HVAC technician salary: what HVAC technicians actually make
HVAC technicians earned a median $29.33 an hour ($61,010 a year) in May 2025, across 409,670 jobs in the BLS employer survey. Pay by state and metro, the 20-year trend, and the union scale contractors must pay on federal work.
How much do HVAC technicians make?
The median HVAC technician earned $29.33 an hour, or $61,010 a year, in May 2025 according to the BLS employer survey of 409,670 jobs. Half earn more and half earn less; the middle 50% earn between $23.25 and $37.05 an hour.
The middle half of HVAC technicians earn between $23.25 and $37.05 an hour. The top 10% earn more than $45.78 ($95,210 a year); the bottom 10% earn less than $19.25. The top 10% earn 2.4× what the bottom 10% earn.
Apprentice, journeyman and master HVAC technician pay
Pay tracks licence and experience: an apprentice or entry-level HVAC technician earns near the bottom of the range, a journeyman around the median, and a master HVAC technician, foreman or specialist in the top quarter. The union pay scale (journeyman base plus fringe) for every county is in the prevailing-wage section.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $19.25 – $23.25 | $40,050 – $48,360 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $23.25 – $37.05 | $48,360 – $77,060 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $37.05 – $45.78 | $77,060 – $95,210 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Career-stage bands are an approximate reading of the wage distribution, not a BLS classification or licence requirement.
HVAC technician pay by state
Table
| State | Median $/hr | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $40.57 | 38% above |
| Alaska | $37.23 | 27% above |
| Illinois | $37.21 | 27% above |
| Massachusetts | $37.16 | 27% above |
| Connecticut | $36.83 | 26% above |
| Minnesota | $36.71 | 25% above |
| Washington | $36.38 | 24% above |
| North Dakota | $35.81 | 22% above |
| New Jersey | $35.79 | 22% above |
| New York | $35.78 | 22% above |
| New Hampshire | $35.51 | 21% above |
| California | $34.88 | 19% above |
| Maryland | $33.67 | 15% above |
| Rhode Island | $32.39 | 10% above |
| Hawaii | $31.47 | 7% above |
| Colorado | $31.35 | 7% above |
| Maine | $30.37 | 4% above |
| Oregon | $30.26 | 3% above |
| Ohio | $30.06 | 2% above |
| Pennsylvania | $30.00 | 2% above |
| Delaware | $29.96 | 2% above |
| Vermont | $29.88 | 2% above |
| Wisconsin | $29.67 | 1% above |
| South Dakota | $29.51 | 1% above |
| Michigan | $29.26 | about the same as |
| Montana | $29.26 | about the same as |
| Iowa | $29.17 | 1% below |
| Nevada | $29.09 | 1% below |
| Kansas | $29.07 | 1% below |
| Indiana | $29.05 | 1% below |
| Missouri | $28.82 | 2% below |
| Nebraska | $28.77 | 2% below |
| Virginia | $28.72 | 2% below |
| Arizona | $28.56 | 3% below |
| Utah | $28.24 | 4% below |
| Louisiana | $28.20 | 4% below |
| Kentucky | $28.18 | 4% below |
| Texas | $27.77 | 5% below |
| Oklahoma | $27.67 | 6% below |
| North Carolina | $27.53 | 6% below |
| Florida | $27.24 | 7% below |
| South Carolina | $27.22 | 7% below |
| Georgia | $27.11 | 8% below |
| Idaho | $27.04 | 8% below |
| Tennessee | $26.68 | 9% below |
