If you’re considering joining the HVAC industry, you may be wondering what you’re likely to earn. Although there is no clear answer, this article is going to break down the figures for you. According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for an HVAC technician was $49,242 by May 5, 2022. This figure is likely to change depending on various factors as you’re going to discover.
The current state of the HVAC industry
During the coronavirus pandemic, there was an extreme shortage of workers in the HVAC industry. There was clear evidence that HVAC technicians are essential workers in locations such as Las Vegas where temperatures reached over 100. Professional HVAC technicians are in high demand to meet the demand for residents to live comfortably in their homes and workplaces.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2021 indicated that demand for professionals in the industry is likely to grow to four percent by 2029. Air Conditioning Refrigeration News attributes the growth in the industry to the adoption of HVAC systems as part of the Internet of Things. More homeowners are now investing in smart homes that rely heavily on the IoT.
Installations for HVAC systems require skilled personnel and equipment is now more sophisticated. HVAC systems are an integral feature of smart homes as system components are now automated. There is great demand for skilled HVAC technicians to install, repair, and maintain these systems.
Here’s our guide to the HVAC salary across the various states and how much you’re likely to make.
HVAC Salary State By State
Your location plays a big role in your earning potential. In Alaska, HVAC techs earn the highest average salary at about $56,700 annually. Missouri pays the lowest average annual salary at $37,300.
Here’s a breakdown of the HVAC pay scale by state using statistics from Indeed.com last updated on January 21, 2022.
US State | Average hourly earnings | Average daily earnings | Average weekly earnings | Average monthly earnings | Average annual earnings |
Alabama | $20.36 | $211 | $747 | $2,890 | $40,818 |
Alaska | $29.57 | $306 | $1,085 | $4,197 | $59,283 |
Arkansas | $21.57 | $223 | $791 | $3,062 | $43,248 |
California | $28.36 | $294 | $1,040 | $4,025 | $56,854 |
Colorado | $26.66 | $276 | $978 | $3,784 | $53,452 |
Connecticut | $30.3 | $314 | $1,111 | $4,300 | $60,741 |
Delaware | $30.54 | $316 | $1,120 | $4,334 | $61,227 |
Florida | $22.54 | $233 | $827 | $3,199 | $45,191 |
Georgia | $23.76 | $246 | $871 | $3,371 | $47,621 |
Hawaii | $21.82 | $226 | $800 | $3,096 | $43,734 |
Idaho | $20.60 | $213 | $756 | $2,924 | $41,304 |
Illinois | $24.97 | $259 | $916 | $3,543 | $50,051 |
Indiana | $23.27 | $241 | $853 | $3,302 | $46,649 |
Iowa | $23.51 | $243 | $862 | $3,337 | $47,135 |
Kansas | $20.36 | $211 | $747 | $2,890 | $40,818 |
Kentucky | $22.79 | $236 | $836 | $3,234 | $45,677 |
Louisiana | $24.48 | $254 | $898 | $3,474 | $40,079 |
Maine | $22.30 | $231 | $818 | $3,165 | $44,706 |
Maryland | $28.12 | $291 | $1031 | $3,990 | $56,368 |
Massachusetts | $28.60 | $296 | $1,049 | $4,059 | $57,340 |
Michigan | $24.24 | $251 | $889 | $3,440 | $48,593 |
Minnesota | $25.69 | $266 | $942 | $3,646 | $51,509 |
Mississippi | $23.27 | $241 | $853 | $3,302 | $46,649 |
Missouri | $20.36 | $211 | $747 | $2,890 | $40,818 |
Montana | $23.03 | $238 | $845 | $3,268 | $46,163 |
Nebraska | $22.06 | $228 | $809 | $3,130 | $44,220 |
Nevada | $23.27 | $241 | $853 | $3,302 | $46,649 |
New Hampshire | $23.03 | $238 | $845 | $3,268 | $46,163 |
New Jersey | $25.45 | $264 | $933 | $3,612 | $51,023 |
New York | $24.48 | $254 | $898 | $3,474 | $49,079 |
New Mexico | $24.00 | $248 | $880 | $3,406 | $48,107 |
North Carolina | $22.54 | $233 | $827 | $3,199 | $45,191 |
North Dakota | $24.72 | $256 | $907 | $3,509 | $49,565 |
Ohio | $24.72 | $256 | $907 | $3,509 | $49,565 |
Oklahoma | $20.60 | $213 | $756 | $2,924 | $41,304 |
Oregon | $24.24 | $251 | $889 | $3,440 | $48,593 |
Pennsylvania | $24.72 | $256 | $907 | $3,509 | $49,565 |
Rhode Island | $27.88 | $289 | $1,022 | $3,956 | $55,882 |
South Carolina | $22.79 | $236 | $836 | $3,234 | $45,677 |
South Dakota | $21.57 | $223 | $791 | $3,062 | $43,248 |
Tennessee | $21.82 | $226 | $800 | $3,096 | $43,734 |
Texas | $22.79 | $236 | $836 | $3,234 | $45,677 |
Utah | $25.69 | $266 | $942 | $3,646 | $51,509 |
Vermont | $23.76 | $246 | $871 | $3,371 | $49,565 |
Virginia | $25.69 | $266 | $942 | $3,646 | $51,509 |
Washington | $26.66 | $226 | $800 | $3,096 | $53,452 |
West Virginia | $20.85 | $216 | $765 | $2,958 | $41,790 |
Wisconsin | $25.69 | $266 | $942 | $3,646 | $51,509 |
Wyoming | $23.03 | $238 | $845 | $3,268 | $46,163 |
How to choose a state for your HVAC business
There are other things to keep in mind when selecting the best state to locate your HVAC business. Find out how much people pay for heating and cooling in your state of interest. This will give you an estimate of the cost of the HVAC systems and whether the residents can afford them.
