Skilled Wages

HVAC technician salary in South Carolina

Median $27.22 an hour for 6,920 HVAC technicians, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$27.22/hrMedian hourly wageSouth Carolina, May data
$56,610/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$18.83 – $36.3110th to 90th percentilehourly range
6,920Jobs countedemployer survey

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

HVAC technician pay in South Carolina: the full range

Wage percentiles, South CarolinaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50/hrSouth Carolina: 10th $18.83 · 25th $22.39 · median $27.22 · 75th $30.28 · 90th $36.31South Carolina$27.22$18.83$36.31United 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: South Carolina vs United States, May 2025.

South Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for median HVAC technician pay, and 36th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $29.05). 6,920 HVAC technicians work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.9× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$18.83 – $22.39$39,170 – $46,560roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$22.39 – $30.28$46,560 – $62,990the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$30.28 – $36.31$62,990 – $75,530the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



HVAC technician pay by metro in South Carolina

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrCharlotte: $28.77Charlotte$28.77Florence: $28.26Florence$28.26Greenville: $28.25Greenville$28.25Charleston: $28.08Charleston$28.08Hilton Head: $28.02Hilton Head$28.02Spartanburg: $27.79Spartanburg$27.79Columbia: $27.70Columbia$27.70Myrtle Beach: $26.07Myrtle Beach$26.07Sumter: $23.98Sumter$23.98Augusta: $23.51Augusta$23.51
Median hourly wage for HVAC technicians by metro area in South Carolina, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Charlotte$19.29$28.77$29.57$38.083,8606% above
Florence$17.63$28.26$32.56$39.151804% above
Greenville$18.52$28.25$30.28$37.271,1604% above
Charleston$19.37$28.08$27.80$37.051,2703% above
Hilton Head$18.79$28.02$28.59$35.884203% above
Spartanburg$19.56$27.79$30.50$36.983902% above
Columbia$18.97$27.70$29.56$35.501,2202% above
Myrtle Beach$18.91$26.07$27.85$35.066304% below
Sumter$17.40$23.98$27.25$35.5711012% below
Augusta$17.42$23.51$25.58$35.0362014% below

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

HVAC technician wages in South Carolina over time

South Carolina, 1999-2025South CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$0$10$20$30$40200020052010201520202025$29.33United States$27.22South Carolina
Median hourly wage for HVAC technicians, South Carolina vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearSouth Carolina $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$11.60$22.42$14.503,230
2000$13.33$24.92$15.763,630
2001$13.83$25.14$16.353,100
2002$13.76$24.62$16.783,590
2003$14.47$25.32$16.903,940
2004$15.48$26.38$17.434,150
2005$15.47$25.50$17.81—
2006$16.14$25.77$18.114,160
2007$16.65$25.85$18.444,240
2008$16.51$24.69$19.084,880
2009$16.89$25.35$19.764,310
2010$17.26$25.48$20.453,790
2011$17.82$25.50$20.864,010
2012$17.34$24.31$20.984,060
2013$18.19$25.14$21.104,310
2014$18.32$24.91$21.464,000
2015$18.86$25.62$21.694,750
2016$19.40$26.02$22.075,530
2017$19.95$26.20$22.645,740
2018$21.43$27.48$22.895,900
2019$21.52$27.10$23.435,530
2020$22.28$27.71$24.325,020
2021$20.72$24.62$23.385,700
2022$22.35$24.59$24.715,470
2023$24.00$25.36$27.556,360
2024$26.57$27.27$28.756,370
2025$27.22$27.22$29.336,920

In today's dollars, the median HVAC technician wage in South Carolina changed by +6.3% over the last ten years of data and by +0.4% since 2019.

Are there more HVAC technician jobs in South Carolina?

+25.1%Jobs since 20195,530 then, 6,920 in 2025
+45.7%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
3.0Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.1× the US share, 17th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of HVAC technicians counted in South Carolina has changed by +114.2%, against +118.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +25.1%.

HVAC and refrigeration technicians in South Carolina vs United States, 1999 = 100South CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages5010015020025020002010201520202025218United States214South Carolina
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, South Carolina vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearSouth Carolina jobsSouth Carolina indexUS index
19993,230100100
20003,630112105
20013,10096108
20023,590111110
20033,940122113
20044,150128120
20064,160129134
20074,240131140
20084,880151139
20094,310133130
20103,790117119
20114,010124123
20124,060126128
20134,310133134
20144,000124139
20154,750147146
20165,530171157
20175,740178164
20185,900183173
20195,530171182
20205,020155183
20215,700176190
20225,470169200
20236,360197212
20246,370197211
20256,920214218

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 South Carolina

+9.9%Projected growth in South Carolina2024–2034, state agency
740Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
7,590Jobs in 20248,340 projected for 2034
+10.9%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

South Carolina's labor market agency projects the number of HVAC technicians in the state to change by +9.9% between 2024 and 2034, from 7,590 to 8,340, with about 740 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 6,920 counted by the BLS employer survey.

