BLS SOC 49-9021 · Skilled Trades
HVAC Technician Salary
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They diagnose issues, service equipment, and ensure systems meet energy efficiency standards.
Data: BLS OEWS · 2026
National Median
$57,467
annual
25th Percentile
$44,250
annual
75th Percentile
$73,558
annual
90th Percentile
$91,947
annual
National Salary Distribution
P25: $44,250Median: $57,467P75: $73,558P90: $91,947
1
Top Paying Cities for HVAC Technician
Ranked by median annual salary
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $79,000 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $77,000 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $76,000 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $70,000 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $68,000 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $68,000 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $65,000 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $63,000 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $63,000 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $61,000 |
2
Best After Cost of Living
Salary adjusted for cost of living (US avg = $100k)
| # | City | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | $55,556 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $55,056 |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $54,945 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $54,444 |
| 5 | Raleigh, NC | $54,369 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $54,206 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $54,206 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $53,398 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $52,679 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $51,852 |
3
HVAC Technician Salary — All Cities
All 30 metro areas, sorted by median salary
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $60,830 | $79,000 | $101,120 | $126,400 | 130,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $59,290 | $77,000 | $98,560 | $123,200 | 145,000 |
| New York, NY | $58,520 | $76,000 | $97,280 | $121,600 | 170,000 |
| Boston, MA | $53,900 | $70,000 | $89,600 | $112,000 | 105,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $52,360 | $68,000 | $87,040 | $108,800 | 120,000 |
| Washington, DC | $52,360 | $68,000 | $87,040 | $108,800 | 112,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $50,050 | $65,000 | $83,200 | $104,000 | 60,000 |
| Austin, TX | $48,510 | $63,000 | $80,640 | $100,800 | 95,000 |
| Portland, OR | $48,510 | $63,000 | $80,640 | $100,800 | 50,000 |
| Denver, CO | $46,970 | $61,000 | $78,080 | $97,600 | 70,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $45,430 | $59,000 | $75,520 | $94,400 | 87,500 |
| Chicago, IL | $44,660 | $58,000 | $74,240 | $92,800 | 87,500 |
| Houston, TX | $44,660 | $58,000 | $74,240 | $92,800 | 70,000 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $43,890 | $57,000 | $72,960 | $91,200 | 55,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $43,120 | $56,000 | $71,680 | $89,600 | 75,000 |
| Raleigh, NC | $43,120 | $56,000 | $71,680 | $89,600 | 55,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $42,350 | $55,000 | $70,400 | $88,000 | 62,500 |
| Miami, FL | $41,580 | $54,000 | $69,120 | $86,400 | 55,000 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $41,580 | $54,000 | $69,120 | $86,400 | 45,000 |
| Nashville, TN | $40,810 | $53,000 | $67,840 | $84,800 | 45,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | $40,040 | $52,000 | $66,560 | $83,200 | 50,000 |
| Richmond, VA | $40,040 | $52,000 | $66,560 | $83,200 | 35,000 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $38,500 | $50,000 | $64,000 | $80,000 | 35,000 |
| Columbus, OH | $38,500 | $50,000 | $64,000 | $80,000 | 40,000 |
| Detroit, MI | $37,730 | $49,000 | $62,720 | $78,400 | 37,500 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $37,730 | $49,000 | $62,720 | $78,400 | 37,500 |
| Louisville, KY | $34,650 | $45,000 | $57,600 | $72,000 | 25,000 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $33,880 | $44,000 | $56,320 | $70,400 | 22,500 |
| Memphis, TN | $33,110 | $43,000 | $55,040 | $68,800 | 20,000 |
| El Paso, TX | $30,800 | $40,000 | $51,200 | $64,000 | 15,000 |
Top Skills for HVAC Technician
Refrigerant HandlingElectrical SystemsHVAC DesignTroubleshootingEPA 608 Certification