All You Need To Know About HVAC Technician Salary In 2023
The weather is unpredictable, especially with the extreme US climate and global warming. Your HVAC technicians work very hard to make customers’ home environment comfortable and keep it running smoothly, whether in the Arctic tundra climate of Alaska or the tropical weather in Hawaii! Their work is nothing short of magic that makes your consumers live happily in their abode, and they should be remunerated accordingly. Employees in the HVAC industry have a wide range of years of experience, specializations, corporate tasks, and even living expenses.
This article will explore how much an HVAC technician makes on average across America, the average annual salary, and the average hourly wages across multiple states. We will also cover the different types of HVAC technicians, their wages, and the top 10 states with the highest salary for HVAC technicians.
The information provided can come in handy for newcomers and senior technicians alike!
We at ZenHVAC have created a knowledge vault for plumbing contractors and technicians like yourself. Head to our website for more informative articles to enhance your business knowledge.
ZenHVAC field service management software can also streamline and optimize your workflow to generate growth and more revenue for your business!
Book a FREE demo today to start streamlining your workflow!
The Average Salary Of An HVAC Technician
The HVAC industry looks after all HVAC system brands’ service, repair, and maintenance. So, HVAC technicians have their work cut out for them. This brings us to the question: How much does an HVAC Technician make in the United States? The average salary for an HVAC tech in the U.S. is $57,391 annually, with $6,250 overtime per year and a 401k benefits package.
Suppose you are starting with an HVAC/R apprenticeship. In that case, the position allows individuals to learn the skills required for the commercial HVAC/R installation and service trade while working in a full-time paid employment position. You can also get on-the-job training from experienced HVAC journey-level technicians and company-provided structured apprenticeship training classes. They allow apprentices to earn wages alongside a certification. Most HVAC/R apprenticeships are four or five years, with employees receiving an increasing wage at regular intervals, often every six months or a year.
HVAC Technician Average Salary Per Hour
Across the United States, the average hourly wage for HVAC technicians is $28.63. The expected salary varies according to your level of experience, industry, the need for HVAC technicians in your area, and the typical pay rate in your state.
The state with the highest hourly wage is Denver. There, an HVAC technician’s hourly wage averages $30.50.
However, with a per-hour wage of $18.77, Alabama has the lowest average hourly wage, according to job listings.
Master HVAC Technician Salary
We always ensure that the HVAC specialist we pick for our residential or business project has the training and expertise to work on HVAC systems. Certifications issued by professional organizations in the HVAC business are among the better markers of technician proficiency.
Pay scales increase for those with greater qualifications and experience. A few requirements to fulfill to become a master HVAC technician include finishing an HVAC apprenticeship program offered by a trade school. The four-year programs involve classroom and on-the-job training, but each state may have different requirements. Some HVAC technician credentials that demonstrate technical proficiency, adherence to industry standards, and high levels of expertise are included below.
- State or Local Licensing
- NATE Certification
- HVAC Excellence Certification
- HVAC Quality Installation Standard
- EPA 608 Certification
After passing any of these exams, you may be able to become a master HVAC technician, depending on your state’s requirements.
According to the data, the median salary for a master HVAC technician with seven or more years of experience is $85,100. Master HVAC technicians can earn a variety of wages. In Arizona, the 10th percentile senior HVAC technician makes $49,600 annually, while the 90th percentile earns $74,000.
Different Types Of HVAC Technicians
COMMERCIAL
For-profit service Technicians are prepared to operate in various environments and perform seasonal system maintenance. The tasks include fixing, repairing, or replacing all pumps, refrigeration equipment, pneumatic valves, electric valves, heat transfer equipment, ventilation, and air distribution equipment by prints, specifications, diagrams, or other instructions. They also include fixing, repairing, or replacing worn or defective parts. Additionally, they adjust thermostats to maintain proper temperatures, check pipe or tubing joints or connections for leaks using pressure gauges, fix walk-in coolers and freezers to guarantee they are operating at safe temperatures, test electrical circuits or components, make necessary repairs, as well as assess the energy usage of HVAC/R systems and offer recommendations to increase efficiency.
The average commercial HVAC technician salary in the US is $61463 annually.
RESIDENTIAL
Technicians provide the customer with a high-quality experience while working with minimal supervision, diagnosing and repairing a wide range of residential heating and air conditioning systems by business standards.
Residential Service Technicians fix heating and cooling system issues by displaying technical proficiency and good communication skills by probing the right lifestyle questions. Along with improving the problem, they inform and help clients by outlining choices for outdated, ineffective, or underperforming systems. To guarantee repeat business, excellent customer interactions are essential. They must keep their job site tidy, organized, and well-stocked. Service technicians frequently have residential HVAC installation knowledge.
