HVAC technicians are essential for maintaining comfortable indoor environments, whether it’s during scorching summers or freezing winters. As an HVAC business owner, ensuring your technicians are well-compensated is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. Salary is a major factor in an employee’s decision to join and stay with an HVAC business. Let’s explore the earning potential for HVAC technicians in the United States.
What is the Average HVAC Technician Salary in the U.S.?
The average HVAC technician salary in the U.S. is $58,782 per year, which translates to approximately $28.26 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. However, this figure can vary based on experience, job title, responsibilities, and location. ZipRecruiter data indicates hourly rates range from $10.24 to $48.73, with most technicians earning between $22.12 and $31.97 per hour. It’s important to note that these figures encompass a range of HVAC positions, from apprentices to senior service specialists.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for HVAC Technicians
HVAC technician salaries can fluctuate significantly from state to state due to factors like cost of living, local economic conditions, and demand. Although individual salaries can vary based on experience and employer, these states generally offer the highest compensation for HVAC professionals:
- Washington: $66,577/year ($32.00/hour)
- New York: $64,310/year ($31.00/hour)
- Alaska: $63,305/year ($30.00/hour)
- Oregon: $63,261/year ($30.00/hour)
- Massachusetts: $63,127/year ($30.35/hour)
- North Dakota: $63,049/year ($30.31/hour)
- Minnesota: $62,477/year ($30.04/hour)
- Hawaii: $61,774/year ($29.70/hour)
- Ohio: $61,106/year ($29.38/hour)
- Colorado: $59,980/year ($28.84/hour)
10 Lowest-Paying States for HVAC Technicians
Conversely, some states offer lower average salaries for HVAC technicians, often due to similar factors influencing higher-paying states:
- Florida: $39,848/year ($19.21/hour)
- Georgia: $45,138/year ($21.70/hour)
- West Virginia: $45,507/year ($22.00/hour)
- Arkansas: $47,329/year ($22.75/hour)
- Alabama: $48,453/year ($23.30/hour)
- Montana: $49,065/year ($23.59/hour)
- Michigan: $49,674/year ($23.88/hour)
- Kentucky: $49,968/year ($24.02/hour)
- Indiana: $50,868/year ($24.46/hour)
- Texas: $51,202/year ($24.62/hour)
HVAC Technician Salary by State: A Comprehensive Table
| State | Average Hourly Rate | Annual Tech Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $23.30 | $48,453 |
| Alaska | $30.00 | $63,305 |
| Arizona | $25.73 | $53,514 |
| Arkansas | $22.75 | $47,329 |
| California | $25.96 | $54,001 |
| Colorado | $28.84 | $59,980 |
| Connecticut | $27.97 | $58,168 |
| Delaware | $27.21 | $56,604 |
| Florida | $19.21 | $39,948 |
| Georgia | $21.70 | $45,138 |
| Hawaii | $29.70 | $61,774 |
| Idaho | $24.81 | $51,601 |
| Illinois | $26.67 | $55,465 |
| Indiana | $24.46 | $50,868 |
| Iowa | $28.31 | $58,881 |
| Kansas | $25.81 | $53,691 |
| Kentucky | $24.02 | $49,968 |
| Louisiana | $26.22 | $54,546 |
| Maine | $27.00 | $56,913 |
| Maryland | $26.37 | $54,841 |
| Massachusetts | $30.35 | $63,127 |
| Michigan | $23.88 | $49,674 |
| Minnesota | $30.04 | $62,477 |
| Mississippi | $27.43 | $57,054 |
| Missouri | $25.59 | $53,232 |
| Montana | $23.59 | $49,065 |
| Nebraska | $25.83 | $53,735 |
| Nevada | $28.82 | $59,938 |
| New Hampshire | $25.12 | $52,249 |
| New Jersey | $29.00 | $59,678 |
| New Mexico | $24.69 | $51,352 |
| New York | $31.00 | $64,310 |
| North Carolina | $24.83 | $51,649 |
| North Dakota | $30.31 | $63,049 |
| Ohio | $29.38 | $61,106 |
| Oklahoma | $25.02 | $52,038 |
| Oregon | $30.00 | $63,261 |
| Pennsylvania | $25.85 | $53,770 |
| Rhode Island | $28.17 | $58,594 |
| South Carolina | $25.36 | $52,738 |
| South Dakota | $28.00 | $58,782 |
| Tennessee | $28.05 | $58,345 |
| Texas | $24.62 | $51,202 |
| Utah | $27.78 | $57,786 |
| Vermont | $27.51 | $57,225 |
| Virginia | $26.86 | $55,875 |
| Washington | $32.00 | $66,577 |
| West Virginia | $22.00 | $45,507 |
| Wisconsin | $25.71 | $53,474 |
| Wyoming | $24.76 | $51,495 |
Factors Influencing HVAC Technician Salaries
Several factors influence the earning potential of HVAC technicians:
- Expertise: Years of experience, type of training (apprenticeships often lead to higher pay), certifications, and job responsibilities all play a role.
- Geographic Location: Salaries tend to be higher in larger cities and areas with higher cost of living, strong local economies and high demand for HVAC services. State and regional regulations can also affect pay scales.
- Education Level: Degrees, specialized training, certificates, and licenses can increase earning potential.
- Type of Employer: The size and type of company (corporation, family business, etc.) and the industry (construction, technology, healthcare, etc.) can also impact salary.
HVAC Job Outlook and Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% growth in HVAC technician jobs through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. An estimated 37,700 job openings are expected each year. This demand is driven by new construction, the need to replace aging HVAC systems, and evolving environmental regulations. The retirement of baby boomers from the HVAC workforce is also creating more job opportunities.
Several states are projected to have significant increases in demand for HVAC technicians and installers through 2030:
| State | Percentage of Increased Need |
|---|---|
| Utah | 46% |
| Arizona | 31% |
| Idaho | 31% |
| Colorado | 30% |
| Montana | 25% |
| Texas | 21% |
| Nevada | 21% |
| New York | 20% |
| Iowa | 20% |
| Washington | 19% |
| Massachusetts | 19% |
| North Dakota | 18% |
| Florida | 15% |
| Wyoming | 15% |
| California | 14% |
| North Carolina | 13% |
| New Mexico | 13% |
| Rhode Island | 13% |
| Tennessee | 12% |
| Connecticut | 12% |
Can HVAC Techs Earn Six Figures?
While not typical for entry-level positions, earning a six-figure salary as an HVAC technician is achievable. This requires significant experience, specialized skills, certifications, and often working in a high-demand area.
Highest-Paying HVAC Jobs
HVAC offers diverse career paths beyond traditional maintenance and installation, including sales, engineering, and research.
ZipRecruiter identifies the following as some of the highest-paying HVAC roles for 2024:
| Job Title | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Thermal Engineer | $80,000 – $129,000 |
| Project Manager | $80,000 – $112,000 |
| Sales Representative | $59,500 – $110,000 |
| CFD Engineer | $85,500 – $110,000 |
| Engineer | $58,500 – $106,500 |
| Design Engineer | $85,000 – $100,000 |
| Estimator | $59,500 – $94,500 |
| Residential Service Technician | $53,000 – $90,000 |
| Manager | $58,000 – $87,500 |
| Engineering Technician | $50,000 – $83,000 |
Conclusion
Understanding HVAC technician salaries is crucial for both job seekers and HVAC business owners. Factors such as experience, location, and specialization all influence earning potential. With a growing demand for skilled HVAC professionals, a career in this field can be financially rewarding.
