HVAC Technician Salaries: 2025 State-by-State Guide

HVAC technicians make an average of $59,810 per year, or $28.75 per hour.* Your salary can vary depending on your location, experience level, certifications, and the type of work you specialize in. For example, technicians in major cities or states with higher living costs often earn more, as do those with advanced skills in things like refrigeration, controls, or energy-efficient systems.

If you’re thinking about becoming an HVAC technician or want to figure out earning potential as you grow your career, we’ve researched salaries based on various factors to give you an idea of what to expect. We’ve also provided expert tips to make yourself more marketable and land higher-paying jobs.

*All data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Key highlights:

• HVAC techs typically make between $39,130 and $91,020.
• Alaska, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. have the highest HVAC salaries.
• Location and experience level have the biggest impact on pay.
• Certifications, specialization, and leadership roles can help you earn more.

How much HVAC techs make by state: hourly and annual wage

Where you live can make a big difference in how much you’re paid as an HVAC technician. States like Alaska, Minnesota, and Massachusetts pay well above the national average, while places like Mississippi and West Virginia fall on the lower end. These differences often come down to cost of living, climate extremes, and local demand for skilled technicians. However, salaries typically land in the $55,000 to $62,000 range, giving you a good idea of what to expect nationwide. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of HVAC salaries by state:

State	Hourly	Annual
Alabama	$23.70	$49,290
Alaska	$40.22	$83,660
Arizona	$27.20	$56,580
Arkansas	$22.71	$47,240
California	$31.39	$65,290
Connecticut	$35.53	$73,910
Delaware	$28.82	$59,940
Florida	$24.32	$50,580
Georgia	$26.45	$55,020
Hawaii	$30.67	$63,780
Idaho	$25.35	$52,730
Illinois	$34.44	$71,260
Indiana	$28.99	$60,310
Iowa	$28.60	$59,490
Kansas	$27.29	$56,750
Kentucky	$28.31	$58,880
Louisiana	$25.73	$53,510
Maine	$29.87	$62,130
Maryland	$31.25	$65,000
Massachusetts	$37.02	$76,990
Michigan	$28.89	$60,090
Minnesota	$35.29	$73,390
Mississippi	$22.73	$47,270
Missouri	$29	$60,330
Montana	$28.17	$58,600
Nebraska	$28.70	$59,690
Nevada	$28.48	$59,230
New Hampshire	$30.97	$64,410
New Jersey	$33.56	$69,800
New Mexico	$26.45	$55,020
New York	$32.05	$66,670
North Carolina	$24.97	$51,940
North Dakota	$32.10	$66,770
Ohio	$29.08	$60,490
Oklahoma	$24.48	$50,920
Oregon	$30.16	$62,740
Pennsylvania	$29.38	$61,120
Rhode Island	$30.57	$63,580
South Carolina	$26.57	$55,260
South Dakota	$28.59	$59,460
Tennessee	$24.75	$51,480
Texas	$25.99	$54,050
Utah	$27.02	$56,200
Vermont	$28.93	$60,170
Virginia	$29.15	$60,630
Washington	$32.51	$67,630
Washington, D.C.	$40.09	$83,390
West Virginia	$22.13	$46,040
Wisconsin	$29.82	$62,030
Wyoming	$24.48	$50,920

*The BLS stopped publishing Colorado salary data in December 2024 due to unreliable unemployment insurance data during system modernization. The issue is now fixed, but more time is needed before resuming full estimates.

What states pay HVAC techs the most?

States with harsh climates, high living costs, strong unions, or concentrated commercial demand tend to offer the highest pay for HVAC technicians. For example, Alaska’s extreme climate and relatively small workforce make it the highest-paying state, while Washington, D.C. comes in a close second thanks to a high cost of living and consistent demand from government and commercial buildings.

Here’s a closer look at the five highest-paying areas for HVAC techs:

Location	Low	Median	High
Alaska	$47,310	$83,660	$104,100
District of Columbia	$49,400	$83,390	$105,480
Massachusetts	$49,540	$76,990	$109,220
Connecticut	$46,120	$73,910	$97,940
Washington	$47,120	$67,630	$108,800

What states pay HVAC techs the least?

