The industry is facing a massive retirement wave of seasoned technicians. This supply shortage is driving up wages for mid-level (2-4 years) and senior technicians as companies compete for skilled labor.
Updated for 2025
HVAC Technician
Salary Report
The definitive guide to earnings, career growth, and market trends for HVAC professionals in the United States.
Median Annual
$59,810
Growth (Mid-Level)
+21%
Highest Avg Pay
Alaska
Job Outlook
8%
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National Data
Salary by State
Explore average earnings across the country. Hover over any state to see detailed breakdowns for Entry, Mid, and Senior levels.
AL
Alabama Entry Level $50,900
Mid Level $61,900
Senior Level $72,600
Supervisor $85,400
AK
Alaska Entry Level $55,700
Mid Level $67,700
Senior Level $79,400
Supervisor $93,500
AZ
Arizona Entry Level $52,900
Mid Level $64,300
Senior Level $75,400
Supervisor $88,700
AR
Arkansas Entry Level $50,000
Mid Level $60,800
Senior Level $71,400
Supervisor $84,000
CA
California Entry Level $59,200
Mid Level $72,000
Senior Level $84,500
Supervisor $99,400
CO
Colorado Entry Level $54,800
Mid Level $66,500
Senior Level $78,100
Supervisor $91,900
CT
Connecticut Entry Level $56,500
Mid Level $68,600
Senior Level $80,600
Supervisor $94,800
DE
Delaware Entry Level $54,700
Mid Level $66,500
Senior Level $78,100
Supervisor $91,800
FL
Florida Entry Level $52,100
Mid Level $63,300
Senior Level $74,300
Supervisor $87,400
GA
Georgia Entry Level $53,000
Mid Level $64,400
Senior Level $75,600
Supervisor $89,000
HI
Hawaii Entry Level $56,100
Mid Level $68,200
Senior Level $80,100
Supervisor $94,200
ID
Idaho Entry Level $51,300
Mid Level $62,300
Senior Level $73,200
Supervisor $86,100
IL
Illinois Entry Level $55,200
Mid Level $67,100
Senior Level $78,800
Supervisor $92,700
IN
Indiana Entry Level $52,000
Mid Level $63,100
Senior Level $74,100
Supervisor $87,200
IA
Iowa Entry Level $51,100
Mid Level $62,100
Senior Level $72,900
Supervisor $85,800
KS
Kansas Entry Level $51,900
Mid Level $63,100
Senior Level $74,000
Supervisor $87,100
KY
Kentucky Entry Level $51,100
Mid Level $62,000
Senior Level $72,800
Supervisor $85,700
LA
Louisiana Entry Level $52,200
Mid Level $63,400
Senior Level $74,500
Supervisor $87,600
ME
Maine Entry Level $52,500
Mid Level $63,800
Senior Level $74,900
Supervisor $88,200
MD
Maryland Entry Level $55,500
Mid Level $67,500
Senior Level $79,200
Supervisor $93,200
MA
Massachusetts Entry Level $57,500
Mid Level $69,800
Senior Level $82,000
Supervisor $96,400
MI
Michigan Entry Level $53,200
Mid Level $64,600
Senior Level $75,900
Supervisor $89,300
MN
Minnesota Entry Level $54,400
Mid Level $66,100
Senior Level $77,600
Supervisor $91,400
MS
Mississippi Entry Level $49,500
Mid Level $60,200
Senior Level $70,700
Supervisor $83,100
MO
Missouri Entry Level $52,300
Mid Level $63,600
Senior Level $74,600
Supervisor $87,800
MT
Montana Entry Level $50,800
Mid Level $61,700
Senior Level $72,500
Supervisor $85,300
NE
Nebraska Entry Level $51,500
Mid Level $62,600
Senior Level $73,400
Supervisor $86,400
NV
Nevada Entry Level $53,000
Mid Level $64,400
Senior Level $75,600
Supervisor $88,900
NH
New Hampshire Entry Level $55,000
Mid Level $66,800
Senior Level $78,500
Supervisor $92,300
NJ
New Jersey Entry Level $58,300
Mid Level $70,800
Senior Level $83,100
Supervisor $97,800
NM
New Mexico Entry Level $52,500
Mid Level $63,700
Senior Level $74,800
Supervisor $88,000
NY
New York Entry Level $56,900
Mid Level $69,200
Senior Level $81,200
Supervisor $95,600
NC
North Carolina Entry Level $52,900
Mid Level $64,300
Senior Level $75,500
Supervisor $88,800
ND
North Dakota Entry Level $51,300
Mid Level $62,400
Senior Level $73,200
Supervisor $86,100
OH
Ohio Entry Level $52,200
Mid Level $63,400
Senior Level $74,400
Supervisor $87,500
OK
Oklahoma Entry Level $51,200
Mid Level $62,200
Senior Level $73,000
Supervisor $85,900
OR
Oregon Entry Level $55,000
Mid Level $66,800
Senior Level $78,400
Supervisor $92,200
PA
Pennsylvania Entry Level $53,900
Mid Level $65,500
Senior Level $76,900