| Wyoming | $26.30 | 10% below |
| New Mexico | $24.17 | 18% below |
| West Virginia | $23.49 | 20% below |
| Mississippi | $23.41 | 20% below |
| Alabama | $23.26 | 21% below |
| Arkansas | $23.13 | 21% below |
| State | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $40.57 | $36.92 | #4 | 400 |
| Alaska | $37.23 | $36.36 | #5 | 610 |
| Illinois | $37.21 | $37.21 | #3 | 9,740 |
| Massachusetts | $37.16 | $35.12 | #7 | 8,200 |
| Connecticut | $36.83 | $35.55 | #6 | 3,800 |
| Minnesota | $36.71 | $37.23 | #2 | 4,200 |
| Washington | $36.38 | $34.00 | #9 | 7,370 |
| North Dakota | $35.81 | $40.24 | #1 | 970 |
| New Jersey | $35.79 | $32.90 | #13 | 10,330 |
| New York | $35.78 | $33.16 | #12 | 24,430 |
| New Hampshire | $35.51 | $34.08 | #8 | 2,560 |
| California | $34.88 | $31.51 | #23 | 35,130 |
| Maryland | $33.67 | $32.07 | #16 | 8,560 |
| Rhode Island | $32.39 | $31.66 | #20 | 1,450 |
| Hawaii | $31.47 | $28.61 | #38 | 1,300 |
| Colorado | $31.35 | $30.41 | #31 | 8,940 |
| Maine | $30.37 | $31.31 | #24 | 2,250 |
| Oregon | $30.26 | $29.26 | #33 | 3,980 |
| Ohio | $30.06 | $32.39 | #14 | 14,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $30.00 | $30.74 | #28 | 15,880 |
| Delaware | $29.96 | $30.02 | #32 | 1,730 |
| Vermont | $29.88 | $30.49 | #29 | 970 |
| Wisconsin | $29.67 | $31.53 | #21 | 6,630 |
| South Dakota | $29.51 | $33.31 | #10 | 1,610 |
| Michigan | $29.26 | $30.42 | #30 | 12,590 |
| Montana | $29.26 | $30.93 | #27 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $29.17 | $33.22 | #11 | 3,840 |
| Nevada | $29.09 | $29.09 | #35 | 4,170 |
| Kansas | $29.07 | $32.26 | #15 | 3,770 |
| Indiana | $29.05 | $31.14 | #26 | 8,530 |
| Missouri | $28.82 | $31.74 | #19 | 7,220 |
| Nebraska | $28.77 | $31.93 | #18 | 3,020 |
| Virginia | $28.72 | $28.41 | #41 | 14,690 |
| Arizona | $28.56 | $28.36 | #43 | 10,860 |
| Utah | $28.24 | $28.55 | #40 | 5,580 |
| Louisiana | $28.20 | $31.97 | #17 | 5,380 |
| Kentucky | $28.18 | $31.24 | #25 | 5,100 |
| Texas | $27.77 | $28.60 | #39 | 34,730 |
| Oklahoma | $27.67 | $31.51 | #22 | 5,650 |
| North Carolina | $27.53 | $29.19 | #34 | 15,230 |
| Florida | $27.24 | $26.34 | #48 | 39,160 |
| South Carolina | $27.22 | $29.05 | #36 | 6,920 |
| Georgia | $27.11 | $28.15 | #45 | 12,290 |
| Idaho | $27.04 | $28.31 | #44 | 4,550 |
| Tennessee | $26.68 | $29.03 | #37 | 9,740 |
| Wyoming | $26.30 | $28.37 | #42 | 690 |
| New Mexico | $24.17 | $26.21 | #50 | 1,950 |
| West Virginia | $23.49 | $26.25 | #49 | 1,690 |
| Mississippi | $23.41 | $26.91 | #46 | 2,700 |
| Alabama | $23.26 | $26.19 | #51 | 8,260 |
| Arkansas | $23.13 | $26.62 | #47 | 4,960 |
HVAC technician wages over time
Table
| Year | Nominal $/hr | In 2025 $ | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $14.50 | $28.02 | 187,850 |
| 2000 | $15.76 | $29.46 | 197,930 |
| 2001 | $16.35 | $29.72 | 201,850 |
| 2002 | $16.78 | $30.03 | 206,870 |
| 2003 | $16.90 | $29.57 | 212,200 |
| 2004 | $17.43 | $29.71 | 225,630 |
| 2005 | $17.81 | $29.36 | 241,380 |
| 2006 | $18.11 | $28.92 | 250,970 |
| 2007 | $18.44 | $28.63 | 262,570 |
| 2008 | $19.08 | $28.53 | 261,610 |
| 2009 | $19.76 | $29.65 | 244,410 |
| 2010 | $20.45 | $30.19 | 224,320 |
