HVAC technician salary in Arkansas
Median $23.13 an hour for 4,960 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 Arkansas: the full range
Arkansas ranks 51st of 51 states for median HVAC technician pay, and 47th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.62). 4,960 HVAC technicians work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.9× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $17.81 – $20.59 | $37,040 – $42,830 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $20.59 – $28.73 | $42,830 – $59,760 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $28.73 – $33.31 | $59,760 – $69,290 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
HVAC technician pay by metro in Arkansas
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $18.67 | $27.30 | $29.61 | $42.14 | 1,740 | 18% above |
| Fayetteville | $18.42 | $25.78 | $28.21 | $35.87 | 1,240 | 11% above |
| Fort Smith | $17.32 | $23.16 | $26.96 | $30.98 | 410 | about the same as |
| Little Rock | $17.65 | $23.08 | $25.82 | $30.46 | 1,470 | about the same as |
| Texarkana | $17.86 | $22.96 | $27.33 | $34.41 | 130 | 1% below |
| Jonesboro | $18.28 | $22.71 | $26.44 | $30.50 | 170 | 2% below |
| Hot Springs | $17.56 | $22.42 | $26.16 | $31.53 | 150 | 3% below |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
HVAC technician wages in Arkansas over time
Table
| Year | Arkansas $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $11.67 | $22.55 | $14.50 | 1,620 |
| 2000 | $13.35 | $24.96 | $15.76 | 1,810 |
| 2001 | $13.56 | $24.65 | $16.35 | 2,060 |
| 2002 | $13.71 | $24.53 | $16.78 | 1,940 |
| 2003 | $14.01 | $24.51 | $16.90 | 2,080 |
| 2004 | $13.23 | $22.55 | $17.43 | 2,350 |
| 2005 | $14.19 | $23.39 | $17.81 | 2,240 |
| 2006 | $14.50 | $23.16 | $18.11 | 1,990 |
| 2007 | $15.47 | $24.02 | $18.44 | 1,950 |
| 2008 | $16.31 | $24.39 | $19.08 | 2,230 |
| 2009 | $16.74 | $25.12 | $19.76 | 2,560 |
| 2010 | $16.91 | $24.97 | $20.45 | 2,360 |
| 2011 | $17.19 | $24.60 | $20.86 | 2,090 |
| 2012 | $17.17 | $24.08 | $20.98 | 2,170 |
| 2013 | $17.09 | $23.62 | $21.10 | 2,040 |
| 2014 | $16.97 | $23.08 | $21.46 | 2,360 |
| 2015 | $17.01 | $23.10 | $21.69 | 2,510 |
| 2016 | $17.26 | $23.15 | $22.07 | 2,790 |
| 2017 | $17.72 | $23.27 | $22.64 | 2,680 |
| 2018 | $18.89 | $24.22 | $22.89 | 2,730 |
| 2019 | $18.88 | $23.78 | $23.43 | 2,810 |
| 2020 | $19.77 | $24.59 | $24.32 | 3,090 |
| 2021 | $18.48 | $21.96 | $23.38 | 3,560 |
| 2022 | $21.99 | $24.19 | $24.71 | 3,610 |
| 2023 | $22.90 | $24.20 | $27.55 | 3,830 |
| 2024 | $22.71 | $23.31 | $28.75 | 4,890 |
| 2025 | $23.13 | $23.13 | $29.33 | 4,960 |
In today's dollars, the median HVAC technician wage in Arkansas changed by +0.1% over the last ten years of data and by -2.7% since 2019.
Are there more HVAC technician jobs in Arkansas?
Since 1999, the number of HVAC technicians counted in Arkansas has changed by +206.2%, against +118.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +76.5%.