The average annual pay for an HVAC Technician Residential Job in the US is $56456.
HVAC Technician Salary By State
A high and low benchmark for the wage HVAC techs can expect to earn based on their location can be obtained by examining the earnings range in all states. The comprehensive information is also available here. The lowest average hourly wage in several states is $7.25. (the minimum wage base salary). At $81.85 per hour, Hawaii has the highest average hourly wage.
Here is a list of states and their hourly and yearly HVAC technician salaries.
A high and low benchmark for the wage HVAC techs can expect to earn based on their location can be obtained by examining the earnings range in all states. The comprehensive information is also available here. The lowest average hourly wage in several states is $7.25. (the minimum wage base salary). At $81.85 per hour, Hawaii has the highest average hourly wage.
Here is a list of states and their hourly and yearly HVAC technician salaries.
Top 10 US States With The Highest HVAC Technician Salaries
Which states pay the most for HVAC service technicians? This is a question you could have if you’re new to the HVAC industry. What is the average salary for the top 10% of HVAC technicians? And more.
Following are some of the highest HVAC technician salary paying states, the highest mean annual and hourly wages for HVAC services:
Senior HVAC Technician Salary
An early career HVAC Technician with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₹203,473 based on nine salaries. A mid-career HVAC Technician with 5-9 years of experience earns an average compensation of ₹306,000 based on eight salaries.
Ways To Increase Your Salary
1. YOU SHOULD GAIN MORE EXPERIENCE.
Your chances of earning more money increase with your level of expertise. Generally, beginner HVAC technicians earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually than those with ten or more years of expertise.
2. CHANGE INDUSTRIES
The amount of money an HVAC technician makes annually might vary greatly depending on the industry in which they operate. For instance, HVAC technicians in the construction sector often make more money than those in the hospitality or industrial sectors.
3. ALTERNATE CORPORATIONS
Where an HVAC technician works can also affect their compensation. You can increase your income as an HVAC tech by researching HVAC service jobs and the average salary of HVAC technicians at various companies.
4. SHIFT TO A DIFFERENT PLACE.
You can test your trade abilities in several cities or states. Here, you can make more money as an HVAC technician using the above information.
5. OBTAINING HIGHER EDUCATION
Once you’ve accumulated enough HVAC service experience, you can decide to pursue more HVAC training degrees. You must sit for the state exams to become a certified master HVAC technician before you may earn a master’s degree. Master HVAC technicians can significantly boost their income by working as project managers or starting their own HVAC service companies.
6. OBTAINING HIGHER EDUCATION
Recognizing and taking advantage of changes boosts business income and technician earning potential. You would need to assume a warm, approachable, and convincing demeanor.
Related Jobs With The Same Or More Pay
Given how quickly the industry grows, an HVAC firm or an HVAC profession could be lucrative. If you are planning to begin your HVAC apprenticeship and need an overview of apprentice HVAC technician salaries, competitive salaries, or help to figure out the income you should expect as you advance in your profession, this information can be helpful.
This data can be an additional source of information for someone who has worked in the business for a while and is knowledgeable about HVAC service management software, keeping them up to date with current statistics.
FAQs
How Much Money Do HVAC Technicians Make?
HVAC technicians make an average of $27 by the hour which adds up to an average of about $55k annually in different areas of America. The average can change as you move to different cities and states and the real cost is calculated more upon the actual demand for technicians at the time.
How Much Do AC Techs Make?
AC technicians make about the same amount of money that HVAC technicians make as there’s not too much of a difference in the services that they provide.
It would be the same as an average of $27 by the hour, which would add up to about $55K annually. This of course is an average and will change according to the location and the demand for the service (seasonal changes) in different areas.
Do HVAC Technicians Make Enough To Live Comfortably?
Like any job, HVAC technicians earn an average salary that can sum up to a comfortable living situation, as long as they do their jobs well. Even though the average is around $55k, a well-experienced technician can make much more, leading to a more-than-comfortable life.
Does Having a NATE Certification Improve Salary Ranges For HVAC Technicians?
A NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certificate is an opportunity for technicians to be looked upon as more certified individuals for HVAC jobs and services.
This, in turn, can not only improve their range for salary but also the number of prospective jobs that they can land, because customers trust HVAC technicians with a NATE certification more than one without it.
Their average salary can increase to about $65K annually, with the advantage of a NATE certificate with them, as it increases their credibility and they can increase their rates due to holding it.