| 2011 | $20.86 | $29.86 | 231,160 |
| 2012 | $20.98 | $29.42 | 240,480 |
| 2013 | $21.10 | $29.16 | 251,700 |
| 2014 | $21.46 | $29.18 | 261,390 |
| 2015 | $21.69 | $29.46 | 274,680 |
| 2016 | $22.07 | $29.60 | 294,730 |
| 2017 | $22.64 | $29.74 | 307,060 |
| 2018 | $22.89 | $29.35 | 324,310 |
| 2019 | $23.43 | $29.50 | 342,040 |
| 2020 | $24.32 | $30.25 | 344,020 |
| 2021 | $23.38 | $27.78 | 356,960 |
| 2022 | $24.71 | $27.18 | 374,770 |
| 2023 | $27.55 | $29.11 | 397,450 |
| 2024 | $28.75 | $29.51 | 396,870 |
| 2025 | $29.33 | $29.33 | 409,670 |
Adjusted for inflation, the median HVAC technician wage changed by -0.4% over the last ten years and by -0.6% since 2019.
Are there more HVAC technician jobs than there used to be?
The BLS employer survey counted 409,670 HVAC technicians in May 2025, +49.1% compared with 274,680 ten years earlier and +19.8% since 2019.
Table
| Year | Jobs |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 187,850 |
| 2000 | 197,930 |
| 2001 | 201,850 |
| 2002 | 206,870 |
| 2003 | 212,200 |
| 2004 | 225,630 |
| 2005 | 241,380 |
| 2006 | 250,970 |
| 2007 | 262,570 |
| 2008 | 261,610 |
| 2009 | 244,410 |
| 2010 | 224,320 |
| 2011 | 231,160 |
| 2012 | 240,480 |
| 2013 | 251,700 |
| 2014 | 261,390 |
| 2015 | 274,680 |
| 2016 | 294,730 |
| 2017 | 307,060 |
| 2018 | 324,310 |
| 2019 | 342,040 |
| 2020 | 344,020 |
| 2021 | 356,960 |
| 2022 | 374,770 |
| 2023 | 397,450 |
| 2024 | 396,870 |
| 2025 | 409,670 |
Of the 28 states with a precise enough estimate to compare, 25 counted more HVAC technicians in 2025 than ten years earlier. The fastest growth was in New York (+83.3%, 13,330 to 24,430); the weakest was Iowa (-8.6%).
| State | Jobs in 2015 | Jobs in 2025 | Change over 10 years | Since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 13,330 | 24,430 | +83.3% | +29.9% |
| Colorado | 4,990 | 8,940 | +79.2% | +17.5% |
| Alabama | 4,660 | 8,260 | +77.3% | +28.5% |
| Washington | 4,330 | 7,370 | +70.2% | +9.2% |
| Missouri | 4,280 | 7,220 | +68.7% | +27.8% |
| California | 21,280 | 35,130 | +65.1% | +18.5% |
| Arizona | 6,670 | 10,860 | +62.8% | +13.1% |
| Indiana | 5,260 | 8,530 | +62.2% | +18.8% |
| Michigan | 7,900 | 12,590 | +59.4% | +39.7% |
| Texas | 21,810 | 34,730 | +59.2% | +30.1% |
| Virginia | 9,820 | 14,690 | +49.6% | +25.9% |
| Maryland | 5,750 | 8,560 | +48.9% | +16.9% |
| Florida | 26,390 | 39,160 | +48.4% | +23.5% |
| Oklahoma | 3,860 | 5,650 | +46.4% | +38.5% |
| Wisconsin | 4,540 | 6,630 | +46.0% | +42.3% |
| South Carolina | 4,750 | 6,920 | +45.7% | +25.1% |
| Louisiana | 3,730 | 5,380 | +44.2% | +22.3% |
| North Carolina | 10,800 | 15,230 | +41.0% | +10.4% |
| Kentucky | 3,640 | 5,100 | +40.1% | +18.9% |
| Georgia | 8,850 | 12,290 | +38.9% | +23.3% |
| Tennessee | 7,030 | 9,740 | +38.5% | +16.9% |
| Illinois | 7,330 | 9,740 | +32.9% | +10.2% |
| Ohio | 10,740 | 14,150 | +31.8% | +16.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 12,700 | 15,880 | +25.0% | +1.6% |
| Connecticut | 3,330 | 3,800 | +14.1% | -20.5% |
| New Jersey | 10,410 | 10,330 | -0.8% | -1.0% |
| Massachusetts | 8,340 | 8,200 | -1.7% | -2.6% |
| Iowa | 4,200 | 3,840 | -8.6% | -10.5% |
Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.