Locations like Texas where temperatures may become more demanding in the summer require more HVAC professionals. Your area of residence also plays a significant role in the demand for HVAC services. It also determines the potential HVAC journeyman salary. The costs of living, the number of people in your area, and the state of the construction industry will determine the demand for HVAC services and income.
Cities With The Highest HVAC Salaries In Every State
After seeing the potential HVAC apprentice salary in each state, you have to know which cities pay the highest. Cities with various construction projects and various industries have more demand for HVAC services. Below are some of the 9 cities that pay HVAC technicians the highest.
City | Average hourly | Average daily | Average weekly | Average monthly | Average annually |
New York, New York | $33.81 | $350 | $1,240 | $4,798 | $67, 765 |
Phoenix, Arizona | $24.90 | $257 | $913 | $3,533 | $49,899 |
Austin, Texas | $24.39 | $252 | $894 | $3,461 | $48,882 |
Tampa, Florida | $24.24 | $251 | $889 | $3,440 | $48,587 |
Houston, Texas | $24.07 | $249 | $883 | $3,415 | $48,239 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | $23.87 | $247 | $876 | $$3,388 | $47,852 |
San Antonio, Texas | $23.14 | $239 | $849 | $3,284 | $46,385 |
Las Vegas, Nevada | $22.65 | $$234 | $$831 | $$3,215 | $45,402 |
Orlando, Florida | $$21.87 | $$226 | $$802 | $$3,103 | $$43,832 |
Although big cities command higher rates, there’s great potential to earn a sizable income in smaller cities too.
What Determines The Salaries Of HVAC Technicians?
HVAC technicians are responsible for installing and maintaining HVAC systems. According to Salary.com, the average salary for a HVAC technician was $46,344 by April 26, 2022. The salary scale usually ranges from $39724 to $54894.
The HVAC engineer salary depends on various factors including level of experience, education, and additional skills. Let’s go through these in detail below.
Experience in the industry
Having more years of experience increases the earning potential.Here’s how the experience level determines HVAC average salary according to the BLS.
Years in the industry Potential HVAC pay
0 to 1 $41,716
1 to 4 $49,762
5 to 9 $62,325
10 to 19 $75,302
20+ $94,575
Location
The earning potential of an HVAC tech depends a lot on your location. Some states employ more HVAC professionals than others for various reasons. These include evolving environmental regulations, retrofitting or replacing old systems, and new construction projects fueling the demand for HVAC services.
Top states that have more demand for HVAC professionals include:
Arizona
Residents in Arizona need cooling systems since the location is hot and dry. Additionally, agriculture is the backbone of Arizona’s economy. This creates a need for cold storage facilities and refrigerated transportation.
More so, there is an increase in the manufacturing of electronics and communication components. The manufacturing facilities require special climatic-control systems. The population of Arizona has many people over 65 years who move in and require more accommodation creating demand for HVAC professionals.
Florida
Just like Arizona, Florida also relies on agriculture which creates demand for refrigeration services. Additionally, many people move to Florida from colder locations in the north leading to a boost in the construction of residential homes. More so, the economy of the state depends on tourism. This creates a need for hospitality projects that need climate-control systems.
Washington
The western part of the state is gray, chilly, and rainy while the eastern part has hot summers, coldness in winter, and usually dry most parts of the year. Washington’s diverse economy encourages agriculture, tech, and engineering industries. The presence of companies like Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon creates the need for specialized HVAC systems to keep equipment operating at appropriate temperatures
Take a look at some of the major cities and their average salaries for HVAC technicians according to the BLS.
City Average earnings
San Francisco, California $89,145
Seattle, Washington $85,260
Baltimore, Maryland $79,760
New York City, New York $79,316
Minneapolis, New York $78,578
Miami, Florida $53,466
Tampa Bay, Florida $53,232
Nashville, Tennessee $52,717
Birmingham, Alabama $52,413
Charlotte, North Carolina $50,494
Education Level
Your level of training also affects HVAC tech salaries. Completing a training program is a must before joining the HVAC industry. The available training options for HVAC technicians include:
Getting a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree will give you the necessary skills to comply with environmental laws. The degree also equips you with knowledge of HVAC building codes and regulations such as city, state, and federal procedures.
