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HVAC tech: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$61,010median pay per year, or $29.33 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $40,050lowest 10% earn less
  2. $48,36025th percentile
  3. $61,010median
  4. $77,06075th percentile
  5. $95,210top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

The median HVAC tech earned $61,010 a year in May 2025, above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 10.9% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+10.9%[3]
Openings per year
40,600[5]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[6]

How much do HVAC techs make?

BLS files this job under the title Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. In May 2025 the median wage was $61,010 a year, or $29.33 an hour[1]. Half of workers made more than that and half made less. The mean (average) wage was $64,780 a year, or $31.14 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations was $50,980[2]. So the HVAC tech median was higher[1][2].

Pay varies a lot across the range:

Point in the range Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][8] $40,050 $19.25
25th percentile[4][8] $48,360 $23.25
Median[1] $61,010 $29.33
75th percentile[4][8] $77,060 $37.05
90th percentile[4][8] $95,210 $45.78

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $40,050, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $95,210[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $84,390, followed by Alaska at $77,430 and Illinois at $77,410[11]. DC had only 400 jobs, so it is a small market[11]. Massachusetts ($77,300) and Connecticut ($76,610) came next[11]. At the other end, Arkansas had the lowest median at $48,110[11].

The most jobs were in Florida (39,160), California (35,130) and Texas (34,730)[12]. New York (24,430) and Pennsylvania (15,880) followed[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Anchorage, AK had the highest median at $85,620[13]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,050) and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($80,100) came next[13].

The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 21,820, with a median of $77,990[14]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington had 10,910 jobs and a median of $59,560[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$84,390400
Alaska$77,430610
Illinois$77,4109,740
Massachusetts$77,3008,200
Connecticut$76,6103,800
Minnesota$76,3504,200
Washington$75,6607,370
North Dakota$74,490970
New Jersey$74,45010,330
New York$74,43024,430
New Hampshire$73,8502,560
California$72,56035,130
Maryland$70,0208,560
Rhode Island$67,3701,450
Hawaii$65,4501,300
Colorado$65,2008,940
Maine$63,1702,250
Oregon$62,9403,980
Ohio$62,51014,150
Pennsylvania$62,40015,880
Delaware$62,3201,730
Vermont$62,150970
Wisconsin$61,7106,630
South Dakota$61,3901,610
Michigan$60,85012,590
Montana$60,8501,230
Iowa$60,6803,840
Nevada$60,5104,170
Kansas$60,4603,770
Indiana$60,4308,530
Missouri$59,9507,220
Nebraska$59,8503,020
Virginia$59,73014,690
Arizona$59,40010,860
Utah$58,7305,580
Louisiana$58,6505,380
Kentucky$58,6205,100
Texas$57,76034,730
Oklahoma$57,5605,650
North Carolina$57,26015,230
Florida$56,67039,160
South Carolina$56,6106,920
Georgia$56,39012,290
Idaho$56,2404,550
Tennessee$55,4909,740
Wyoming$54,700690
New Mexico$50,2701,950
West Virginia$48,8501,690
Mississippi$48,6802,700
Alabama$48,3708,260
Arkansas$48,1104,960

How to become an HVAC tech

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education. It lists no work experience in a related job and long-term on-the-job training[6]. Some people enter with less education[15].

1) Take a training program[16]. Technical schools and community colleges offer programs in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration. Most programs take between 6 months and 2 years, and graduates earn a certificate or an associate's degree[16]. Some employers consider candidates with a high school diploma. Students are advised to take vocational education, math and physics[17]. 2) Learn on the job[18]. New hires usually work next to experienced technicians. They start with basic tasks like insulating refrigerant lines or cleaning furnaces, then move to harder work like soldering pipes or checking electrical circuits[18]. 3) Or join an apprenticeship[19]. Some technicians train this way. It usually lasts several years, with paid on-the-job training and some technical instruction each year[19]. 4) Get certified to handle refrigerants[20]. The EPA requires nearly all HVAC technicians to hold this certification. It involves passing an exam, which is typically part of a postsecondary HVACR program[20]. 5) Check local licensing[21]. Some states and localities require a license. CareerOneStop has information on state licensing boards[21].

