As a business owner, understanding industry trends is essential to help you make smart choices for your company, especially in a highly competitive industry like HVAC. One such trend is HVAC technician salaries. Employee salary affects your bottom line, profit margin, and influences how large the talent pool is when hiring new employees.
The demand for certified HVAC technicians is growing, which means the national average pay is also growing. Sera is a field service management software (FSM) for contractors that helps them supercharge their business with straightforward tools to streamline operations and manage financial gaps. By providing industry insights, we can help you reach your business goals, grow your business, and expand your profits. Learn more about the projected salary and job market outlook for 2025 with this in-depth guide.
According to PayScale, the median salary for an HVAC service tech in the United States in 2025 is $23.36 per hour. However, this rate is based on several factors, including experience and location. This data also reveals the following national trends for the HVAC field service tech average salary:
While these are projected numbers, you can earn additional income through overtime, side jobs, and bonuses. Other factors can affect how much you make, including:
Where you work significantly impacts your salary. HVAC technicians who work in states with higher living costs or where HVAC services are in demand earn more than technicians in other states. For example, if you are an entry-level technician in a higher-wage state, you may earn more than an intermediate technician in a state with a lower projected salary. Additionally, you earn more if you work in a large city than if you work in a smaller town in the same state.
The top five states with the highest potential earnings are California, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York. With the cost of living being more expensive, these states pay higher wages for every worker. For entry-level technicians, these states have an annual salary greater than the national average. You can tentatively expect to earn the following:
There are also states with a lower cost of living, where wages across the board in every industry are lower than in other states. These states are West Virginia, Mississippi, Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Dakota. While entry-level technicians may make less than the national average, there are still opportunities for salary growth through ongoing education, promotions, and experience. On average, HVAC technicians in these states earn the following:
In addition to your location, your salary as a technician is affected by your experience and the skillset you develop. As you gain knowledge about cutting and soldering pipes, sales, or electrical circuit maintenance, your marketability increases. You can also get a bump in your salary by going to school or earning additional certifications, such as:
These certifications provide you with better job opportunities, which can lead to higher pay. Additionally, with specialized skills and more experience, you can advance to higher-paying supervisory roles, including service manager, lead technician, journeyman, or operations manager.
With a new job title, your annual projected salary increases. If you’re just starting, you can expect to earn around $54,000 per year, with the average salary expected to increase by 3.44% every year. After two to four years as a technician, you’ll become an intermediate technician. For this level of technician, the average salary sees a 3.46% increase annually. In 2025, the projected salary for intermediate technicians is $65,700.
Salary projections for senior technicians and HVAC supervisors also increase yearly, with salaries jumping by 3.62% and 3.53%, respectively. With four to seven years of experience, senior technicians have an average salary of $77,200 nationally. After seven years in the industry, you can become a supervisor. With this role, the average salary in the United States is $90,800.
HVAC technicians have a high earning potential, making it one of the most rewarding careers, especially for those who want to pursue a trade instead of going to college. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for full-time HVAC technicians is comparable to or slightly lower than that of plumbers and electricians. However, variations occur based on your location and experience.
Nationally, plumbers and electricians earn a median annual salary of approximately $60,000, while an average HVAC technician’s salary is around $50,000. If you live in an area with a higher cost of living and a high demand for skilled labor, you can earn more. Additionally, you can also earn more if you hold certain certifications, do industrial or commercial HVAC work, or are employed by a large company or one with specialized projects. You can also earn extra income through overtime work or during peak seasons.
The benefits of being an HVAC technician extend beyond the great pay. Other perks make having an HVAC job an attractive option, including:
HVAC technician jobs are always in steady demand. By 2033, BLS predicts this sector will grow by at least 9%. This means that now is the right time to start optimizing your business. As the number of residential and commercial buildings continues to grow, HVAC technicians are extremely valuable. Additionally, as older buildings are being updated to fit modern standards and new homes are being built, air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration systems need to be installed.
Every state needs skilled HVAC service technicians. People across the United States need technicians to keep their air conditioning and heat running all year. While some states, such as California and New York, pay higher wages, you can still make a good living in other states.
While automation is a big concern for those in the manufacturing and trade industries, the HVAC industry will be protected. As the HVAC sector advances, technicians will still need to be a part of the building and installation process. Additionally, most homes and commercial buildings have an HVAC system, so technicians are needed to perform regular preventative maintenance.
As an HVAC technician, your primary role is to improve a system’s efficiency. When a system is working properly, the building’s environment is more comfortable, resulting in an increased quality of life for those who live or work there. Furthermore, as technology improves, your job will be to install dehumidifiers, heat pumps, and energy-saving thermostats to reduce carbon emissions. When you upgrade existing systems, you’ll also have a positive impact on the environment.
HVAC technicians receive extensive training on the job, especially entry-level ones. As you work under an upper-level technician, you’ll start to gain essential skills, which opens the doors to potentially higher earnings and job promotions. The more skills you acquire and the more experience you have, the higher your salary will be. Additionally, as you become more experienced and gain specialized skills, you’ll be able to start your own contracting business, further improving your potential earnings.
Whether you’re an entry-level technician or have years of experience under your belt, researching high-paying cities where demand for HVAC experts is strong can help increase your earning potential. In the United States, these cities include:
These cities often pay more money because the cost of living in these areas is higher. For example, if you’re an entry-level HVAC tech in Detroit, Michigan, your average wage is around $58,000 per year. According to Bankrate’s cost of living calculator, to have the same standard of living in Seattle, you’ll need to make $81,500. However, the average annual salary of entry-level techs in Seattle is only $59,200.
HVAC technicians have a range of salaries, and there are several ways to increase your chances of earning more money.
Each certification you attain increases your salary potential. There are several you can earn, including:
The HVAC industry is constantly evolving. Innovative technologies and practices are introduced every year, and understanding these new developments can increase your potential salary. These trends include:
As you gain more experience and knowledge, you’ll be given opportunities to interact with and meet new customers. Learning how to market your skills and instill confidence in your customers can help you close a sale. Experienced sales techs typically make more money than installation and service techs due to commission.
Additionally, as you progress in your career, you’ll start to manage new employees. By improving your management skills, you’ll be able to lead teams effectively, allowing you to further advance your career and start your own.
As an HVAC technician, you play a key role in everyday comfort. The salary trends in 2025 and beyond reflect your value. With an average salary range between $50,000 and $91,000 and the growing demand for skilled technicians, the future is promising for HVAC professionals. Whether you’re just starting in the field or have your own business, understanding salary trends is essential.
For entry-level technicians, being informed about trends helps you increase your earning potential through certifications and seeking out high-paying locations. For business owners, understanding salary trends can help you optimize your operations and hiring strategies.
Sera’s field service management software helps HVAC businesses reach their organizational goals by streamlining hiring strategies, invoicing, payroll, and operations, which saves valuable time and money. To learn how to increase your profitability, contact us today to schedule a demo.