Skilled Wages

HVAC technician salary in Michigan

Median $29.26 an hour for 12,590 HVAC technicians, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$29.26/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$60,850/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$19.33 – $45.8110th to 90th percentilehourly range
12,590Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

HVAC technician pay in Michigan: the full range

Wage percentiles, MichiganMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50/hrMichigan: 10th $19.33 · 25th $23.09 · median $29.26 · 75th $37.40 · 90th $45.81Michigan$29.26$19.33$45.81United States: 10th $19.25 · 25th $23.25 · median $29.33 · 75th $37.05 · 90th $45.78United States$29.33
Hourly wage percentiles for HVAC technicians: Michigan vs United States, May 2025.

Michigan ranks 25th of 51 states for median HVAC technician pay, and 30th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $30.42). 12,590 HVAC technicians work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.4× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$19.33 – $23.09$40,210 – $48,040roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$23.09 – $37.40$48,040 – $77,780the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$37.40 – $45.81$77,780 – $95,290the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



HVAC technician pay by metro in Michigan

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrAnn Arbor: $36.06Ann Arbor$36.06Detroit: $30.37Detroit$30.37Kalamazoo: $29.46Kalamazoo$29.46Jackson: $29.43Jackson$29.43Traverse City: $29.13Traverse City$29.13Lansing: $29.06Lansing$29.06Grand Rapids: $28.94Grand Rapids$28.94Bay City: $28.93Bay City$28.93Battle Creek: $28.90Battle Creek$28.90Saginaw: $28.88Saginaw$28.88Flint: $28.79Flint$28.79South Bend: $28.59South Bend$28.59
Median hourly wage for HVAC technicians by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Ann Arbor$22.41$36.06$35.74$48.7146023% above
Detroit$20.60$30.37$30.28$45.975,7404% above
Kalamazoo$21.12$29.46$31.08$47.084301% above
Jackson$21.16$29.43$32.06$47.031101% above
Traverse City$18.76$29.13$31.19$43.97210about the same as
Lansing$19.24$29.06$30.59$44.944901% below
Grand Rapids$21.02$28.94$30.30$45.481,9201% below
Bay City$17.33$28.93$31.48$39.10701% below
Battle Creek$19.85$28.90$31.93$35.531301% below
Saginaw$18.65$28.88$31.77$47.242101% below
Flint$18.81$28.79$30.96$45.954302% below
South Bend$18.59$28.59$30.78$46.873702% below
Monroe$18.00$28.53$30.51$45.811302% below
Niles$18.61$27.95$30.25$38.262404% below
Muskegon$18.39$27.19$29.39$37.931807% below
Midland$17.05$27.16$29.55$38.77907% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

HVAC technician wages in Michigan over time

Michigan, 1999-2025MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$29.33United States$29.26Michigan
Median hourly wage for HVAC technicians, Michigan vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMichigan $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$16.08$31.07$14.503,920
2000$17.95$33.56$15.763,950
2001$17.12$31.12$16.355,580
2002$19.38$34.68$16.785,980
2003$20.94$36.64$16.906,600
2004$21.19$36.11$17.438,280
2005$21.23$35.00$17.817,470
2006$21.49$34.32$18.117,060
2007$21.27$33.03$18.447,130
2008$21.83$32.64$19.087,710
2009$21.70$32.56$19.766,820
2010$21.76$32.13$20.455,800
2011$21.56$30.86$20.866,080
2012$21.58$30.26$20.986,140
2013$21.54$29.77$21.106,460
2014$21.46$29.18$21.466,920
2015$21.88$29.72$21.697,900
2016$22.34$29.97$22.078,170
2017$22.85$30.01$22.648,970
2018$22.51$28.86$22.899,100
2019$22.85$28.77$23.439,010
2020$24.08$29.95$24.328,260
2021$23.76$28.23$23.389,480
2022$24.06$26.47$24.719,480
2023$24.55$25.94$27.5510,580
2024$28.89$29.65$28.7513,720
2025$29.26$29.26$29.3312,590

In today's dollars, the median HVAC technician wage in Michigan changed by -1.5% over the last ten years of data and by +1.7% since 2019.

