Wages
HVAC Technician Pay in the US in 2026: Wages in All 50 States
Updated October 31, 2026
In the United States, the median wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) is $29.33 an hour (BLS, data from May 2025). Pay depends on the state and the metro area. The tables below give wages for every state and DC, and for the metro areas with the most HVAC technicians.
What do HVAC technicians earn in the US?
The first two tables give the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wages across the United States, by the hour and by the year. BLS counts these workers as heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Half of them earn more than the median, and half earn less.
Sources4
HVAC technician wages across the United States
Yearly HVAC technician pay across the United States
Which states pay HVAC technicians the most?
In the state table, District of Columbia has the highest median, and Arkansas has the lowest. The table also gives the 10th and 90th percentiles for each state, beside the median. The yearly table after it gives the same states in yearly pay.
Sources4
HVAC technician wages in all 50 states and DC
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) · Hourly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.56[4] | $23.26[4] | $31.58[4] |
| Alaska | $23.36[4] | $37.23[4] | $50.55[4] |
| Arizona | $18.25[4] | $28.56[4] | $38.54[4] |
| Arkansas | $17.81[4] | $23.13[4] | $33.31[4] |
| California | $22.57[4] | $34.88[4] | $52.44[4] |
| Colorado | $23.18[4] | $31.35[4] | $49.83[4] |
| Connecticut | $21.77[4] | $36.83[4] | $48.15[4] |
| Delaware | $21.64[4] | $29.96[4] | $46.93[4] |
| District of Columbia | $24.01[4] | $40.57[4] | $52.04[4] |
| Florida | $18.45[4] | $27.24[4] | $37.60[4] |
| Georgia | $17.78[4] | $27.11[4] | $38.05[4] |
| Hawaii | $20.73[4] | $31.47[4] | $47.80[4] |
| Idaho | $18.59[4] | $27.04[4] | $38.84[4] |
| Illinois | $22.45[4] | $37.21[4] | $56.51[4] |
| Indiana | $19.45[4] | $29.05[4] | $47.02[4] |
| Iowa | $20.69[4] | $29.17[4] | $41.48[4] |
| Kansas | $20.99[4] | $29.07[4] | $40.14[4] |
| Kentucky | $18.65[4] | $28.18[4] | $38.47[4] |
| Louisiana | $17.77[4] | $28.20[4] | $37.60[4] |
| Maine | $22.64[4] | $30.37[4] | $39.47[4] |
| Maryland | $22.20[4] | $33.67[4] | $51.32[4] |
| Massachusetts | $24.44[4] | $37.16[4] | $49.23[4] |
| Michigan | $19.33[4] | $29.26[4] | $45.81[4] |
| Minnesota | $23.18[4] | $36.71[4] | $48.09[4] |
| Mississippi | $17.39[4] | $23.41[4] | $36.65[4] |
| Missouri | $18.84[4] | $28.82[4] | $42.68[4] |
| Montana | $20.14[4] | $29.26[4] | $39.05[4] |
| Nebraska | $20.93[4] | $28.77[4] | $39.00[4] |
| Nevada | $19.73[4] | $29.09[4] | $43.15[4] |
| New Hampshire | $22.85[4] | $35.51[4] | $46.70[4] |
| New Jersey | $23.09[4] | $35.79[4] | $56.03[4] |
| New Mexico | $17.97[4] | $24.17[4] | $36.43[4] |
| New York | $23.35[4] | $35.78[4] | $48.40[4] |
| North Carolina | $18.16[4] | $27.53[4] | $37.10[4] |
| North Dakota | $22.41[4] | $35.81[4] | $45.22[4] |
| Ohio | $18.57[4] | $30.06[4] | $47.26[4] |
| Oklahoma | $17.33[4] | $27.67[4] | $38.30[4] |
| Oregon | $22.59[4] | $30.26[4] | $45.44[4] |