States in the South and Appalachia tend to have lower HVAC salaries. This is due to lower costs of living, weaker union presence, and highly competitive labor markets that water down wages. Though the climate still creates steady demand for HVAC services, pay rates don’t rise as high as they do in major cities or northern states.

Location	Low	Median	High
West Virginia	$35,260	$46,040	$65,390
Mississippi	$36,000	$47,270	$70,360
Arkansas	$36,440	$47,240	$65,810
Alabama	$35,940	$49,290	$69,350
Oklahoma	$35,610	$50,920	$79,580

HVAC salary by experience level

Your experience as an HVAC tech has a big impact on how much you earn. Though you’ll start out at a modest rate, you’ll begin to make more as you gain hands-on skills and confidence. After a few years, you can expect a noticeable jump in pay, or significantly more if you reach a senior level where you handle complex systems or lead a team. Here’s a look at what you can typically expect to make at each stage of your career:

Experience Level	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
Entry (0-2 years)	$39,130	$18.81
Intermediate (2-4 years)	$59,810	$28.75
Senior (4+ years)	$91,020	$43.75

Other factors that affect HVAC technician salary

Several factors can influence how much you make as an HVAC technician beyond your location and experience:

• Industry sector: Commercial and industrial projects are often larger and more complex than residential ones, which can translate to higher pay.
• Company size and structure: Working for a larger company may offer more opportunities for overtime, structured raises, or benefits, while smaller companies might offer more flexibility or profit-sharing arrangements.
• Market demand: Local demand for HVAC services affects earning potential. Rates may be higher in peak seasons or in areas with a shortage of qualified technicians.

How to increase your HVAC salary

If you want to boost your earning potential, here are some practical steps you can take:

• Gain certifications: Completing certifications like NATE, EPA, or specialized system training can qualify you for higher-paying roles and make you more competitive in the job market.
• Advance to supervisory roles: Taking on responsibilities such as team lead or project supervisor can lead to substantial salary increases.
• Specialize in high-demand systems: Learning to work on refrigeration, commercial HVAC, or green/energy-efficient technology can open doors to more lucrative jobs.
• Think about location and employer type: Working in high-demand areas or for commercial/industrial companies can pay more.
• Build broad hands-on experience: Working across a variety of systems and projects makes you more versatile and valuable, which can lead to higher pay and better opportunities.

Highest-paying HVAC jobs

HVAC jobs aren’t just about maintaining heating and cooling systems. There are many different types of roles, depending on your interests and skills. Here are the 10 highest-paying HVAC jobs, according to Zip Recruiter:

• Thermal engineer ($80,000–$129,000): Maintains and analyzes heat transfer systems across industrial or aerospace applications.
• HVAC project manager ($80,000–$112,000): Oversees HVAC installations, designs projects, and supervises technicians.
• CFD engineer ($85,500–$110,000): Uses computational fluid dynamics to model heat and fluid flow in mechanical systems.
• HVAC sales representative ($59,500–$110,000): Generates leads, designs system proposals, and sells HVAC products.
• HVAC engineer ($58,500–$106,500): Designs HVAC and refrigeration systems and collaborates on installations.
• HVAC design engineer ($85,000–$100,000): Plans and installs HVAC systems, considering efficiency and client needs.
• HVAC estimator ($59,500–$94,500): Calculates project costs, materials, and labor for HVAC projects.
• HVAC residential service technician ($53,000–$90,000): Installs, maintains, and repairs residential HVAC systems.
• HVAC manager ($58,000–$87,500): Oversees teams and ensures smooth operation of HVAC services.
• HVAC controls technician ($60,500–$80,000): Installs and programs the control systems for HVAC equipment.

Starting your own HVAC business

Starting your own HVAC business gives you control over your rates and the jobs you take. While it comes with more responsibility, it can also significantly increase your income compared to working for someone else.

This is where Housecall Pro can help. With our all-in-one platform, you can:

• Streamline scheduling and dispatch to save time and handle more jobs efficiently.
• Simplify invoicing and payment collection, so you get paid faster and reduce administrative headaches.
• Track your business performance with real-time dashboards, helping you make smarter decisions about pricing, services, and staffing.
• Manage customer relationships to encourage repeat business and referrals.

Using tools like Housecall Pro allow you to focus more on growing your business and less on paperwork, helping you maximize your earnings as both a technician and business owner. Interested in learning more? Try our free 14-day trial.

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