HVAC technician salary in Idaho
Median $27.04 an hour for 4,550 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 Idaho: the full range
Idaho ranks 44th of 51 states for median HVAC technician pay, and 44th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $28.31). 4,550 HVAC technicians work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.1× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $18.59 – $22.71 | $38,660 – $47,250 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $22.71 – $32.23 | $47,250 – $67,030 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $32.23 – $38.84 | $67,030 – $80,780 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
HVAC technician pay by metro in Idaho
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene | $20.88 | $28.27 | $28.76 | $39.37 | 570 | 5% above |
| Boise | $19.72 | $27.53 | $27.98 | $38.72 | 2,270 | 2% above |
| Logan | $18.41 | $26.65 | $27.79 | $36.12 | 230 | 1% below |
| Twin Falls | $18.07 | $24.56 | $26.67 | $36.80 | 260 | 9% below |
| Pocatello | $17.88 | $24.49 | $27.55 | $39.22 | 190 | 9% below |
| Lewiston | $18.01 | $23.98 | $26.29 | $34.73 | 100 | 11% below |
| Idaho Falls | $18.18 | $23.65 | $25.05 | $38.81 | 390 | 13% below |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
HVAC technician wages in Idaho over time
Table
| Year | Idaho $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $15.04 | $29.06 | $14.50 | — |
| 2000 | $15.74 | $29.43 | $15.76 | 440 |
| 2001 | $14.98 | $27.23 | $16.35 | 900 |
| 2002 | $12.91 | $23.10 | $16.78 | 890 |
| 2003 | $14.70 | $25.72 | $16.90 | 990 |
| 2004 | $16.56 | $28.22 | $17.43 | 1,560 |
| 2005 | $16.14 | $26.61 | $17.81 | 1,340 |
| 2006 | $17.14 | $27.37 | $18.11 | 1,240 |
| 2007 | $16.83 | $26.13 | $18.44 | 1,290 |
| 2008 | $16.86 | $25.21 | $19.08 | 1,260 |
| 2009 | $16.44 | $24.67 | $19.76 | 1,080 |
| 2010 | $16.81 | $24.82 | $20.45 | 1,170 |
| 2011 | $17.38 | $24.88 | $20.86 | 1,190 |
| 2012 | $17.56 | $24.62 | $20.98 | 1,290 |
| 2013 | $17.25 | $23.84 | $21.10 | 1,260 |
| 2014 | $17.36 | $23.61 | $21.46 | 1,260 |
| 2015 | $17.89 | $24.30 | $21.69 | 1,460 |
| 2016 | $19.13 | $25.66 | $22.07 | 1,880 |
| 2017 | $19.86 | $26.08 | $22.64 | 2,010 |
| 2018 | $20.00 | $25.64 | $22.89 | 2,660 |
| 2019 | $20.65 | $26.00 | $23.43 | 2,670 |
| 2020 | $20.73 | $25.79 | $24.32 | 3,200 |
| 2021 | $22.58 | $26.83 | $23.38 | 3,760 |
| 2022 | $23.23 | $25.55 | $24.71 | 3,110 |
| 2023 | $22.84 | $24.13 | $27.55 | 3,280 |
| 2024 | $25.35 | $26.02 | $28.75 | 3,570 |
| 2025 | $27.04 | $27.04 | $29.33 | 4,550 |
In today's dollars, the median HVAC technician wage in Idaho changed by +11.3% over the last ten years of data and by +4.0% since 2019.
Are there more HVAC technician jobs in Idaho?
Since 2000, the number of HVAC technicians counted in Idaho has changed by +934.1%, against +107.0% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +70.4%.
