How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make?
HVAC Technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes and businesses. Official pay data from the BLS May 2025 wage survey.
The median hvac technician salary is $61,010 per year — 20% above the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations. About 409,670 people work in this trade nationwide.
Pay by percentile
| Percentile | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,050 | Entry level / lowest-paid areas |
| 25th | $48,360 | Early career |
| 50th — median | $61,010 | The typical worker |
| 75th | $77,060 | Experienced |
| 90th | $95,210 | Top earners / highest-paid areas |
HVAC Technician salary by state
Median annual wage by state, highest first.
| # | State | Median wage | vs. national |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $84,390 | +38% |
| 2 | Alaska | $77,430 | +27% |
| 3 | Illinois | $77,410 | +27% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $77,300 | +27% |
| 5 | Connecticut | $76,610 | +26% |
| 6 | Minnesota | $76,350 | +25% |
| 7 | Washington | $75,660 | +24% |
| 8 | North Dakota | $74,490 | +22% |
| 9 | New Jersey | $74,450 | +22% |
| 10 | New York | $74,430 | +22% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $73,850 | +21% |
| 12 | California | $72,560 | +19% |
| 13 | Maryland | $70,020 | +15% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $67,370 | +10% |
| 15 | Hawaii | $65,450 | +7% |
| 16 | Colorado | $65,200 | +7% |
| 17 | Maine | $63,170 | +4% |
| 18 | Oregon | $62,940 | +3% |
| 19 | Ohio | $62,510 | +2% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $62,400 | +2% |
| 21 | Delaware | $62,320 | +2% |
| 22 | Vermont | $62,150 | +2% |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $61,710 | +1% |
| 24 | South Dakota | $61,390 | +1% |
| 25 | Michigan | $60,850 | +-0% |
| 26 | Montana | $60,850 | +-0% |
| 27 | Iowa | $60,680 | -1% |
| 28 | Nevada | $60,510 | -1% |
| 29 | Kansas | $60,460 | -1% |
| 30 | Indiana | $60,430 | -1% |
| 31 | Missouri | $59,950 | -2% |
| 32 | Nebraska | $59,850 | -2% |
| 33 | Virginia | $59,730 | -2% |
| 34 | Arizona | $59,400 | -3% |
| 35 | Utah | $58,730 | -4% |
| 36 | Louisiana | $58,650 | -4% |
| 37 | Kentucky | $58,620 | -4% |
| 38 | Texas | $57,760 | -5% |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $57,560 | -6% |
| 40 | North Carolina | $57,260 | -6% |
| 41 | Florida | $56,670 | -7% |
| 42 | South Carolina | $56,610 | -7% |
| 43 | Georgia | $56,390 | -8% |
| 44 | Idaho | $56,240 | -8% |
| 45 | Tennessee | $55,490 | -9% |
| 46 | Wyoming | $54,700 | -10% |
| 47 | New Mexico | $50,270 | -18% |
| 48 | West Virginia | $48,850 | -20% |
| 49 | Mississippi | $48,680 | -20% |
| 50 | Alabama | $48,370 | -21% |
| 51 | Arkansas | $48,110 | -21% |
Lifetime earnings potential
At today's median wage, here is what a career as a hvac technician adds up to (in constant 2025 dollars, before raises or promotions — a conservative floor, not a projection):
| Career length | At the median ($61,010/yr) | In the top 10% ($95,210/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $610,100 | $952,100 |
| 20 years | $1,220,200 | $1,904,200 |
| 30 years | $1,830,300 | $2,856,300 |
Reaching the top 10% instead of the median is worth $1,026,000 over a 30-year career — usually the gap between entry-level work and specialization, licenses, or high-paying states. Compare this trade against any other with the trade comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do hvac technicians make?
- The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $61,010 (BLS OES, May 2025). The middle 50% earn between $48,360 and $77,060.
- What do the top hvac technicians earn?
- The top 10% of hvac technicians earn $95,210 or more per year, while the bottom 10% earn $40,050 or less.
- Which state pays hvac technicians the most?
- District of Columbia has the highest published median at $84,390, followed by Alaska ($77,430) and Illinois ($77,410).