Table
| Year | Arkansas jobs | Arkansas index | US index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1,620 | 100 | 100 |
| 2000 | 1,810 | 112 | 105 |
| 2001 | 2,060 | 127 | 108 |
| 2002 | 1,940 | 120 | 110 |
| 2003 | 2,080 | 128 | 113 |
| 2004 | 2,350 | 145 | 120 |
| 2005 | 2,240 | 138 | 128 |
| 2006 | 1,990 | 123 | 134 |
| 2007 | 1,950 | 120 | 140 |
| 2008 | 2,230 | 138 | 139 |
| 2009 | 2,560 | 158 | 130 |
| 2010 | 2,360 | 146 | 119 |
| 2011 | 2,090 | 129 | 123 |
| 2012 | 2,170 | 134 | 128 |
| 2013 | 2,040 | 126 | 134 |
| 2014 | 2,360 | 146 | 139 |
| 2015 | 2,510 | 155 | 146 |
| 2016 | 2,790 | 172 | 157 |
| 2017 | 2,680 | 165 | 164 |
| 2018 | 2,730 | 168 | 173 |
| 2019 | 2,810 | 174 | 182 |
| 2020 | 3,090 | 191 | 183 |
| 2021 | 3,560 | 220 | 190 |
| 2022 | 3,610 | 223 | 200 |
| 2023 | 3,830 | 236 | 212 |
| 2024 | 4,890 | 302 | 211 |
| 2025 | 4,960 | 306 | 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 Arkansas
Arkansas's labor market agency projects the number of HVAC technicians in the state to change by +13.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 5,120 to 5,790, with about 520 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 4,960 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Arkansas labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for HVAC technicians in Arkansas
On federally funded construction in Arkansas, contractors must pay HVAC technicians at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 19 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $22.30). 19 of the 19 counties still use a survey rate dated 2017 or earlier (for example Baxter County at $22.30). The market median for the state is $23.13.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Spring | Survey SUAR2015-003 2017-01-09 | $20.06 | $6.75 | $26.81 | AR20260006 |
| Nevada | Survey SUAR2015-006 2017-01-09 | $20.06 | $6.75 | $26.81 | AR20260009 |
| Union | Survey SUAR2015-010 2017-01-09 | $20.06 | $6.75 | $26.81 | AR20260013 |
| Benton | Survey SUAR2015-020 2017-01-09 | $20.96 | $2.72 | $23.68 | AR20260023 |
| Baxter | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Boone | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Carroll | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Conway | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Franklin | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Johnson | Survey SUAR2015-005 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260008 |
| Logan | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Marion | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Newton | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Polk | Survey SUAR2015-007 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260010 |
| Pope | Survey SUAR2015-008 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260011 |
| Scott | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Searcy | Survey SUAR2015-016 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260019 |
| Van Buren | Survey SUAR2015-011 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260014 |
| Yell | Survey SUAR2015-014 2017-01-09 | $17.27 | $5.03 | $22.30 | AR20260017 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Arkansas prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Arkansas?
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 60 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 28,946 in 2015 to 39,465 in 2025, +36.3%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | 14 | 222 | $99,027 | $1,904 |
| Washington County | 121 | 1,777 | $71,231 | $1,370 |
| Pope County | 29 | 165 | $71,218 | $1,370 |
| Pulaski County | 149 | 1,608 | $67,286 | $1,294 |
| Benton County | 143 | 1,204 | $63,808 | $1,227 |
| Saline County | 80 | 790 | $60,490 | $1,163 |
| Independence County | 14 | 218 | $59,914 | $1,152 |
| Crawford County | 29 | 230 | $58,705 | $1,129 |
| Lonoke County | 44 | 365 | $57,889 | $1,113 |
| Sebastian County | 50 | 643 | $57,425 | $1,104 |
| Grant County | 9 | 76 | $56,782 | $1,092 |
| Marion County | 10 | 28 | $54,922 | $1,056 |
| Miller County | 17 | 99 | $53,651 | $1,032 |
| Cross County | 9 | 66 | $53,610 | $1,031 |
| Faulkner County | 52 | 642 | $52,945 | $1,018 |
| Sharp County | 5 | 99 | $52,378 | $1,007 |
| Garland County | 76 | 373 | $48,551 | $934 |
| Boone County | 14 | 92 | $48,522 | $933 |
| White County | 31 | 117 | $48,272 | $928 |
| St. Francis County | 8 | 56 | $47,853 | $920 |
| Ouachita County | 10 | 47 | $47,252 | $909 |
| Jefferson County | 26 | 117 | $47,087 | $906 |
| Columbia County | 8 | 36 | $47,072 | $905 |
| Cleburne County | 16 | 76 | $46,722 | $898 |
| Van Buren County | 7 | 22 | $44,755 | $861 |
| Conway County | 10 | 73 | $43,883 | $844 |
| Arkansas County | 4 | 19 | $42,153 | $811 |
| Carroll County | 11 | 54 | $40,356 | $776 |
| Polk County | 7 | 24 | $40,195 | $773 |
| Calhoun County | 5 | 8 | $36,455 | $701 |
| Pike County | 4 | 18 | $30,039 | $578 |
Keep comparing
HVAC technician pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Arkansas
More on Arkansas
Questions this page answers
How much do HVAC technicians make in Arkansas?
The median HVAC technician in Arkansas earned $23.13 an hour ($48,110 a year) in May 2025, 21% below the national median of $29.33. The middle half earn $20.59–$28.73; the top 10% earn more than $33.31.
Where does Arkansas rank for HVAC technician pay?
Arkansas ranks 51st of 51 states for HVAC technician pay, with a median of $23.13 an hour, and 47th after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (BEA price parity 86.9, US = 100).
What is the union HVAC technician rate in Arkansas?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a HVAC technician classification for most Arkansas counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many HVAC technicians work in Arkansas?
BLS counted 4,960 HVAC technicians in Arkansas in May 2025, 3.8 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.44; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is HVAC technician work growing in Arkansas?
The BLS employer survey count of HVAC technicians in Arkansas went from 2,510 in 2015 to 4,960 in 2025, +97.6%, and +76.5% since 2019. Arkansas's labor market agency projects +13.1% growth for HVAC technicians between 2024 and 2034, from 5,120 to 5,790 jobs.
How many HVAC technician openings a year are there in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects about 520 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, Arkansas 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: Arkansas labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.