How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make? Salaries by State (2026)
HVAC pay varies more by state and license status than almost any other factor. Here is what technicians actually earn, state by state, and what moves the number.
The national picture
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers at $59,810 as of May 2024, with projected job growth of roughly 8 percent from 2024 to 2034. That growth rate is much faster than the average across all occupations, driven by a wave of retirements: industry estimates suggest five technicians retire for every two who enter the field.
Average HVAC salaries by state
State averages below come from state wage data and are estimates; they will vary by metro, employer, overtime, and specialization. Click any state for its full licensing guide.
| State | Avg. HVAC salary | Typical path length |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $76,400 | 5 yrs |
| California | $73,900 | 4 yrs |
| Washington | $73,100 | 2 yrs |
| Massachusetts | $72,800 | 3 yrs |
| Connecticut | $69,200 | 4 yrs |
| Oregon | $66,100 | 4 yrs |
| Maryland | $65,000 | 4 yrs |
| Minnesota | $64,400 | 0 yrs |
| Colorado | $59,800 | 4 yrs |
| Michigan | $59,600 | 3 yrs |
| Iowa | $59,490 | 3 yrs |
| Virginia | $59,400 | 4 yrs |
| Nevada | $59,230 | 4 yrs |
| Kentucky | $58,620 | 2 yrs |
| Wisconsin | $58,400 | 4 yrs |
| Delaware | $57,500 | 4 yrs |
| Ohio | $57,200 | 5 yrs |
| Utah | $56,200 | 2 yrs |
| South Carolina | $55,260 | 2 yrs |
| Arizona | $55,200 | 4 yrs |
| Texas | $53,200 | 4 yrs |
| Georgia | $52,800 | 4 yrs |
| Idaho | $52,500 | 4 yrs |
| New Mexico | $51,500 | 2 yrs |
| North Carolina | $51,400 | 2 yrs |
| Tennessee | $50,700 | 3 yrs |
| Louisiana | $50,500 | 0 yrs |
| Florida | $50,100 | 4 yrs |
| Oklahoma | $50,000 | 3 yrs |
| Arkansas | $48,500 | 2 yrs |
| Alabama | $48,370 | 2 yrs |
| West Virginia | $46,000 | 1 yrs |
| Mississippi | $45,500 | 0 yrs |
More states publish weekly. The pattern across markets is consistent: states with cooling-dominated climates and strict licensing tend to pay above the national line, and licensed technicians and contractors out-earn unlicensed helpers everywhere.
What actually moves the number
Three levers matter more than geography. License level: a licensed contractor who can pull permits and bid work typically earns 30 to 60 percent more than an installer on the same jobs. Specialization: commercial refrigeration, controls, and building automation command premium rates over residential service. Overtime and season: peak-season overtime commonly adds $10,000 to $15,000 in strong markets.
The bottom line
HVAC offers something increasingly rare: a path from paid training to a mid-five-figure income in about two to four years with little or no tuition debt, and a contractor ceiling well into six figures. Find your state on the map and see exactly what the path looks like where you live.
Requirements in your state
This guide covers the picture across states. For the license itself, the hours, the exam, the fees, and the realistic timeline, start with your own state.
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