How much does a HVAC technician make?
The median HVAC technician in the United States earns $61,010 per year, about $29.33 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all HVAC technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-9021.
HVAC technician salary range
Pay for HVAC technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,050 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $95,210. The average (mean) wage of $64,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,050 | $19.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,360 | $23.25 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $29.33 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $77,060 | $37.05 | |
| 90th percentile | $95,210 | $45.78 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (SOC 49-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
HVAC technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. HVAC technicians earn the most in District of Columbia at $84,390 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $48,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,390 | 400 |
| Alaska | $77,430 | 610 |
| Illinois | $77,410 | 9,740 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 | 8,200 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 | 3,800 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 | 4,200 |
| Washington | $75,660 | 7,370 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 | 10,330 |
| New York | $74,430 | 24,430 |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 | 2,560 |
| California | $72,560 | 35,130 |
| Maryland | $70,020 | 8,560 |
| Rhode Island | $67,370 | 1,450 |
| Hawaii | $65,450 | 1,300 |
| Colorado | $65,200 | 8,940 |
| Maine | $63,170 | 2,250 |
| Oregon | $62,940 | 3,980 |
| Ohio | $62,510 | 14,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,400 | 15,880 |
| Delaware | $62,320 | 1,730 |
| Vermont | $62,150 | 970 |
| Wisconsin | $61,710 | 6,630 |
| South Dakota | $61,390 | 1,610 |
| Michigan | $60,850 | 12,590 |
| Montana | $60,850 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $60,680 | 3,840 |
| Nevada | $60,510 | 4,170 |
| Kansas | $60,460 | 3,770 |
| Indiana | $60,430 | 8,530 |
| Missouri | $59,950 | 7,220 |
| Nebraska | $59,850 | 3,020 |
| Virginia | $59,730 | 14,690 |
| Arizona | $59,400 | 10,860 |
| Utah | $58,730 | 5,580 |
| Louisiana | $58,650 | 5,380 |
| Kentucky | $58,620 | 5,100 |
| Texas | $57,760 | 34,730 |
| Oklahoma | $57,560 | 5,650 |
| North Carolina | $57,260 | 15,230 |
| Florida | $56,670 | 39,160 |
| South Carolina | $56,610 | 6,920 |
| Georgia | $56,390 | 12,290 |
| Idaho | $56,240 | 4,550 |
| Tennessee | $55,490 | 9,740 |
| Wyoming | $54,700 | 690 |
| New Mexico | $50,270 | 1,950 |
| West Virginia | $48,850 | 1,690 |
| Mississippi | $48,680 | 2,700 |
| Alabama | $48,370 | 8,260 |
| Arkansas | $48,110 | 4,960 |
State median wages for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (SOC 49-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for HVAC technicians
The BLS projects employment of HVAC technicians to grow 10.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 440,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 489,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 40,600 openings a year for HVAC technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an HVAC technician
The typical entry-level education for HVAC technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an HVAC technician earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $84,390) and the lowest (Arkansas, $48,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 409,670 people work as HVAC technicians in the United States. At $61,010 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
HVAC technician salary FAQ
How much does an HVAC technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an HVAC technician is $29.33. The middle half of HVAC technicians earn between $23.25 and $37.05 per hour.
What is the highest HVAC technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of HVAC technicians earn more than $95,210 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an HVAC technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an HVAC technician is $61,010. The average (mean) wage of $64,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an HVAC technician a well paid job?
At $61,010 a year, an HVAC technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 409,670 people work as HVAC technicians in the United States.
Which state pays HVAC technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for HVAC technicians at $84,390 a year. Alaska ($77,430) and Illinois ($77,410) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an HVAC technician a good career?
Employment of HVAC technicians is projected to grow 10.9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 40,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an HVAC technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for HVAC technicians as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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