actively need techs to work extra hours. Many experienced techs earn $10,000–$20,000 in seasonal overtime on top of their base salary — income that does not show up in BLS median figures but is a real and reliable part of total annual compensation.
Highest-paying states for HVAC technicians
If you’re considering relocating for higher pay, these are the states where HVAC median wages are furthest above the national median and where the labor market is strong enough to sustain that premium long-term.
| Rank | State | Median HVAC Salary | Above National Median | Why It Pays More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $78,400 | +$18,590 | Remote labor premium, extreme climate, limited technician supply |
| 2 | New Jersey | $76,400 | +$16,590 | Dense commercial market, strong UA union presence, high cost of living |
| 3 | California | $73,900 | +$14,090 | Large commercial/industrial sector, high COL adjustment, strict licensing |
| 4 | Washington | $73,100 | +$13,290 | Tech sector data centers, strong commercial demand in Seattle metro |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $72,800 | +$12,990 | High COL, active union market, dense commercial and institutional buildings |
| 6 | New York | $71,600 | +$11,790 | NYC commercial density, UA Local 638, high demand for service techs |
| 7 | Illinois | $71,300 | +$11,490 | Chicago commercial market, strong UA presence, cold winters drive demand |
Pro tip
Washington state is worth a close look for HVAC techs interested in the data center sector. The Seattle and Eastern Washington markets have seen significant growth in data center construction driven by AI infrastructure buildout. Data center HVAC — specifically precision cooling and chiller systems — commands a meaningful premium over standard commercial work, and Washington’s tech industry creates consistent, long-term demand for these specialists.
HVAC salary vs. other skilled trades
HVAC sits in the mid-range of the skilled trades salary table, but the May 2025 BLS data shows the broader context has shifted since last year. Every major trade saw significant wage gains — and the relative gaps between trades changed meaningfully.
| Trade | Mean Annual Wage (BLS, May 2025) | Job Growth Through 2034 | Training Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Installer | $109,820 | ~4% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| Plumber / Pipefitter | $72,170 | ~4% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| Electrician | $71,490 | 9.5% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| Millwright | $69,780 | ~13% | 4–5 yr apprenticeship |
| Wind Turbine Tech | $68,980 | 60% | Associate degree or cert |
| HVAC Technician | $64,780 | 8.1% | 6 mo–2 yr + apprenticeship |
| Carpenter | $65,630 | ~2% | 3–4 yr apprenticeship |
| Welder | $56,760 | ~3% | 6 mo–2 yr |
| Solar PV Installer | $57,900 | 48% | 1 yr + OJT |
All salary data: BLS OEWS May 2025 (released May 15, 2026, USDL-26-0725).
One shift worth noting in the 2025 data: the gap between HVAC and plumbing widened significantly. In 2024, the two trades sat almost identically in pay — just $280 apart nationally. In 2025, plumbers/pipefitters jumped to $72,170 while HVAC moved to $64,780 — a gap of $7,390. Both trades grew, but plumbing grew faster in the 2025 data cycle.
HVAC’s core competitive advantage remains its training timeline. You can be a working, EPA-certified HVAC tech in 6–12 months through a trade school program — versus 4–5 years for a full electrical or plumbing apprenticeship. And at the specialist level, commercial and industrial HVAC techs in high-wage states can match or exceed journeyman electrician wages once NATE certifications, union scale, and overtime are factored in.
HVAC also competes favorably on job growth — the 8.1% projected growth through 2034 is classified by BLS as “much faster than average,” driven by aging building infrastructure, climate-related demand, and commercial construction. If you want to compare salary potential across all the major trades before committing, the trades salary estimator tool covers every major trade, every state, and every experience level.
If you want to know about business opportunities in the HVAC trades, read our guide on how to start an HVAC business.
Watch out
Some trade school marketing materials advertise HVAC “salaries” of $75,000–$80,000 for graduates without disclosing that those figures typically reflect 10+ years of experience in high-paying markets. First-year HVAC techs realistically earn $33,000–$40,000. That’s a solid entry wage that grows quickly — but it’s not what some programs imply. Always verify salary claims against BLS state-level data at bls.gov/oes before enrolling in any program.
