HVAC technician salary in Alabama
Median $23.26 an hour for 8,260 HVAC technicians, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
HVAC technician pay in Alabama: the full range
Alabama ranks 50th of 51 states for median HVAC technician pay, and 51st once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.19). 8,260 HVAC technicians work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.8× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $17.56 – $19.39 | $36,510 – $40,340 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $19.39 – $28.86 | $40,340 – $60,020 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $28.86 – $31.58 | $60,020 – $65,690 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
HVAC technician pay by metro in Alabama
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $18.07 | $24.01 | $25.79 | $35.11 | 770 | 3% above |
| Gadsden | $16.52 | $23.70 | $27.65 | $34.18 | 120 | 2% above |
| Decatur | $17.71 | $23.44 | $26.88 | $36.37 | 330 | 1% above |
| Birmingham | $18.00 | $23.43 | $25.58 | $33.57 | 2,370 | 1% above |
| Montgomery | $17.25 | $23.40 | $26.09 | $31.71 | 540 | 1% above |
| Tuscaloosa | $17.21 | $23.29 | $26.56 | $29.70 | 450 | about the same as |
| Auburn | $17.37 | $23.16 | $26.35 | $30.92 | 260 | about the same as |
| Mobile | $17.41 | $23.06 | $26.17 | $34.00 | 820 | 1% below |
| Anniston | $16.77 | $22.97 | $26.74 | $31.21 | 130 | 1% below |
| Daphne | $17.26 | $22.54 | $23.80 | $29.61 | 540 | 3% below |
| Columbus | $16.19 | $22.49 | $25.18 | $31.82 | 330 | 3% below |
| Florence | $16.91 | $22.38 | $26.39 | $29.70 | 250 | 4% below |
| Dothan | $16.94 | $22.22 | $26.52 | $29.67 | 250 | 4% below |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
HVAC technician wages in Alabama over time
Table
| Year | Alabama $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $11.70 | $22.61 | $14.50 | 2,940 |
| 2000 | $13.42 | $25.09 | $15.76 | 4,520 |
| 2001 | $13.47 | $24.49 | $16.35 | 4,400 |
| 2002 | $14.42 | $25.81 | $16.78 | 4,680 |
| 2003 | $14.20 | $24.85 | $16.90 | 5,010 |
| 2004 | $14.24 | $24.27 | $17.43 | 4,260 |
| 2005 | $14.50 | $23.90 | $17.81 | 4,000 |
| 2006 | $14.18 | $22.64 | $18.11 | 4,020 |
| 2007 | $14.87 | $23.09 | $18.44 | 4,100 |
| 2008 | $15.41 | $23.04 | $19.08 | 4,290 |
| 2009 | $16.03 | $24.06 | $19.76 | 4,060 |
| 2010 | $17.03 | $25.14 | $20.45 | 3,790 |
| 2011 | $17.55 | $25.12 | $20.86 | 4,350 |
| 2012 | $18.07 | $25.34 | $20.98 | 4,510 |
| 2013 | $17.92 | $24.77 | $21.10 | 4,440 |
| 2014 | $18.04 | $24.53 | $21.46 | 4,240 |
| 2015 | $17.73 | $24.08 | $21.69 | 4,660 |
| 2016 | $18.09 | $24.27 | $22.07 | 5,190 |
| 2017 | $18.68 | $24.53 | $22.64 | 5,040 |
| 2018 | $19.10 | $24.49 | $22.89 | 5,520 |
| 2019 | $19.87 | $25.02 | $23.43 | 6,430 |
| 2020 | $20.52 | $25.53 | $24.32 | 6,740 |
| 2021 | $22.57 | $26.82 | $23.38 | 5,700 |
| 2022 | $22.34 | $24.58 | $24.71 | 5,920 |
| 2023 | $22.62 | $23.90 | $27.55 | 6,900 |
| 2024 | $23.70 | $24.32 | $28.75 | 7,330 |
| 2025 | $23.26 | $23.26 | $29.33 | 8,260 |
In today's dollars, the median HVAC technician wage in Alabama changed by -3.4% over the last ten years of data and by -7.0% since 2019.
Are there more HVAC technician jobs in Alabama?
Since 1999, the number of HVAC technicians counted in Alabama has changed by +181.0%, against +118.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +28.5%.
Table
| Year | Alabama jobs | Alabama index | US index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2,940 | 100 | 100 |
| 2000 | 4,520 | 154 | 105 |
| 2001 | 4,400 | 150 | 108 |
| 2002 | 4,680 | 159 | 110 |
| 2003 | 5,010 | 170 | 113 |
| 2004 | 4,260 | 145 | 120 |
| 2005 | 4,000 | 136 | 128 |
| 2006 | 4,020 | 137 | 134 |
| 2007 | 4,100 | 140 | 140 |
| 2008 | 4,290 | 146 | 139 |
| 2009 | 4,060 | 138 | 130 |
| 2010 | 3,790 | 129 | 119 |
| 2011 | 4,350 | 148 | 123 |
| 2012 | 4,510 | 153 | 128 |
| 2013 | 4,440 | 151 | 134 |
| 2014 | 4,240 | 144 | 139 |
| 2015 | 4,660 | 158 | 146 |
| 2016 | 5,190 | 176 | 157 |
| 2017 | 5,040 | 171 | 164 |
| 2018 | 5,520 | 188 | 173 |
| 2019 | 6,430 | 219 | 182 |
| 2020 | 6,740 | 229 | 183 |
| 2021 | 5,700 | 194 | 190 |
| 2022 | 5,920 | 201 | 200 |
| 2023 | 6,900 | 235 | 212 |
| 2024 | 7,330 | 249 | 211 |
| 2025 | 8,260 | 281 | 218 |
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.