Where the HVAC technician jobs are
Idaho has the highest concentration of HVAC technicians, 2.0× the national share, followed by Florida (1.5×) and Alabama (1.5×). The lowest is District of Columbia at 0.2×. Concentration says where the trade is a large part of the local economy; the job count says where the most positions are.
| State | Jobs | Jobs per 1,000 | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 4,550 | 5.3 | 2.0× |
| Florida | 39,160 | 3.9 | 1.5× |
| Alabama | 8,260 | 3.9 | 1.5× |
| Arkansas | 4,960 | 3.8 | 1.4× |
| New Hampshire | 2,560 | 3.8 | 1.4× |
| Virginia | 14,690 | 3.6 | 1.4× |
| Delaware | 1,730 | 3.6 | 1.4× |
| South Dakota | 1,610 | 3.5 | 1.3× |
| Maine | 2,250 | 3.5 | 1.3× |
| Arizona | 10,860 | 3.4 | 1.3× |
| Oklahoma | 5,650 | 3.3 | 1.2× |
| Utah | 5,580 | 3.2 | 1.2× |
| Vermont | 970 | 3.2 | 1.2× |
| Colorado | 8,940 | 3.1 | 1.2× |
| Maryland | 8,560 | 3.1 | 1.2× |
| North Carolina | 15,230 | 3.1 | 1.2× |
| South Carolina | 6,920 | 3.0 | 1.1× |
| Tennessee | 9,740 | 3.0 | 1.1× |
| Nebraska | 3,020 | 3.0 | 1.1× |
| Rhode Island | 1,450 | 2.9 | 1.1× |
| Michigan | 12,590 | 2.9 | 1.1× |
| Louisiana | 5,380 | 2.8 | 1.1× |
| Nevada | 4,170 | 2.7 | 1.0× |
| Indiana | 8,530 | 2.7 | 1.0× |
| Kansas | 3,770 | 2.6 | 1.0× |
| Pennsylvania | 15,880 | 2.6 | 1.0× |
| Kentucky | 5,100 | 2.5 | 1.0× |
| Ohio | 14,150 | 2.5 | 1.0× |
| New York | 24,430 | 2.5 | 1.0× |
| Georgia | 12,290 | 2.5 | 0.9× |
| Texas | 34,730 | 2.5 | 0.9× |
| Iowa | 3,840 | 2.5 | 0.9× |
| Missouri | 7,220 | 2.5 | 0.9× |
| Wyoming | 690 | 2.5 | 0.9× |
| New Jersey | 10,330 | 2.4 | 0.9× |
| Montana | 1,230 | 2.4 | 0.9× |
| West Virginia | 1,690 | 2.4 | 0.9× |
| Mississippi | 2,700 | 2.3 | 0.9× |
| Massachusetts | 8,200 | 2.2 | 0.9× |
| Wisconsin | 6,630 | 2.2 | 0.9× |
| Connecticut | 3,800 | 2.2 | 0.8× |
| New Mexico | 1,950 | 2.2 | 0.8× |
| North Dakota | 970 | 2.2 | 0.8× |
| Hawaii | 1,300 | 2.1 | 0.8× |
| Washington | 7,370 | 2.1 | 0.8× |
| Oregon | 3,980 | 2.0 | 0.8× |
| California | 35,130 | 1.9 | 0.7× |
| Alaska | 610 | 1.9 | 0.7× |
| Illinois | 9,740 | 1.6 | 0.6× |
| Minnesota | 4,200 | 1.4 | 0.5× |
| District of Columbia | 400 | 0.6 | 0.2× |
Metros with the most HVAC technician jobs
| Metro | Jobs | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 21,820 | $37.50 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 10,910 | $28.63 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 10,720 | $35.49 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 9,140 | $27.90 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 8,730 | $34.58 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 8,610 | $31.05 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 8,070 | $29.41 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 7,680 | $28.34 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 7,210 | $37.48 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 7,060 | $28.35 |
Highest-paying metros for HVAC technicians