Frequently asked questions
How much do HVAC technicians make per hour?
The national median hourly wage for HVAC technicians is $29.33 per hour, and the mean hourly wage is $31.14, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. Entry-level apprentices typically start at $16–$19/hr. Experienced journeymen in commercial work earn $31–$38/hr, and top industrial specialists in high-paying states can exceed $50/hr, particularly in data center or chiller roles.
What state pays HVAC technicians the most?
Alaska has the highest median HVAC salary at $78,400/yr (BLS May 2024 state data), driven by remote labor premiums and extreme climate demands. Among the contiguous 48 states, New Jersey ($76,400), California ($73,900), Washington ($73,100), and Massachusetts ($72,800) are the top-paying markets — all driven by a combination of high cost of living, strong union presence, and large commercial HVAC demand.
Can HVAC technicians make $100,000 a year?
Yes — but it typically requires 10+ years of experience, a master-level license or specialized industrial certifications, and working in a high-paying state or metro market. Industrial specialists in chiller systems, data center cooling, or commercial refrigeration in markets like New York, California, or Illinois can exceed $100,000 through a combination of base salary and seasonal overtime. The BLS top-10% threshold for HVAC techs nationally sits around $90,000+.
Does HVAC pay more than plumbing or electrical?
At the national mean, HVAC ($64,780) now pays less than both plumbing ($72,170) and electrical ($71,490) per BLS May 2025 data — a gap that widened significantly in the 2025 release. However, HVAC has a much shorter path to employment: you can be earning in 6–12 months versus 4–5 years for a full electrical or plumbing apprenticeship. At the specialist level, commercial and industrial HVAC techs can match journeyman electrician wages in most markets, especially with NATE certifications and union scale.
Do union HVAC technicians earn more?
Generally yes. Union HVAC technicians — primarily organized through the United Association (UA) — typically earn 15–25% more in base wages than non-union techs in the same market, and receive health insurance and pension benefits that most non-union workers do not. Union work is concentrated in major metro areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest. In right-to-work states across the South, non-union is the dominant path and wages are lower as a result.
How does NATE certification affect HVAC pay?
NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the leading voluntary certification in HVAC and carries a measurable pay premium. A 2023 ACCA industry survey found NATE-certified technicians earn an average of 7–12% more than uncertified techs at the same experience level. The certification is particularly valuable for commercial work, where employers and service contract clients use NATE status as a quality benchmark. It typically takes 1–2 years of field experience before sitting for the NATE exam.
Is HVAC a good career in 2026?
HVAC has strong fundamentals in 2026. The BLS projects 8.1% job growth through 2034 — classified as “much faster than average.” The mean annual wage reached $64,780 in May 2025, up nearly $5,000 from May 2024. The trade is not at significant automation risk in the near term, demand is year-round and recession-resistant, and the ongoing shortage of trained technicians means employers are actively competing for qualified workers. The shorter training timeline compared to electrical or plumbing makes it one of the fastest paths to a well-paying skilled trade career.
How much did HVAC wages increase in 2025?
The BLS May 2025 OEWS data (released May 15, 2026, USDL-26-0725) shows the national mean annual wage for HVAC technicians increased to $64,780 — up from $59,810 in May 2024, an increase of nearly $5,000 in one year. The mean hourly wage is now $31.14, and the median hourly is $29.33. Total employment is 409,670, a decrease from 425,200 in May 2024, which may reflect tighter labor market conditions and a shift in the worker mix captured in the survey.
To find out which trades pay the most in 2026, read the highest paying trade jobs — full ranking.
Other skilled trades salary guides:
- Electrician Salary by State
- Plumber Salary by State in 2026 (Latest BLS Data)
- Millwright Salary by State (2026 Data Guide)
- Welder Salary in the US: What You’ll Actually Earn (2026)
- Carpenter Salary in the US: What You’ll Actually Earn (2026)
- Journeyman Electrician Salary: What You’ll Earn in 2026
All national salary data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (released May 15, 2026, USDL-26-0725). State-level figures: BLS OEWS May 2024 state supplements (SOC 49-9021). State-level 2025 data will be incorporated when BLS publishes state supplements.