| Pennsylvania | $22.10[4] | $30.00[4] | $43.00[4] |
| Rhode Island | $18.32[4] | $32.39[4] | $50.04[4] |
| South Carolina | $18.83[4] | $27.22[4] | $36.31[4] |
| South Dakota | $23.28[4] | $29.51[4] | $36.15[4] |
| Tennessee | $18.53[4] | $26.68[4] | $39.23[4] |
| Texas | $18.32[4] | $27.77[4] | $39.36[4] |
| Utah | $18.06[4] | $28.24[4] | $38.70[4] |
| Vermont | $24.17[4] | $29.88[4] | $44.77[4] |
| Virginia | $19.12[4] | $28.72[4] | $40.11[4] |
| Washington | $23.47[4] | $36.38[4] | $57.86[4] |
| West Virginia | $17.38[4] | $23.49[4] | $34.92[4] |
| Wisconsin | $22.08[4] | $29.67[4] | $47.15[4] |
| Wyoming | $18.19[4] | $26.30[4] | $38.00[4] |
Yearly HVAC technician pay by state
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) · Yearly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,370[4] | $65,690[4] |
| Alaska | $77,430[4] | $105,140[4] |
| Arizona | $59,400[4] | $80,160[4] |
| Arkansas | $48,110[4] | $69,290[4] |
| California | $72,560[4] | $109,060[4] |
| Colorado | $65,200[4] | $103,640[4] |
| Connecticut | $76,610[4] | $100,160[4] |
| Delaware | $62,320[4] | $97,600[4] |
| District of Columbia | $84,390[4] | $108,240[4] |
| Florida | $56,670[4] | $78,210[4] |
| Georgia | $56,390[4] | $79,130[4] |
| Hawaii | $65,450[4] | $99,430[4] |
| Idaho | $56,240[4] | $80,780[4] |
| Illinois | $77,410[4] | $117,550[4] |
| Indiana | $60,430[4] | $97,800[4] |
| Iowa | $60,680[4] | $86,280[4] |
| Kansas | $60,460[4] | $83,500[4] |
| Kentucky | $58,620[4] | $80,020[4] |
| Louisiana | $58,650[4] | $78,210[4] |
| Maine | $63,170[4] | $82,090[4] |
| Maryland | $70,020[4] | $106,740[4] |
| Massachusetts | $77,300[4] | $102,410[4] |
| Michigan | $60,850[4] | $95,290[4] |
| Minnesota | $76,350[4] | $100,030[4] |
| Mississippi | $48,680[4] | $76,240[4] |
| Missouri | $59,950[4] | $88,760[4] |
| Montana | $60,850[4] | $81,230[4] |
| Nebraska | $59,850[4] | $81,110[4] |
| Nevada | $60,510[4] | $89,750[4] |
| New Hampshire | $73,850[4] | $97,140[4] |
| New Jersey | $74,450[4] | $116,550[4] |
| New Mexico | $50,270[4] | $75,770[4] |
| New York | $74,430[4] | $100,680[4] |
| North Carolina | $57,260[4] | $77,160[4] |
| North Dakota | $74,490[4] | $94,060[4] |
| Ohio | $62,510[4] | $98,310[4] |
| Oklahoma | $57,560[4] | $79,660[4] |
| Oregon | $62,940[4] | $94,520[4] |
| Pennsylvania | $62,400[4] | $89,440[4] |
| Rhode Island | $67,370[4] | $104,080[4] |
| South Carolina | $56,610[4] | $75,530[4] |
| South Dakota | $61,390[4] | $75,190[4] |
| Tennessee | $55,490[4] | $81,590[4] |
| Texas | $57,760[4] | $81,860[4] |
| Utah | $58,730[4] | $80,500[4] |
| Vermont | $62,150[4] | $93,110[4] |
| Virginia | $59,730[4] | $83,420[4] |
| Washington | $75,660[4] | $120,360[4] |
| West Virginia | $48,850[4] | $72,640[4] |
| Wisconsin | $61,710[4] | $98,070[4] |
| Wyoming | $54,700[4] | $79,050[4] |
Which metro areas pay HVAC technicians the most?
The table lists the 20 metro areas with the most HVAC technicians, by name. Among them, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has the highest median, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL has the lowest. Before you move, compare the metro area with its state in the state table.