| Metro | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | 90th pct | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $39.45 | $35.73 | #3 | $65.70 | 1,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38.51 | $34.66 | #10 | $62.21 | 3,940 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $38.23 | $35.46 | #6 | $58.94 | 560 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $37.75 | $34.86 | #8 | $49.54 | 6,050 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $37.73 | $32.64 | #22 | $62.20 | 3,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37.50 | $33.30 | #14 | $52.30 | 21,820 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $37.48 | $36.18 | #2 | $56.70 | 7,210 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $37.25 | $34.85 | #9 | $48.25 | 1,050 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $37.25 | $35.54 | #5 | $48.39 | 2,420 |
| New Haven, CT | $36.96 | $35.33 | #7 | $49.01 | 550 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $36.63 | $35.67 | #4 | $48.29 | 1,320 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $36.38 | $36.34 | #1 | $52.51 | 520 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $36.00 | $32.17 | #28 | $54.80 | 3,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $35.49 | $31.24 | #45 | $52.41 | 10,720 |
| Worcester, MA | $35.48 | $34.61 | #11 | $46.54 | 800 |
Metros with at least 500 HVAC technicians. Cost-of-living adjustment divides the median by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100); the adjusted rank is among the 131 metros with a parity.
Union scale and prevailing wage for HVAC technicians
Federal construction projects must pay the Davis-Bacon rate for each county. Where the rate comes from a union contract it is the local journeyman scale: base wage plus fringe (health, pension, training). Where it comes from a survey, it is often older and lower. This table summarises the Building-construction determination for HVAC technicians in every state.
| State | Counties with a union rate | Typical union package (base + fringe, $/hr) | Typical survey rate | Counties with a rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 100% | $86.43 | — | 1/8 |
| Ohio | 43% | $83.56 | $42.03 | 47/88 |
| New York | 80% | $79.37 | $55.14 | 5/62 |
| Oregon | 100% | $78.16 | — | 1/36 |
| Pennsylvania | 71% | $77.32 | $42.66 | 31/67 |
| Iowa | 100% | $68.45 | — | 38/99 |
| Kansas | 96% | $65.84 | $62.17 | 92/105 |
| Idaho | 11% | $62.79 | $30.26 | 9/44 |
| Michigan | 90% | $60.50 | $19.50 | 60/83 |
| Georgia | 47% | $58.19 | $20.94 | 62/159 |
| Tennessee | 29% | $55.10 | $18.79 | 31/95 |
| Texas | 32% | $53.80 | $14.98 | 71/254 |
| Oklahoma | 65% | $52.68 | $28.10 | 17/77 |
| Florida | 33% | $49.05 | $19.49 | 6/67 |
| Alabama | 0% | — | $22.62 | 17/67 |
| Arkansas | 0% | — | $22.30 | 19/75 |
| Colorado | 0% | — | $33.47 | 6/64 |
| Kentucky | 0% | — | $46.57 | 21/120 |
| Maryland | 0% | — | $73.71 | 24/24 |
| North Carolina | 0% | — | $18.01 | 54/100 |
| North Dakota | 0% | — | $37.08 | 35/53 |
| Nevada | 0% | — | $74.14 | 17/17 |
| South Carolina | 0% | — | $21.64 | 20/46 |
| Virginia | 0% | — | $23.53 | 17/133 |
Source: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions, Building construction type. Not the official determination; see each state page for county detail and links to the official text.