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

Union scale and prevailing wage for HVAC technicians in South Carolina

On federally funded construction in South Carolina, contractors must pay HVAC technicians at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 20 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $21.64). 20 of the 20 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Aiken County at $21.64). The market median for the state is $27.22.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, SCAbbeville: n/aAiken: $21.64 (survey)Allendale: n/aAnderson: $19.11 (survey)Bamberg: n/aBarnwell: n/aBeaufort: n/aBerkeley: $21.93 (survey)Calhoun: $21.64 (survey)Charleston: $21.93 (survey)Cherokee: n/aChester: n/aChesterfield: n/aClarendon: n/aColleton: n/aDarlington: $21.64 (survey)Dillon: n/aDorchester: $21.93 (survey)Edgefield: $21.64 (survey)Fairfield: $21.64 (survey)Florence: $21.64 (survey)Georgetown: n/aGreenville: $19.11 (survey)Greenwood: n/aHampton: n/aHorry: $21.98 (survey)Jasper: n/aKershaw: $21.64 (survey)Lancaster: n/aLaurens: $19.11 (survey)Lee: n/aLexington: $21.64 (survey)McCormick: n/aMarion: n/aMarlboro: n/aNewberry: n/aOconee: n/aOrangeburg: n/aPickens: $19.11 (survey)Richland: $21.64 (survey)Saluda: $21.64 (survey)Spartanburg: $19.11 (survey)Sumter: $21.64 (survey)Union: n/aWilliamsburg: n/aYork: n/aUnion / prevailing package, $/hr$21.64$21.70n/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 (survey)$15$20$25$30/hrAiken (Augusta): market median $23.51, prevailing (survey) $21.64, gap −$1.87Aiken (Augusta)−$1.87Sumter (Sumter): market median $23.98, prevailing (survey) $21.64, gap −$2.34Sumter (Sumter)−$2.34Horry (Myrtle Beach): market median $26.07, prevailing (survey) $21.98, gap −$4.09Horry (Myrtle Beach)−$4.09Calhoun (Columbia): market median $27.70, prevailing (survey) $21.64, gap −$6.06Calhoun (Columbia)−$6.06Berkeley (Charleston): market median $28.08, prevailing (survey) $21.93, gap −$6.15Berkeley (Charleston)−$6.15Darlington (Florence): market median $28.26, prevailing (survey) $21.64, gap −$6.62Darlington (Florence)−$6.62Spartanburg (Spartanburg): market median $27.79, prevailing (survey) $19.11, gap −$8.68Spartanburg (Spartanburg)−$8.68Anderson (Greenville): market median $28.25, prevailing (survey) $19.11, gap −$9.14Anderson (Greenville)−$9.14
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for HVAC technicians, metro counties in South Carolina.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
HorrySurvey SUSC2011-022 2011-08-31$19.36$2.62$21.98SC20260026
BerkeleySurvey SUSC2011-018 2011-08-31$19.24$2.69$21.93SC20260022
CharlestonSurvey SUSC2011-019 2011-08-31$19.24$2.69$21.93SC20260023
DorchesterSurvey SUSC2011-020 2011-08-31$19.24$2.69$21.93SC20260024
AikenSurvey SUSC2011-028 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260032
CalhounSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260033
DarlingtonSurvey SUSC2011-030 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260005
EdgefieldSurvey SUSC2011-028 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260032
FairfieldSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260033
FlorenceSurvey SUSC2011-030 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260005
KershawSurvey SUSC2011-023 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260027
LexingtonSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260033
RichlandSurvey SUSC2011-024 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260028
SaludaSurvey SUSC2011-029 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260033
SumterSurvey SUSC2011-026 2011-08-31$19.71$1.93$21.64SC20260030

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

Is construction work growing in South Carolina?

130.0kConstruction jobsSouth Carolina, 2026-09
+4.2%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202660k80k100k120k140k19901995200020052010201520202025130kSep 2026
Construction employment in South Carolina (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 41 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 49,293 in 2015 to 69,005 in 2025, +40.0%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Florence County35506$95,391$1,834
Cherokee County15134$87,472$1,682
Berkeley County70655$82,750$1,591
Charleston County1552,659$79,004$1,519
Greenville County1962,304$75,165$1,445
Jasper County20163$74,756$1,438
Beaufort County83887$72,504$1,394
York County105847$72,363$1,392
Spartanburg County931,043$71,055$1,366
Richland County971,263$70,971$1,365
Laurens County12137$70,231$1,351
Dorchester County50277$69,526$1,337

Keep comparing

HVAC technician pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in South Carolina

More on South Carolina

Questions this page answers

How much do HVAC technicians make in South Carolina?

The median HVAC technician in South Carolina earned $27.22 an hour ($56,610 a year) in May 2025, 7% below the national median of $29.33. The middle half earn $22.39–$30.28; the top 10% earn more than $36.31.

Where does South Carolina rank for HVAC technician pay?

South Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for HVAC technician pay, with a median of $27.22 an hour, and 36th after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 93.7, US = 100).

What is the union HVAC technician rate in South Carolina?

Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a HVAC technician classification for most South Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.

How many HVAC technicians work in South Carolina?

BLS counted 6,920 HVAC technicians in South Carolina in May 2025, 3.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.14; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is HVAC technician work growing in South Carolina?

The BLS employer survey count of HVAC technicians in South Carolina went from 4,750 in 2015 to 6,920 in 2025, +45.7%, and +25.1% since 2019. South Carolina's labor market agency projects +9.9% growth for HVAC technicians between 2024 and 2034, from 7,590 to 8,340 jobs.

How many HVAC technician openings a year are there in South Carolina?

South Carolina projects about 740 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, South Carolina 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: South Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.