HVAC Technician Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers" (49-9021); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They diagnose issues, service equipment, and ensure systems meet energy efficiency standards.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for HVAC Technician
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $80,100 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $78,530 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $78,490 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $77,990 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $77,960 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $77,490 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $74,880 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $73,830 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $71,920 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $71,580 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | 103.6 | $75,255 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $73,925 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $72,534 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $72,076 |
| 5 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $69,286 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $67,890 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $67,667 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | 95.5 | $67,498 |
| 9 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $66,925 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | 90.4 | $66,499 |
HVAC Technician Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $62,360 | $80,100 | $101,190 | $129,390 | 3,940 |
| Boston, MA | $61,740 | $78,530 | $97,270 | $103,050 | 6,050 |
| San Francisco, CA | $61,930 | $78,490 | $101,870 | $129,380 | 3,980 |
| New York, NY | $61,350 | $77,990 | $93,340 | $108,780 | 21,820 |
| Chicago, IL | $61,050 | $77,960 | $96,790 | $117,940 | 7,210 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $60,350 | $77,490 | $92,670 | $100,660 | 2,420 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,330 | $74,880 | $91,690 | $113,990 | 3,210 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $58,220 | $73,830 | $83,490 | $109,010 | 10,720 |
| Washington, DC | $57,670 | $71,920 | $89,240 | $105,180 | 8,730 |
| Denver, CO | $59,080 | $71,580 | $90,390 | $104,880 | 4,360 |
| Portland, OR | $60,170 | $65,260 | $81,350 | $98,810 | 2,580 |
| Columbus, OH | $49,030 | $64,440 | $80,870 | $100,590 | 3,000 |
| Detroit, MI | $48,240 | $63,170 | $80,780 | $95,610 | 5,740 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $49,990 | $62,160 | $87,880 | $98,740 | 3,080 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,300 | $62,140 | $74,320 | $92,710 | 2,680 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $47,430 | $61,170 | $74,880 | $83,180 | 8,070 |
| Austin, TX | $49,070 | $60,820 | $74,810 | $92,180 | 3,140 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $47,580 | $60,790 | $75,370 | $83,200 | 2,540 |
| Nashville, TN | $48,480 | $60,270 | $71,330 | $91,170 | 3,500 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $44,970 | $60,120 | $72,960 | $83,530 | 2,120 |
| Charlotte, NC | $47,950 | $59,840 | $69,770 | $79,210 | 3,860 |
| Dallas, TX | $47,860 | $59,560 | $74,270 | $84,880 | 10,910 |
| Richmond, VA | $47,220 | $59,130 | $65,710 | $78,620 | 2,700 |
| Atlanta, GA | $47,530 | $58,970 | $74,690 | $82,740 | 7,060 |
| Houston, TX | $47,040 | $58,940 | $73,900 | $83,120 | 7,680 |
| Louisville, KY | $48,220 | $58,930 | $68,210 | $78,740 | 1,890 |
| Raleigh, NC | $47,480 | $58,900 | $65,350 | $77,830 | 2,550 |
| Miami, FL | $48,440 | $58,040 | $72,580 | $80,220 | 9,140 |
| Memphis, TN | $47,350 | $56,780 | $72,480 | $87,650 | 1,740 |
| El Paso, TX | $36,920 | $47,270 | $57,570 | $72,600 | 790 |
5About the HVAC Technician Role
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They diagnose issues, service equipment, and ensure systems meet energy efficiency standards.
Compensation for HVAC Technicians varies by metro — from $47,270 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $80,100 in Seattle, WA. The $32,830 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see hvac technician salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average HVAC Technician salary in the US?
The national median HVAC Technician salary is $61,010 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $48,360 and the 90th percentile reaches $95,210.
Which city pays HVAC Technicians the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, Seattle, WA has the highest median wage for HVAC Technicians at $80,100 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Boston, MA ($78,530) and San Francisco, CA ($78,490) are next.