HVAC Technician salary in the United States
National median pay
$61,010/year
about $29.33 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $48,360 – $77,060
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| 25th | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| 75th | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| 90th (top earners) | $95,210 | $45.77 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($82,050). Lowest of the cities we track: Tampa ($50,540).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $82,050 | $63,820 – $106,630 |
| Seattle, WA | $80,100 | $62,360 – $101,190 |
| Boston, MA | $78,530 | $61,740 – $97,270 |
| San Francisco, CA | $78,490 | $61,930 – $101,870 |
| New York, NY | $77,990 | $61,350 – $93,340 |
| Chicago, IL | $77,960 | $61,050 – $96,790 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $77,490 | $60,350 – $92,670 |
| San Diego, CA | $74,880 | $58,330 – $91,690 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,830 | $58,220 – $83,490 |
| Washington, DC | $71,920 | $57,670 – $89,240 |
| Denver, CO | $71,580 | $59,080 – $90,390 |
| Sacramento, CA | $66,670 | $51,720 – $82,730 |
| Portland, OR | $65,260 | $60,170 – $81,350 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $64,580 | $52,000 – $79,030 |
| Baltimore, MD | $63,180 | $53,130 – $84,950 |
| Detroit, MI | $63,170 | $48,240 – $80,780 |
| St. Louis, MO | $63,000 | $49,040 – $78,820 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $62,140 | $49,300 – $74,320 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,170 | $47,430 – $74,880 |
| Austin, TX | $60,820 | $49,070 – $74,810 |
| Nashville, TN | $60,270 | $48,480 – $71,330 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $60,240 | $48,020 – $76,590 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,840 | $47,950 – $69,770 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,560 | $47,860 – $74,270 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,970 | $47,530 – $74,690 |
| Houston, TX | $58,940 | $47,040 – $73,900 |
| San Antonio, TX | $58,590 | $46,550 – $74,010 |
| Miami, FL | $58,040 | $48,440 – $72,580 |
| Orlando, FL | $51,460 | $46,370 – $63,150 |
| Tampa, FL | $50,540 | $46,740 – $61,820 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for hvac technicians, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
- Below market under $48,360 ($23.25/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $48,360 to $77,060 ($23.25 to $37.05/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $77,060 ($37.05/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- EPA 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants, and more certifications usually mean more pay.
- Summer and winter peaks bring overtime. Ask how much is typical and how it's paid.
- Ask whether you get a company van, tools and paid on-call time.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.