Are there more HVAC technician jobs in Michigan?

+39.7%Jobs since 20199,010 then, 12,590 in 2025
+59.4%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
2.9Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.1× the US share, 21st of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of HVAC technicians counted in Michigan has changed by +221.2%, against +118.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +39.7%.

HVAC and refrigeration technicians in Michigan vs United States, 1999 = 100MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages0100200300400200020052010201520202025321Michigan218United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Michigan vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearMichigan jobsMichigan indexUS index
19993,920100100
20003,950101105
20015,580142108
20025,980153110
20036,600168113
20048,280211120
20057,470191128
20067,060180134
20077,130182140
20087,710197139
20096,820174130
20105,800148119
20116,080155123
20126,140157128
20136,460165134
20146,920176139
20157,900202146
20168,170208157
20178,970229164
20189,100232173
20199,010230182
20208,260211183
20219,480242190
20229,480242200
202310,580270212
202413,720350211
202512,590321218

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 Michigan

+6.6%Projected growth in Michigan2024–2034, state agency
1,360Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
14,780Jobs in 202415,750 projected for 2034
+10.9%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of HVAC technicians in the state to change by +6.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 14,780 to 15,750, with about 1,360 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 12,590 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for HVAC technicians in Michigan

On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay HVAC technicians at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 54 of the 60 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $60.50 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $19.50). 6 of the 60 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Barry County at $19.50). The market median for the state is $29.26.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MIAlcona: $59.74 (union)Alger: $62.12 (union)Allegan: $70.75 (union)Alpena: $59.74 (union)Antrim: $59.74 (union)Arenac: $67.25 (union)Baraga: $62.12 (union)Barry: $19.50 (survey)Bay: n/aBenzie: $59.74 (union)Berrien: n/aBranch: $71.72 (union)Calhoun: n/aCass: n/aCharlevoix: $59.74 (union)Cheboygan: $59.74 (union)Chippewa: $62.12 (union)Clare: $67.25 (union)Clinton: n/aCrawford: $59.74 (union)Delta: $62.12 (union)Dickinson: $61.26 (union)Eaton: n/aEmmet: $59.74 (union)Genesee: n/aGladwin: $67.25 (union)Gogebic: $62.12 (union)Grand Traverse: $59.74 (union)Gratiot: $67.25 (union)Hillsdale: $71.72 (union)Houghton: $62.12 (union)Huron: $71.18 (union)Ingham: n/aIonia: $19.50 (survey)Iosco: $59.74 (union)Iron: $62.12 (union)Isabella: $65.60 (union)Jackson: n/aKalamazoo: n/aKalkaska: $59.74 (union)Kent: $19.50 (survey)Keweenaw: $62.12 (union)Lake: $59.61 (union)Lapeer: n/aLeelanau: $59.74 (union)Lenawee: $65.96 (union)Livingston: n/aLuce: $62.12 (union)Mackinac: $62.12 (union)Macomb: n/aManistee: $57.78 (union)Marquette: $62.12 (union)Mason: n/aMecosta: $59.61 (union)Menominee: $62.12 (union)Midland: $67.25 (union)Missaukee: $59.74 (union)Monroe: n/aMontcalm: $59.61 (union)Montmorency: $59.74 (union)Muskegon: $29.33 (survey)Newaygo: $19.50 (survey)Oakland: n/aOceana: $59.61 (union)Ogemaw: $59.74 (union)Ontonagon: $62.12 (union)Osceola: $59.61 (union)Oscoda: $59.74 (union)Otsego: $59.74 (union)Ottawa: $23.63 (survey)Presque Isle: $59.74 (union)Roscommon: $59.74 (union)Saginaw: n/aSt. Clair: n/aSt. Joseph: $57.47 (union)Sanilac: n/aSchoolcraft: $62.12 (union)Shiawassee: n/aTuscola: $67.25 (union)Van Buren: n/aWashtenaw: n/aWayne: n/aWexford: $59.74 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$59.61$59.74$62.12$62.82n/asurvey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for HVAC technicians by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (union)Prevailing (survey)$20$40$60$80/hrMidland (Midland): market median $27.16, prevailing (union) $67.25, gap +$40.09Midland (Midland)+$40.09Montcalm (Grand Rapids): market median $28.94, prevailing (union) $59.61, gap +$30.67Montcalm (Grand Rapids)+$30.67Benzie (Traverse City): market median $29.13, prevailing (union) $59.74, gap +$30.61Benzie (Traverse City)+$30.61Muskegon (Muskegon): market median $27.19, prevailing (survey) $29.33, gap +$2.14Muskegon (Muskegon)+$2.14
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for HVAC technicians, metro counties in Michigan.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
BranchUnion PLUM0333-005 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260110
HillsdaleUnion PLUM0333-005 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260123
HuronUnion PLUM0085-008 2026-05-04$47.00$24.18$71.18MI20260125
AlleganUnion PLUM0174-001 2025-07-01$47.40$23.35$70.75MI20260104
ArenacUnion PLUM0085-004 2024-05-01$45.50$21.75$67.25MI20260107
ClareUnion PLUM0085-004 2024-05-01$45.50$21.75$67.25MI20260114
GladwinUnion PLUM0085-004 2024-05-01$45.50$21.75$67.25MI20260119
GratiotUnion PLUM0085-004 2024-05-01$45.50$21.75$67.25MI20260122
MidlandUnion PLUM0085-004 2024-05-01$45.50$21.75$67.25MI20260138
TuscolaUnion PLUM0085-004 2024-05-01$45.50$21.75$67.25MI20260153
LenaweeUnion PLUM0190-002 2025-06-01$42.26$23.70$65.96MI20260131
IsabellaUnion PLUM0085-007 2025-05-04$43.50$22.10$65.60MI20260127
AlgerUnion PLUM0111-002 2025-05-27$34.59$27.53$62.12MI20260103
BaragaUnion PLUM0111-002 2025-05-27$34.59$27.53$62.12MI20260108
ChippewaUnion PLUM0111-002 2025-05-27$34.59$27.53$62.12MI20260113