Job outlook
The BLS Employment Projections program expects the number of HVAC technicians to change by +10.9% over 2025-35, from 440,900 to 489,100, with about 40,600 openings a year.
Of those openings, 4,900 a year come from growth in the number of jobs and 35,700 from replacement: 12,300 for people who retire or leave the workforce and 23,400 for people who move to another occupation.
Demand change, sourcing change - share increases as demand for energy efficient heating and cooling systems continues to grow, but overall growth is moderated slightly by maintenance and repair contracts for data centers shifting to other industries.
BLS worker characteristics, 2025-35: typical education for entry: postsecondary nondegree award; related work experience: none; on-the-job training: long-term on-the-job training. The Occupational Outlook Handbook entry describes the work.
What each state projects
State labor market agencies publish their own projections on a 2024–2034 cycle. Colorado projects the fastest growth for HVAC technicians at +28.3%; by openings, Florida (4,430 a year), California (3,770 a year), Texas (3,350 a year) lead. 51 states publish a figure for this occupation.
| State | Jobs, 2024 | Projected, 2034 | Change | Openings per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 9,440 | 12,110 | +28.3% | 1,120 |
| Idaho | 8,500 | 10,870 | +28.0% | 1,040 |
| Arizona | 11,460 | 14,600 | +27.3% | 1,390 |
| Wyoming | 610 | 770 | +26.3% | 70 |
| Utah | 5,620 | 6,820 | +21.3% | 640 |
| Tennessee | 10,780 | 13,020 | +20.7% | 1,210 |
| Florida | 40,700 | 48,180 | +18.4% | 4,430 |
| West Virginia | 1,740 | 2,030 | +16.8% | 180 |
| Montana | 1,310 | 1,520 | +16.3% | 140 |
| Delaware | 1,880 | 2,170 | +15.7% | 200 |
| Georgia | 12,490 | 14,340 | +14.8% | 1,290 |
| Oregon | 3,890 | 4,460 | +14.7% | 400 |
| Nevada | 4,390 | 5,020 | +14.3% | 450 |
| Nebraska | 3,260 | 3,720 | +14.2% | 330 |
| South Dakota | 1,210 | 1,370 | +13.8% | 120 |
| Mississippi | 3,170 | 3,600 | +13.7% | 320 |
| Wisconsin | 6,270 | 7,120 | +13.5% | 640 |
| Arkansas | 5,120 | 5,790 | +13.1% | 520 |
| Texas | 33,120 | 37,440 | +13.0% | 3,350 |
| California | 37,400 | 42,200 | +12.8% | 3,770 |
| Rhode Island | 1,420 | 1,600 | +12.8% | 140 |
| North Dakota | 1,170 | 1,310 | +12.4% | 120 |
| Iowa | 3,710 | 4,130 | +11.2% | 370 |
| Minnesota | 5,490 | 6,100 | +11.1% | 540 |
| Washington | 8,570 | 9,480 | +10.6% | 930 |
| Alabama | 8,000 | 8,810 | +10.2% | 780 |
| New Mexico | 1,930 | 2,120 | +10.0% | 190 |
| Massachusetts | 8,220 | 9,030 | +9.9% | 800 |
| South Carolina | 7,590 | 8,340 | +9.9% | 740 |
| Indiana | 8,220 | 9,020 | +9.8% | 790 |
| New Jersey | 11,290 | 12,380 | +9.7% | 1,090 |
| North Carolina | 14,550 | 15,900 | +9.3% | 1,400 |
| Virginia | 14,660 | 16,020 | +9.3% | 1,410 |
| Maryland | 9,130 | 9,970 | +9.2% | 880 |
| Illinois | 8,650 | 9,420 | +8.9% | 820 |
| Kansas | 4,360 | 4,740 | +8.6% | 420 |
| Oklahoma | 5,140 | 5,560 | +8.2% | 480 |
| Louisiana | 5,390 | 5,800 | +7.6% | 500 |
| Ohio | 14,620 | 15,690 | +7.4% | 1,360 |
| Connecticut | 4,730 | 5,080 | +7.3% | 440 |
| Hawaii | 1,200 | 1,280 | +7.2% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | 380 | 410 | +6.8% | 40 |
| New Hampshire | 2,200 | 2,350 | +6.7% | 200 |
| Michigan | 14,780 | 15,750 | +6.6% | 1,360 |
| Vermont | 1,280 | 1,370 | +6.5% | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | 17,890 | 19,030 | +6.4% | 1,640 |