This training also makes you able to inspect, design, test, and maintain HVAC systems, read specifications and blueprints, and estimate costs. A bachelor’s degree also gives you the knowledge to install HVAC systems, improve energy efficiency, undertake appropriate climate control, and repair dangerous leaks.
An Associate’s Degree
This degree will equip you with knowledge about how to service HVAC systems. You get knowledge to install, service, diagnose, and fix related issues in the control mechanism including pneumatics, relays, and ethernet controls.
An HVAC associate’s degree also covers:
- Troubleshooting
- Thermal comfort
- Psychometrics
- Air distribution
- Indoor air quality
- American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards
Online Certificate Programs
You may also undertake an online certification program in HVAC installation and repair or systems design. Training to learn how to install and repair prepares you for entry-level positions in the industry. It costs about 320 credit hours including about 16 courses. After receiving online certification, you may undertake the North American Technician Excellence Certification Examination.
An online certification program for HVAC design requires completing 4 to 5 courses. You may also need engineering experience or a bachelor’s degree. Completing this program comes with a competitive salary, a company car, reimbursement for advanced training, and bonuses.
Your level of training determines how much you’re to earn. Having a degree and certification makes you liable to earn more than having a high school diploma or apprenticeship training. Advanced education makes you able to handle complex equipment. It also makes you able to fix various HVAC systems leading to higher pay.
Residential vs commercial jobs
HVAC technicians primarily work on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The job includes working indoors and outdoors for residential or commercial properties. Every HVAC job comes with a particular pay scale.
Commercial and industrial HVAC jobs usually pay more for handling huge systems that require specialized skills and working longer hours. These require handling HVAC systems for large establishments like hospitals, hotels, schools, and corporate offices.
Residential jobs include working for residential homes and apartment complexes. These usually pay hourly while commercial jobs pay for your skills. Handling more commercial jobs means getting more money in your pockets.
Job Category
The work of all HVAC technicians is not the same. There are different career choices for HVAC technicians. All HVAC technicians may operate similar equipment but with different complexity levels. Your technician job title and experience in the industry determine the equipment to operate on. And, this has a significant impact on how much does HVAC makes.
Here is a comparison of the average salary for HVAC technicians according to Indeed.com.
Job | Average hourly | Average daily | Average weekly | Average month | Average annually |
HVAC Installer | $23.07 | $239 | $1,182 | $4,574 | $64,598 |
Service Technician | $18.93 | $196 | $1,059 | $4,100 | $57,902 |
HVAC Mechanic | $24.56 | $254 | $707 | $2,738 | $38,666 |
Refrigeration Technician | $24.48 | $253 | $1,073 | $4,152 | $58,636 |
AC Technician | $22.38 | $231 | $1,064 | $4,119 | $58,171 |
Skills
According to PayScale, you may earn an extra bonus of about $242–$5,000 if you have additional skills as a technician. HVAC systems are different and require the possession of different skills to tend to them. Fortunately, there are training programs that allow you to develop various skills in the industry.
Possession of the right skills and qualities makes you stand out from other HVAC technicians.
Here are the top skills that increase your earning potential
- Programmable logic controllers (PLC) – $31.86/hour
- Project management – $26/hour
- Sales – $24.77/hour
- Geothermal energy – $22.23/hour
- Commercial – $21.83/hour
FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding HVAC salary and how much you’re likely to make.
How much does an HVAC technician make per hour?
The average pay for HVAC tech per hour varies from $15 to $30. Indeed.com says it is $24.92, Zippia.com says it is $23.76 and $23.67 an hour according to Ziprecruiter. This pay depends on experience, location, the type of job, and specialty.
Do HVAC technicians make good money?
Yes, HVAC techs make good money. The annual salary for HVAC techs is $48,730 or $23.43 hourly according to the BLS. And, your earning potential increases with experience and getting additional skills.
What cities have the highest HVAC technician salaries?
Data from BLS in April 2022 revealed that in the South-East Alabama non-metropolitan area, Alabama pays HVAC techs the highest with $94,000 annually. Fairbanks, Alaska follows with an annual salary of $76,590.
How do HVAC technician salaries compare with those in other trades?
According to Salary.com, the average salary for plumbers was $59,843, that of electricians was from $45490 to $77560, and that of an HVAC technician’s salary was $46344 by April 26, 2022. Keep in mind that the average salary varies depending on several factors such as experience, level of training, and type of job.
Earn More From Your HVAC Business With A Field Management App
HVAC technicians have a lot to handle including managing orders, and invoices, and communicating with staff in the field. Handling these the old-school way drains resources and energy. Fortunately, you can use Field Complete, a field management software with an app to simplify managing your HVAC business.
Schedule a free demo today to see how Field Complete can help you get started in the HVAC industry