Table
| Year | Idaho jobs | Idaho index | US index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 440 | 100 | 100 |
| 2001 | 900 | 204 | 102 |
| 2002 | 890 | 202 | 104 |
| 2003 | 990 | 225 | 107 |
| 2004 | 1,560 | 354 | 114 |
| 2005 | 1,340 | 304 | 122 |
| 2006 | 1,240 | 282 | 127 |
| 2007 | 1,290 | 293 | 133 |
| 2008 | 1,260 | 286 | 132 |
| 2009 | 1,080 | 246 | 124 |
| 2010 | 1,170 | 266 | 113 |
| 2011 | 1,190 | 270 | 117 |
| 2012 | 1,290 | 293 | 122 |
| 2013 | 1,260 | 286 | 127 |
| 2014 | 1,260 | 286 | 132 |
| 2015 | 1,460 | 332 | 139 |
| 2016 | 1,880 | 427 | 149 |
| 2017 | 2,010 | 457 | 155 |
| 2018 | 2,660 | 604 | 164 |
| 2019 | 2,670 | 607 | 173 |
| 2020 | 3,200 | 727 | 174 |
| 2021 | 3,760 | 854 | 180 |
| 2022 | 3,110 | 707 | 189 |
| 2023 | 3,280 | 746 | 201 |
| 2024 | 3,570 | 811 | 200 |
| 2025 | 4,550 | 1034 | 207 |
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 Idaho
Idaho's labor market agency projects the number of HVAC technicians in the state to change by +28.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 8,500 to 10,870, with about 1,040 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 4,550 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Idaho labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for HVAC technicians in Idaho
On federally funded construction in Idaho, contractors must pay HVAC technicians at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 1 of the 9 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $62.79 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $30.26). 8 of the 9 counties still use a survey rate dated 2012 or earlier (for example Blaine County at $30.26). The market median for the state is $27.04.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owyhee | Union SHEE0055-007 2025-06-01 | $39.20 | $23.59 | $62.79 | ID20260103 |
| Blaine | Survey SUID2010-002 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260009 |
| Camas | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260022 |
| Cassia | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260022 |
| Gooding | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260022 |
| Jerome | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260022 |
| Lincoln | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260022 |
| Minidoka | Survey SUID2010-010 2012-08-08 | $23.63 | $6.63 | $30.26 | ID20260017 |
| Twin Falls | Survey SUID2010-012 2012-08-08 | $21.00 | $0.40 | $21.40 | ID20260019 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Idaho prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Idaho?
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 36 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 22,844 in 2015 to 45,763 in 2025, +100.3%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | 244 | 3,803 | $83,228 | $1,601 |
| Twin Falls County | 52 | 482 | $78,263 | $1,505 |
| Blaine County | 29 | 268 | $77,204 | $1,485 |
| Bannock County | 49 | 378 | $74,425 | $1,431 |
| Bonneville County | 79 | 785 | $70,656 | $1,359 |
| Kootenai County | 139 | 1,104 | $69,033 | $1,328 |
| Nez Perce County | 17 | 195 | $66,384 | $1,277 |
| Canyon County | 162 | 1,712 | $66,295 | $1,275 |
| Bingham County | 20 | 273 | $66,209 | $1,273 |
| Franklin County | 11 | 45 | $65,743 | $1,264 |
| Teton County | 7 | 80 | $65,671 | $1,263 |
| Gooding County | 5 | 11 | $62,064 | $1,194 |
| Gem County | 21 | 75 | $61,277 | $1,178 |
| Valley County | 12 | 22 | $61,047 | $1,174 |
| Payette County | 10 | 41 | $59,716 | $1,148 |
| Madison County | 20 | 76 | $54,422 | $1,047 |
| Idaho County | 7 | 24 | $50,423 | $970 |
| Owyhee County | 3 | 14 | $47,113 | $906 |
| Fremont County | 8 | 53 | $45,652 | $878 |
Keep comparing
HVAC technician pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Idaho
More on Idaho
Questions this page answers
How much do HVAC technicians make in Idaho?
The median HVAC technician in Idaho earned $27.04 an hour ($56,240 a year) in May 2025, 8% below the national median of $29.33. The middle half earn $22.71–$32.23; the top 10% earn more than $38.84.
Where does Idaho rank for HVAC technician pay?
Idaho ranks 44th of 51 states for HVAC technician pay, with a median of $27.04 an hour, and 44th after adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (BEA price parity 95.5, US = 100).
What is the union HVAC technician rate in Idaho?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for HVAC technicians in 1 counties, with a typical package of $62.79 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many HVAC technicians work in Idaho?
BLS counted 4,550 HVAC technicians in Idaho in May 2025, 5.3 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 2.02; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is HVAC technician work growing in Idaho?
The BLS employer survey count of HVAC technicians in Idaho went from 1,460 in 2015 to 4,550 in 2025, +211.6%, and +70.4% since 2019. Idaho's labor market agency projects +28.0% growth for HVAC technicians between 2024 and 2034, from 8,500 to 10,870 jobs.
How many HVAC technician openings a year are there in Idaho?
Idaho projects about 1,040 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, Idaho 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 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Idaho labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.