Life is expensive, and getting more so by the day.
Insurance premiums climb, eggs start feeling like a luxury, and with fuel prices rising, you might be seriously considering trading in for a small car just to keep up.
With all these pressures, it’s no surprise we’re constantly checking salary comparisons and wondering where our careers could take us. That’s why at Darwin Recruitment, we’ve pulled data from our own job listings and trusted online sources to give HVAC professionals a clear view of the salary landscape, helping you see where you stand, uncover better opportunities, and step into negotiations from a stronger position.
Ready to sink into the data (and find out where you’re job hunting first)? Here are the facts:
What HVAC Technicians Really Earn: Average Salaries Across the U.S.
By compiling data from reputable sources, which use user-submitted salaries, employer job postings, labour market reports, and surveys, we’ve calculated the average annual HVAC salaries by state:
| State | Average Yearly Salary (Rounded Off) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $ 47,000 - $ 52,000 |
| Alaska | $ 61,000 - $ 76,000 |
| Arizona | $ 48,000 - $ 55,000 |
| Arkansas | $ 38,500 - $ 53,000 |
| California | $ 58,000 - $ 66,000 |
| Colorado | $ 57,000 - $ 67,000 |
| Connecticut | $ 56,000 - $ 69,000 |
| Delaware | $ 54,000 - $ 63,000 |
| Florida | $ 44,000 - $ 54,000 |
| Georgia | $ 47,000 - $ 55,500 |
| Hawaii | $ 61,000 - $ 62,000 |
| Idaho | $ 47,000 - $ 55,000 |
| Illinois | $ 53,500 - $ 62,000 |
| Indiana | $ 48,500 - $ 59,000 |
| Iowa | $ 49,000 - $ 57,000 |
| Kansas | $ 48,000 - $ 57,000 |
| Kentucky | $ 48,000 - $ 58,000 |
| Louisiana | $ 48,000 - $ 52,500 |
| Maine | $ 49,000 - $ 62,500 |
| Maryland | $ 57,000 - $ 64,500 |
| Massachusetts | $ 61,500 - $ 71,500 |
| Michigan | $ 49,500 - $ 59,000 |
| Minnesota | $ 57,500 - $ 63,500 |
| Mississippi | $ 40,000 - $ 56,000 |
| Missouri | $ 48,000 - $ 57,000 |
| Montana | $ 48,000 - $ 65,000 |
| Nebraska | $ 48,000 - $ 58,000 |
| Nevada | $ 57,000 - $ 60,000 |
| New Hampshire | $ 57,000 - $ 68,500 |
| New Jersey | $ 60,000 - $ 62,500 |
| New Mexico | $ 49,000 - $ 57,000 |
| New York | $ 61,000 - $ 71,000 |
| North Carolina | $ 47,500 - $ 58,500 |
| North Dakota | $ 60,500 - $ 68,500 |
| Ohio | $ 49,000 - $ 61,000 |
| Oklahoma | $ 47,000 - $ 57,000 |
| Oregon | $ 57,000 - $ 65,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $ 48,500 - $ 60,000 |
| Rhode Island | $ 57,500 - $ 72,500 |
| South Carolina | $ 43,000 - $ 57,500 |
| South Dakota | $ 47,000 - $ 59,000 |
| Tennessee | $ 46,500 - $ 55,000 |
| Texas | $ 48,000 - $ 57,000 |
| Utah | $ 47,500 - $ 59,000 |
| Vermont | $ 59,500 - $ 62,000 |
| Virginia | $ 59,000 - $ 63,000 |
| Washington | $ 60,000 - $ 70,000 |
| West Virginia | $ 45,500 - $ 49,000 |
| Wisconsin | $ 57,000 - $ 59,000 |
| Wyoming | $ 49,000 - $ 59,000 |
Wondering if You Can Afford These States? Check With Us
Another major factor to consider when moving states is the cost of living. A higher salary doesn’t always mean more money in your pocket; if rent, food, and utilities are significantly higher, the benefit can disappear fast.
That’s where we can help. Our cost of living calculator makes it easy to compare cities side by side, so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Our Research: HVAC Technician Salaries Revealed
Our data on current roles aligns closely with our research, while also highlighting the upper range of earnings. For example, HVAC technician salaries start around $ 52,000, but some employers are prepared to offer as much as $ 110,000 a year for the right candidate.
Beyond location, the main factors influencing pay potential include:
- Seniority and years of experience
- Company size
- Scope of duties and responsibilities
The Highest Paying HVAC Roles You Should Know About
Sometimes, moving to a similar role in a new state isn’t enough. If you’re looking to leverage your skills, experience, and qualifications to earn more, these are some of the highest-paying HVAC roles to consider:
1. Senior HVAC Technician/Supervisor
A technician at this level of experience oversees teams, manages projects, and ensures systems are installed and maintained to the highest standards. A lot of hands-on experience along with supervisory or team-lead experience is needed here.
2. HVAC Design Engineer
For this role, you’ll need to plan and design heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems for commercial and industrial projects.
Remember: strong technical knowledge and problem-solving skills drive higher pay.
For this role, you may need a tertiary qualification such as a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or HVAC Design. You’ll also need proficiency in CAD software, knowledge of building codes, and a professional engineering (PE) license for advanced roles.
3. HVAC Project Manager
You’ll be responsible for coordinating large-scale HVAC projects from start to finish, managing budgets, timelines, and client expectations. High responsibility often comes with top-tier compensation.
Of course, you’ll need a good amount of experience in the field. In addition, a project management certification (PMP or equivalent) wouldn’t hurt, strong leadership skills (naturally), and familiarity with building codes and compliance standards.
Behind the Paycheck: HVAC Commissions & Bonuses
HVAC professionals are in high demand. As a result, many companies will offer competitive benefits to get and keep exceptional talent. There are a number of ways this is typically structured. You may find that companies offer:
- Various benefits. We’re talking about health insurance or retirement plans. Many will even often you a company vehicle to use.
- Performance-based commission structures based on upsells, service calls completed, or results from customer service surveys.
- “Flat-commission”, meaning earnings based on the revenue of each job.
What 2026 Means for HVAC Professionals and the Industry
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for HVAC professionals is projected to grow by 8% between 2024 and 2034. This growth is being driven by:
- Ongoing construction and infrastructure upgrades,
- The need to maintain and replace aging HVAC equipment across residential, commercial, and industrial settings,
- And the fact that a large portion of the current workforce is close to retirement. This will create wage pressure – a positive for professionals in the field.
Is There Anything HVAC Professionals Should Learn to “Stay Relevant”?
Conversations between executives today involve a lot of buzzwords, not limited to but undoubtedly including “AI” and “automation”. A lot of businesses are looking at new technologies, staying relevant, and how to do things faster.
And it goes without saying, but the HVAC industry is not one that is stagnant.
If you’re looking for a way to earn more, but perhaps don’t see yourself moving into a leadership or managerial roles we mentioned earlier, then a great way to do this is by developing a strong understanding of newer systems.
For example, by upskilling in computer programming, you could combine those skills with your existing HVAC expertise to design complete smart HVAC systems – including phone app integration and other advanced features.
Another major push these days is green energy. Technicians with a speciality in high-efficiency equipment will find themselves standing out from the competition.
Don’t Miss Out on Great Jobs In the US
At Darwin Recruitment, we make job searching simple. Browse open roles directly on our website, use filters and keyword search, and quickly find opportunities that match your skills and goals.