Sources4
HVAC technician wages in the 20 metro areas with the most technicians
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) · Hourly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $18.42[4] | $28.35[4] | $39.78[4] |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $21.65[4] | $30.38[4] | $49.67[4] |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $24.46[4] | $37.75[4] | $49.54[4] |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $19.29[4] | $28.77[4] | $38.08[4] |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $22.82[4] | $37.48[4] | $56.70[4] |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $19.37[4] | $28.63[4] | $40.81[4] |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $23.56[4] | $34.41[4] | $50.43[4] |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $20.60[4] | $30.37[4] | $45.97[4] |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $18.65[4] | $28.34[4] | $39.96[4] |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $22.40[4] | $35.49[4] | $52.41[4] |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $19.00[4] | $27.90[4] | $38.57[4] |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $24.37[4] | $37.50[4] | $52.30[4] |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $18.28[4] | $24.74[4] | $37.43[4] |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $21.88[4] | $31.05[4] | $48.46[4] |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $18.37[4] | $29.41[4] | $39.99[4] |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $22.48[4] | $30.92[4] | $46.11[4] |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $23.64[4] | $37.73[4] | $62.20[4] |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $24.70[4] | $38.51[4] | $62.21[4] |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $19.05[4] | $24.30[4] | $36.20[4] |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $22.56[4] | $34.58[4] | $50.57[4] |
Prevailing wage rates compared with the median
On public works, state and city rules set a rate for each trade. The list below gives the rates for HVAC service work in San Francisco and for refrigeration and air conditioner mechanics in New York City. To compare a rate with the BLS median, find the metro area in the metro table. Keep two points in mind. Each public-works rate is for one classification, and the BLS median covers all HVAC technicians in the area. The public-works schedules are dated 2026, and the BLS medians are for May 2025.
Published prevailing wage rates for HVAC work
- San Francisco prevailing wage for air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) service work: $94.00 an hour, or a total of $149.76 an hour, from August 22, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[1]
- New York City prevailing wage for a refrigeration and air conditioner mechanic (maintenance and installation service): $48.35 an hour plus $23.46 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[2]
- On New York City public works, a refrigeration and air conditioner mechanic gets time and a half after an 8-hour day and on Saturday, and double time on Sunday.[2]
How much do apprentice HVAC technicians earn?
Public-works schedules also set a rate for each apprentice year. The list below gives the New York City rate for each year of a refrigeration and air conditioner apprenticeship.
Sources3
New York City refrigeration and air conditioner apprentice prevailing wages, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
- First-year refrigeration and air conditioner apprentice in New York City: $23.39 an hour plus $15.35 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[3]
- Second-year refrigeration and air conditioner apprentice in New York City: $28.25 an hour plus $16.91 in supplemental benefits.[3]
- Third-year refrigeration and air conditioner apprentice in New York City: $32.91 an hour plus $18.53 in supplemental benefits.[3]
- Fourth-year refrigeration and air conditioner apprentice in New York City: $39.75 an hour plus $20.73 in supplemental benefits.[3]
Before you move for HVAC work
Check these points before you take a job in another state.
- Compare the metro median in the metro table, not only the state figure.
- Ask whether the job is on a public-works or union contract. The prevailing-wage list above gives rates for two places.
- Ask whether a quoted rate is base pay or a total package. The San Francisco total includes employer payments.
- Ask how overtime is paid. The prevailing-wage list above gives the New York City rule.
- If you are an apprentice, ask which year you start in. The New York City list above gives a rate for each year.
How to read these figures
BLS gives percentiles for each place. The 10th percentile is the wage that 10 percent of these workers earn less than. The 90th percentile is the wage that 10 percent earn more than. All BLS figures on this page are for May 2025. A cell that says No published figure has no BLS figure for that place.
Questions and answers
How much does an HVAC technician make a year?
The yearly table gives the national figures. The yearly state table gives them for each state and DC.
How much does an HVAC technician make in Texas?
Texas is in the state table. For a Texas city, look for its metro area in the metro table.
How much does an HVAC technician make in Florida?
Florida is in the state table. For a Florida city, look for its metro area in the metro table.
Do union HVAC technicians earn more?
No source on this page compares union and non-union pay directly. The prevailing-wage list gives public-works rates for San Francisco and New York City. Compare a rate with the state or metro median in the tables.
Can Werko match me with a US HVAC job?
No. Werko matches trades workers in Canada now. You can join the US waitlist on this page.
Sources
- General Prevailing Wage Determination SFR-2026-2, San Francisco
California Department of Industrial Relations (Office of the Director - Research Unit). Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Construction Worker Prevailing Wage Schedule, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Office of the Comptroller, City of New York (Bureau of Labor Law). Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Construction Apprentice Prevailing Wage Schedule, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Office of the Comptroller, City of New York (Bureau of Labor Law). Retrieved October 31, 2026
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 31, 2026