Outlook for HVAC technicians in Alabama
Alabama's labor market agency projects the number of HVAC technicians in the state to change by +10.2% between 2024 and 2034, from 8,000 to 8,810, with about 780 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed and use a different base year, so they do not match the 8,260 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Alabama labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for HVAC technicians in Alabama
On federally funded construction in Alabama, contractors must pay HVAC technicians at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 17 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $22.62). 17 of the 17 counties still use a survey rate dated 2017 or earlier (for example Chambers County at $22.62). The market median for the state is $23.26.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambers | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Cherokee | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Clay | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Cleburne | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Coosa | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Cullman | Survey SUAL2015-002 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260074 |
| DeKalb | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Fayette | Survey SUAL2015-009 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260081 |
| Franklin | Survey SUAL2015-009 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260081 |
| Jackson | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Lamar | Survey SUAL2015-009 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260081 |
| Marion | Survey SUAL2015-009 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260081 |
| Marshall | Survey SUAL2015-004 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260076 |
| Randolph | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Talladega | Survey SUAL2015-005 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260077 |
| Tallapoosa | Survey SUAL2015-007 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260079 |
| Winston | Survey SUAL2015-009 2017-08-02 | $20.50 | $2.12 | $22.62 | AL20260081 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Alabama prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Alabama?
Contractor pay by county
Average pay at plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just HVAC technicians), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 57 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 44,698 in 2015 to 62,190 in 2025, +39.1%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 281 | 3,486 | $82,619 | $1,589 |
| Montgomery County | 66 | 942 | $80,917 | $1,556 |
| Mobile County | 179 | 2,421 | $79,111 | $1,521 |
| Shelby County | 111 | 1,098 | $77,131 | $1,483 |
| Lauderdale County | 39 | 680 | $75,453 | $1,451 |
| Morgan County | 64 | 687 | $74,931 | $1,441 |
| Franklin County | 10 | 40 | $71,058 | $1,366 |
| Madison County | 153 | 1,486 | $70,148 | $1,349 |
| Limestone County | 54 | 512 | $69,230 | $1,331 |
| Hale County | 6 | 122 | $68,934 | $1,326 |
| Elmore County | 46 | 268 | $68,137 | $1,310 |
| Cullman County | 54 | 362 | $64,152 | $1,234 |
| Baldwin County | 154 | 1,149 | $63,803 | $1,227 |
| St. Clair County | 55 | 446 | $63,705 | $1,225 |
| Crenshaw County | 7 | 50 | $62,581 | $1,203 |
| Lawrence County | 14 | 104 | $62,529 | $1,202 |
| Randolph County | 9 | 63 | $58,805 | $1,131 |
| Russell County | 26 | 144 | $58,678 | $1,128 |
| Tuscaloosa County | 69 | 647 | $58,539 | $1,126 |
| Talladega County | 24 | 163 | $55,884 | $1,075 |
| Blount County | 28 | 96 | $53,915 | $1,037 |
| Calhoun County | 42 | 278 | $53,703 | $1,033 |
| Chambers County | 17 | 55 | $53,220 | $1,023 |
| Winston County | 6 | 44 | $52,797 | $1,015 |
| Marengo County | 6 | 32 | $52,126 | $1,002 |
| Dale County | 13 | 74 | $51,920 | $998 |
| Covington County | 8 | 57 | $51,548 | $991 |
| Washington County | 7 | 27 | $50,836 | $978 |
| Jackson County | 27 | 147 | $50,498 | $971 |
| Conecuh County | 5 | 44 | $49,247 | $947 |
| Etowah County | 39 | 245 | $48,681 | $936 |
| Coffee County | 13 | 154 | $47,689 | $917 |
| Bibb County | 8 | 40 | $47,241 | $908 |
| DeKalb County | 16 | 75 | $45,713 | $879 |
| Dallas County | 11 | 78 | $42,140 | $810 |
| Lamar County | 5 | 5 | $21,013 | $404 |
Keep comparing
HVAC technician pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Alabama
More on Alabama
Questions this page answers
How much do HVAC technicians make in Alabama?
The median HVAC technician in Alabama earned $23.26 an hour ($48,370 a year) in May 2025, 21% below the national median of $29.33. The middle half earn $19.39–$28.86; the top 10% earn more than $31.58.
Where does Alabama rank for HVAC technician pay?
Alabama ranks 50th of 51 states for HVAC technician pay, with a median of $23.26 an hour, and 51st after adjusting for Alabama's cost of living (BEA price parity 88.8, US = 100).
What is the union HVAC technician rate in Alabama?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a HVAC technician classification for most Alabama counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many HVAC technicians work in Alabama?
BLS counted 8,260 HVAC technicians in Alabama in May 2025, 3.9 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.48; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is HVAC technician work growing in Alabama?
The BLS employer survey count of HVAC technicians in Alabama went from 4,660 in 2015 to 8,260 in 2025, +77.3%, and +28.5% since 2019. Alabama's labor market agency projects +10.2% growth for HVAC technicians between 2024 and 2034, from 8,000 to 8,810 jobs.
How many HVAC technician openings a year are there in Alabama?
Alabama projects about 780 openings a year for HVAC technicians over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 40,600 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Alabama and metro areas, SOC 49-9021. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Alabama labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.