Manufacturer and industry certifications also exist. Many are optional, though some employers prefer or require certain ones[22]. A driver's license may be needed to reach jobsites[23].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, which means medium preparation is needed[24]. BLS describes the training period as lengthy[15].

Skills named by BLS include friendly and punctual customer service[25], careful record keeping[26] and math for calculating load requirements[27].

What HVAC techs do

HVAC techs install or repair heating, central air conditioning and refrigeration systems[28]. Typical tasks reported by O*NET include:

Workers report job titles such as HVAC installer, HVAC service tech and refrigeration mechanic[30].

Where they work

HVAC techs work in homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings. They may go to one jobsite or visit several locations in a day to make service calls[31]. In 2025, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors employed 68% of workers[32]. About 6.3% were self-employed[33].

The work is mostly indoors, though some repairs happen outside in any weather. Techs often work in cramped or awkward spaces[34].

BLS reports that HVAC technicians have injury and illness rates among the highest of any occupation. Hazards include burns and muscle strains from heavy equipment[35]. Refrigerants are hazardous, so safety gear is needed[36].

Full-time work is typical. Schedules can include evenings, weekends and on-call hours, with overtime or irregular hours in peak heating and cooling seasons[37].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 10.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 440,900 to 489,100 jobs[3]. That is a gain of 48,200 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[38]. These projection counts include the self-employed[3].

BLS projects about 40,600 openings a year on average[5]. Openings also come from workers who retire or switch occupations, not just from new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.7% of workers leave the labor force and 5% move to a different occupation[39].

OEWS counted 409,670 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[40]. The projection count is higher because it is a different measure that includes the self-employed[3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay above the all-occupations median[1][2] and growth above the all-occupations rate[3][38]. Entry can come through a program lasting 6 months to 2 years[16] or through an apprenticeship lasting several years[19]. On-the-job training is long[6]. The work involves travel between customer sites, cramped spaces, possible irregular hours and a high injury and illness rate[31][34][35][37]. Pay and job counts differ a lot by state, so local numbers matter[11][12].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[41].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an HVAC tech make an hour?
The median wage was $29.33 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $19.25 and the 90th was $45.78[8].
How long does it take to become an HVAC tech?
Training programs generally last 6 months to 2 years[16]. Apprenticeships usually last several years[19]. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training[6].
Do you need a degree to be an HVAC tech?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical, and some people enter with less education[6][15]. Programs lead to a certificate or an associate's degree[16].
Is HVAC in demand?
BLS projects 10.9% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 40,600 openings a year[3][38][5].
What is the highest paying state for HVAC techs?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $84,390[11]. Alaska ($77,430) and Illinois ($77,410) followed[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in the US was $61,010 per year and $29.33 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers is projected to grow 10.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 440,900 to 489,100 jobs (a change of +48,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: 10th percentile $40,050, 25th percentile $48,360, 75th percentile $77,060, 90th percentile $95,210. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 40,600 openings for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers was $64,780 per year and $31.14 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: 10th percentile $19.25, 25th percentile $23.25, 75th percentile $37.05, 90th percentile $45.78. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs: Florida 39,160; California 35,130; Texas 34,730; New York 24,430; Pennsylvania 15,880. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Anchorage, AK $85,620; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $82,050; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $80,100; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $79,510; Peoria, IL $78,710; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $78,640; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $78,530; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,490. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 21,820 (median $77,990); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 10,910 (median $59,560); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,720 (median $73,830); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 9,140 (median $58,040); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 8,730 (median $71,920); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 8,610 (median $64,580). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 49-9021.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 49-9021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: AC Mechanic (Air Conditioner Mechanic), AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician), HVAC Control Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Control Technician), HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer), HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic), HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician), HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician), Refrigeration Mechanic. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2025: Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 68%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 6.3% of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: 2.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  40. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 409,670 people were employed as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  41. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.