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Michigan?

209.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-09
-1.3%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025209kSep 2026
Construction employment in Michigan (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

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 73 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 96,108 in 2015 to 124,330 in 2025, +29.4%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Monroe County29498$119,020$2,289
Wayne County3244,129$102,402$1,969
Oakland County3644,355$96,266$1,851
Genesee County942,120$96,110$1,848
St. Joseph County14311$93,942$1,807
Kent County1945,043$91,456$1,759
Saginaw County45603$91,080$1,752
Washtenaw County66929$89,281$1,717
Kalamazoo County571,988$88,285$1,698
Macomb County2542,804$87,558$1,684
Jackson County44480$87,321$1,679
Ingham County51644$84,822$1,631

Keep comparing

HVAC technician pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Michigan

More on Michigan

Questions this page answers

How much do HVAC technicians make in Michigan?

The median HVAC technician in Michigan earned $29.26 an hour ($60,850 a year) in May 2025, about the same as the national median of $29.33. The middle half earn $23.09–$37.40; the top 10% earn more than $45.81.

Where does Michigan rank for HVAC technician pay?

Michigan ranks 25th of 51 states for HVAC technician pay, with a median of $29.26 an hour, and 30th after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).

What is the union HVAC technician rate in Michigan?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for HVAC technicians in 54 counties, with a typical package of $60.50 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many HVAC technicians work in Michigan?

BLS counted 12,590 HVAC technicians in Michigan in May 2025, 2.9 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.09; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is HVAC technician work growing in Michigan?

The BLS employer survey count of HVAC technicians in Michigan went from 7,900 in 2015 to 12,590 in 2025, +59.4%, and +39.7% since 2019. Michigan's labor market agency projects +6.6% growth for HVAC technicians between 2024 and 2034, from 14,780 to 15,750 jobs.

How many HVAC technician openings a year are there in Michigan?

Michigan projects about 1,360 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, Michigan 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: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.