HVAC Technician Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$60,000
national median salary
$48,000 to $75,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $61,010 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) across the United States, based on 409,670 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$40,050
25th percentile
$48,360
Median
$61,010
75th percentile
$77,060
90th percentile
$95,210
Workers surveyed
409,670
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$59,810
May 2025 release
$61,010
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) rather than HVAC Technicianspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 49-9021Highest Paying
$83,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$63,000
Portland, ME
Lowest Paying
$45,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 49-9021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average HVAC Technician salary in the United States at $60,000 in 2026, within a range of $48,000 to $75,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $83,000, while Portland offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. EPA Section 608 Universal certification is the baseline, but technicians with NATE certification and commercial refrigeration expertise earn 15 to 25% more.
HVAC Technician salary by city.
Skills that increase HVAC Technician pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for HVAC Technicians based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,400 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,400 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,200 per year
≈ +$6,600 per year
≈ +$6,600 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$5,400 per year
What you should know.
EPA Section 608 Universal certification is the baseline, but technicians with NATE certification and commercial refrigeration expertise earn 15 to 25% more. Seasonal demand creates overtime spikes in summer and winter that significantly boost annual earnings. Techs servicing data center cooling or clean room HVAC systems command the highest year-round rates.
HVAC apprentices start at $30,000 to $38,000 during their three to five year training period. Journeyman technicians earn $44,000 to $62,000, while master HVAC technicians and system designers reach $68,000 to $85,000. HVAC business owners can earn $100,000 to $160,000.
Overtime during peak seasons adds $6,000 to $14,000 annually. Company vehicles, tool allowances of $1,000 to $3,000, and manufacturer training programs are standard benefits. Union HVAC techs also receive pension and health fund contributions.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote HVAC Technicians typically earn $58,000 (3% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about HVAC Technician pay.
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