HVAC technicians in the US earn $53,410 on average — with commercial specialists and business owners earning $75,000-$120,000+.
Average HVAC Technician Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $53,410 |
| Median salary | $50,590 |
| Entry level | $35,000-$42,000 |
| Experienced (5-10 years) | $50,000-$70,000 |
| Senior/Specialist | $70,000-$100,000 |
| Hourly rate | $25.68 |
HVAC Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Years | Salary Range | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice/Helper | 0-1 | $30,000-$38,000 | $14-$18 |
| Entry Level Tech | 1-3 | $38,000-$48,000 | $18-$23 |
| Journeyman | 3-5 | $48,000-$58,000 | $23-$28 |
| Senior Technician | 5-10 | $58,000-$75,000 | $28-$36 |
| Master/Specialist | 10+ | $70,000-$95,000 | $34-$46 |
| Service Manager | 10+ | $75,000-$110,000 | Varies |
HVAC Technician Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $72,100 | $34.66 | +35% |
| Connecticut | $65,290 | $31.39 | +22% |
| Massachusetts | $64,780 | $31.14 | +21% |
| New Jersey | $63,500 | $30.53 | +19% |
| Hawaii | $62,910 | $30.25 | +18% |
| Washington | $62,350 | $29.98 | +17% |
| California | $61,790 | $29.71 | +16% |
| Illinois | $61,200 | $29.42 | +15% |
| New York | $60,480 | $29.08 | +13% |
| Oregon | $59,900 | $28.80 | +12% |
| Texas | $50,200 | $24.13 | -6% |
| Florida | $48,500 | $23.32 | -9% |
| Georgia | $47,800 | $22.98 | -10% |
| Mississippi | $42,500 | $20.43 | -20% |
HVAC Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial HVAC | $62,000 | Very High |
| Industrial HVAC | $68,000 | High |
| Refrigeration Tech | $58,000 | High |
| HVAC Controls/BAS | $72,000 | Growing |
| Residential HVAC | $48,000 | High |
| HVAC Estimator | $65,000 | Moderate |
| HVAC Sales Tech | $60,000 + commission | Moderate |
| Heat Pump Specialist | $58,000 | Growing |
Union vs. Non-Union HVAC Pay
| Type | Average Wage | Benefits | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | $32-$48/hour | Excellent | $75,000-$110,000 |
| Non-Union | $22-$35/hour | Varies | $45,000-$75,000 |
Union HVAC technicians typically earn higher wages with better benefits, though availability varies by region.
Overtime and Seasonal Earnings
HVAC work is often seasonal with peak demand in summer and winter:
| Base Salary | Peak Season OT | Annual OT Pay | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $52,000 | 10 hrs/week x 16 wks | $12,000 | $64,000 |
| $52,000 | 15 hrs/week x 20 wks | $19,500 | $71,500 |
| $52,000 | 20 hrs/week x 24 wks | $31,200 | $83,200 |
Emergency/on-call work often pays 1.5x to 2x regular rates.
How to Become an HVAC Technician
| Step | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC certificate program | 6-12 months | $3,000-$15,000 |
| Associate degree | 2 years | $10,000-$25,000 |
| Apprenticeship | 3-5 years | Paid while learning |
| EPA 608 Certification | 1 day exam | $150-$200 |
| State license (where required) | Varies | $100-$500 |
HVAC Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth for HVAC technicians through 2032 — faster than average.
Factors driving demand:
- Climate change increasing AC needs
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Heat pump adoption
- Aging workforce creating openings
- New construction
- Smart building systems
How to Maximize HVAC Earnings
- Get certified — EPA 608, NATE, manufacturer certifications
- Specialize — Commercial, industrial, controls, refrigeration
- Learn new tech — Heat pumps, VRF systems, building automation
- Consider union shops — Higher pay and benefits
- Move to high-paying states — Northeast, West Coast, Alaska
- Start your own business — Top earners own HVAC companies
Related Salaries
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC industry surveys, job posting analysis. Updated March 2026.