Supervisor $90,500
RI
Rhode Island Entry Level $54,400
Mid Level $66,100
Senior Level $77,600
Supervisor $91,300
SC
South Carolina Entry Level $51,200
Mid Level $62,200
Senior Level $73,000
Supervisor $85,900
SD
South Dakota Entry Level $50,100
Mid Level $60,800
Senior Level $71,400
Supervisor $84,000
TN
Tennessee Entry Level $51,700
Mid Level $62,800
Senior Level $73,700
Supervisor $86,700
TX
Texas Entry Level $53,900
Mid Level $65,500
Senior Level $76,900
Supervisor $90,400
UT
Utah Entry Level $52,700
Mid Level $64,000
Senior Level $75,100
Supervisor $88,400
VT
Vermont Entry Level $51,200
Mid Level $62,200
Senior Level $73,000
Supervisor $85,900
VA
Virginia Entry Level $54,700
Mid Level $66,500
Senior Level $78,100
Supervisor $91,900
WA
Washington Entry Level $58,000
Mid Level $70,500
Senior Level $82,700
Supervisor $97,300
WV
West Virginia Entry Level $49,200
Mid Level $59,800
Senior Level $70,100
Supervisor $82,500
WI
Wisconsin Entry Level $52,700
Mid Level $64,100
Senior Level $75,200
Supervisor $88,500
WY
Wyoming Entry Level $49,600
Mid Level $60,200
Senior Level $70,700
Supervisor $83,200
Cost of Living
High COL Adjustments
States like CA, MA, and NY offer higher nominal wages ($59k+ start) to offset living expenses.
Specialization
Industrial Hubs
Regions with heavy industrial activity often show higher mid-career wage growth due to specialized equipment needs.
Demand
Climate Drivers
Extreme climate zones (FL, AZ, AK) maintain steady demand, ensuring stable hours and overtime potential.
Market Insights
Trends & Career Growth
Data-driven insights into how experience, location, and economic factors influence compensation.
2016-2025
Historical Salary Growth
Data Source: ServiceTitan / BLS
Career Path
Salary by Experience
Data Source: Payscale 2024-2025
Distribution
National Income Percentiles
Data Source: BLS OEWS 2024
Regional Focus
Texas Metro Areas (Avg Annual)
Data Source: Indeed / TradeCareerPath
Workforce Dynamics
The "Silver Tsunami" Impact
- 40,100+ Annual Job Openings (BLS)
- 8% Growth Rate through 2034
- High Demand for Control Techs & automation skills
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Certifications
NATE & EPA 608
NATE-certified technicians earn roughly 12.2% more than their non-certified peers. EPA 608 Universal is the baseline requirement.
Sector
Commercial vs. Residential
Commercial technicians often see 20-30% higher hourly rates due to the complexity of VRF systems, Chillers, and Building Management Systems (BMS).
The Impact of Green Technology
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the shift towards high-efficiency heat pumps are reshaping the skills matrix.
- Inverter-driven compressor diagnostics
- A2L (Low-GWP) Refrigerant handling
- Smart thermostat & home automation integration
...are commanding premium wages as employers scramble to meet new efficiency regulations.
Texas Spotlight: A Hot Market
Texas remains a powerhouse for HVAC demand. While the state average sits near the national median, metro areas like Austin ($56k+) and Dallas-Fort Worth** ($54k+) offer competitive wages balanced against a moderate cost of living compared to coastal cities. The sheer volume of cooling days guarantees potential for significant overtime income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do entry-level HVAC techs make? ▼
Entry-level technicians (0-2 years experience) typically earn between $39,130 and $54,100 annually, depending on the state and sector. Apprenticeships often start on the lower end but offer rapid scaling as certifications are acquired.
Is HVAC a good career for the future? ▼
Yes. With an 8% predicted growth rate (much faster than average) and the "essential" nature of the work, it offers high job security. The increasing complexity of systems also provides a clear path to high-income specialization.
Do I need a license to work in HVAC? ▼
At a minimum, you must have EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants nationwide. Most states also require specific contractor or journeyman licenses to work independently.