| Missouri | 6,510 | 6,840 | +5.1% | 580 |
| Kentucky | 6,560 | 6,820 | +4.1% | 580 |
| Maine | 2,270 | 2,300 | +1.7% | 190 |
| New York | 24,210 | 24,590 | +1.6% | 2,060 |
| Alaska | 430 | 420 | -0.5% | 40 |
Source: state labor market information agencies via Projections Central, 2024–2034 projections. State base counts include the self-employed, so they run higher than the BLS survey count above.
Compare HVAC technician pay with other trades
Questions this page answers
How much do HVAC technicians make an hour?
Hourly pay runs from about $19.25 at the 10th percentile to $45.78 at the 90th, with a median of $29.33. Overtime, per-diem and union fringe benefits are not included in these figures.
What does a starting or apprentice HVAC technician make?
Entry-level pay sits near the bottom of the distribution: roughly $19.25 to $23.25 an hour ($40,050 to $48,360 a year). Registered apprentices usually start at a fixed percentage of the local journeyman rate and step up every six to twelve months.
Which state pays HVAC technicians the most?
District of Columbia had the highest median at $40.57 an hour in May 2025, followed by Alaska ($37.23) and Illinois ($37.21). Adjusted for cost of living the order changes; see the state table.
Are HVAC technician wages going up?
In today's dollars the median HVAC technician wage changed by -0.4% over the last ten years of data (CPI-adjusted). The nominal median rose from $21.69 to $29.33.
Is HVAC technician a good career?
By the numbers: median pay of $61,010 a year, a 90th percentile of $95,210, projected growth of +10.9% and about 40,600 openings a year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself; this site only reports the pay and demand data.
Are HVAC technician jobs growing?
The BLS employer survey counted 409,670 HVAC technicians in May 2025, +49.1% compared with ten years earlier and +19.8% since 2019. Looking ahead, BLS projects +10.9% growth over 2025-35 with about 40,600 openings a year, most of them replacing people who leave the occupation.
Which states will need the most HVAC technicians?
By projected annual openings, the state agencies' figures put Florida (4,430 a year, +18.4% growth), California (3,770 a year, +12.8% growth), Texas (3,350 a year, +13.0% growth) at the top. Every state's projection is in the outlook table above.
Where are HVAC technicians most concentrated?
Relative to the size of each state's workforce, Idaho has the highest concentration at 2.0× the national share, then Florida (1.5×) and Alabama (1.5×). The largest absolute job counts are usually in the most populous states; see the map above.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 49-9021 (HVAC and refrigeration technicians). Wages exclude overtime and benefits; job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U annual averages, 2025 base.
- Cost-of-living adjustment: BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, 2024.
- Prevailing wage: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35 (Tables 1.2, 1.10 and 1.12). Public-domain data; Skilled Wages is not affiliated with BLS.
- State projections: state labor market information agencies via Projections Central (Projections Managing Partnership), 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05. State figures include the self-employed.