HVAC Technician
Keep the world comfortable.
Median Salary
$57,300
Apprenticeship
3–5 years
Union Presence
Moderate
Physical Demand
Moderate
Job Demand
Very High
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Climate control is no longer a luxury — with extreme weather becoming more frequent, HVAC is one of the fastest-growing trades in the country.
What HVAC Technicians Earn
National data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
25th Percentile
$41,020
Entry level
Median
$57,300
Mid-career
75th Percentile
$75,040
Experienced
90th Percentile
$93,210
Top earners
Salary by State
Teal bars = above national median · Blue bars = below national median · Source: BLS OEWS
Career Path
From day one to running your own operation
HVAC/R Apprentice or Trainee
$32,000–$45,000Years 0–3
Learn the trade through a union apprenticeship, trade school, or on-the-job training with a licensed contractor. EPA 608 refrigerant certification is required to handle refrigerants.
HVAC Technician
$50,000–$72,000Years 3–8
Work independently on residential and commercial installs and service calls. Commercial refrigeration and building automation system (BAS) skills push wages higher.
Senior Tech / Lead Installer
$68,000–$90,000Years 6–12
Lead install crews, handle complex commercial systems, or specialize in building controls. Many techs at this level also move into sales engineering.
HVAC Contractor
$85,000–$200,000+Years 8+
Get your contractor's license and start your own HVAC company. Residential replacement work has extremely high margins and repeat customers.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Climate change is driving explosive demand for HVAC everywhere
- ✓Shorter path to full wages than electrical or plumbing
- ✓Service work means year-round employment in most markets
- ✓Multiple specializations: residential, commercial, refrigeration, controls
- ✓Strong self-employment potential with relatively low startup costs
Challenges
- ✕Physical work in tight attic and crawl spaces is common
- ✕Seasonal demand spikes (summer A/C, winter heating) create busy and slow periods
- ✕Refrigerant regulations require ongoing certification updates
- ✕Outdoor work in extreme heat and cold comes with the territory
How to Get Started
Step-by-step path into the hvac technician trade
- 1
Start with an HVAC program at a community college or trade school — programs run 6 months to 2 years and are widely available.
Find HVAC programs → - 2
Or apply directly to a SMART union local (smartunion.org) for a paid apprenticeship — many locals cover HVAC installation and service.
Browse union apprenticeships → - 3
Get your EPA 608 certification — required by federal law before you can handle refrigerants. It's a one-day exam.
Prep for EPA 608 → - 4
Find an HVAC contractor willing to bring on an entry-level tech. Most are actively hiring — the shortage is significant.
Find hiring HVAC contractors → - 5
Once working, pursue NATE certification (nate.org) to stand out and access higher-paying commercial service work.
Get the Free HVAC Technician Salary Guide
Median wages for hvac technicians across all 50 states, pulled directly from BLS data. Free, no strings.