How much HVAC and refrigeration technicians make
Average pay $64,780, median $61,010, entry-level / bottom 10% $40,050 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers put in, service and repair the climate-control and refrigeration systems in homes, offices, stores and plants. Most train through a certificate program or an apprenticeship, and those who handle refrigerants need EPA Section 608 certification.
- $64,780Average pay (U.S.)
- $40,050Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $61,010Median pay (U.S.)
- $95,210Top 10% earn over
409,670 jobs nationwide · 3,476 listed programs in 52 states. Average pay across all experience levels (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Job outlook: +10.9% projected employment change 2025–35 (all occupations: +3.5%), about 40,600 openings a year (BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, released 2026-08-27). See the outlook ↓
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. O*NET 49-9021.00.
Highest-paying states (BLS median)
BLS wage data
What HVAC and refrigeration technicians earn
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, HVAC and refrigeration technicians in the United States earned an average of $64,780 a year, with a median of $61,010; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $40,050 and the top 10% earned more than $95,210.
Annual wages for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021) from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The national average is $64,780; the median is $61,010 and the entry-level / bottom 10% figure is $40,050 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $40,050 | $48,360 | $61,010 | $77,060 | $95,210 | $64,780 | 409,670 |
Job outlook
HVAC/R Technician job outlook, 2025–35
National employment projections from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, released 2026-08-27. Openings include jobs from growth plus workers who retire or change occupations. Across all occupations, employment is projected to change +3.5%.
| Occupation | Jobs 2025 | Projected 2035 | Change | Openings per year | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (49-9021) | 440,900 | 489,100 | +10.9% | 40,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Find training
Looking for a school or apprenticeship?
This page covers pay and job outlook. Our sister site RegisteredTradeSchools.com keeps the training directory for HVAC and refrigeration technicians: registered apprenticeship sponsors, how to apply, and school routes.
Training & tuition
What training costs
Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”
| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with published tuition (1425) | $544 | $4,872 | $56,160 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
| Registered apprenticeship sponsors (2032) | Contact program | Not published in the DOL file. Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs with related classroom instruction. | ||
Occupation profile
| O*NET-SOC code | 49-9021.00 |
|---|---|
| O*NET title | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
| BLS SOC | 49-9021 |
| Job zone | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | 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 |
Typical tasks (O*NET)
- Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
- Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
- Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
- Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
Programs
Featured hvac technician programs
8 of 3476 listed programs, schools with published tuition first. For the full training directory, see the Find training links above.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abcott Institute Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Southfield, MI | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 3 | $29,900 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
| Academy of Careers and Technology Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Beckley, WV | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $12,500 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
| Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Hackensack, NJ | Certificate (1-2 years) | 15 | $12,950 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
| Advanced Technology Institute Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Virginia Beach, VA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 22 | $14,960 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
| Advanced Technology Institute Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Virginia Beach, VA | Associate degree | 15 | $14,960 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
| Advantage Technical College Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician | Manati, PR | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 34 | $14,700 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 15.0501 |
| Aiken Technical College Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Graniteville, SC | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 4 | $5,300–$8,088 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
| Alamance Community College Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician | Graham, NC | Certificate (1-2 years) | 5 | $2,592–$8,736 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0201 |
By state
HVAC/R Technician pay and programs by state
Highest state medians:
| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 48 | $48,370 | $65,690 | 8,260 |
| Alaska | 48 | $77,430 | $105,140 | 610 |
| Arizona | 34 | $59,400 | $80,160 | 10,860 |
| Arkansas | 41 | $48,110 | $69,290 | 4,960 |
| California | 143 | $72,560 | $109,060 | 35,130 |
| Colorado | 32 | $65,200 | $103,640 | 8,940 |
| Connecticut | 270 | $76,610 | $100,160 | 3,800 |
| Delaware | 54 | $62,320 | $97,600 | 1,730 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $84,390 | $108,240 | 400 |
| Florida | 187 | $56,670 | $78,210 | 39,160 |
| Georgia | 66 | $56,390 | $79,130 | 12,290 |
| Guam | 0 | $40,110 | $69,830 | 240 |
| Hawaii | 2 | $65,450 | $99,430 | 1,300 |
| Idaho | 27 | $56,240 | $80,780 | 4,550 |
| Illinois | 66 | $77,410 | $117,550 | 9,740 |
| Indiana | 74 | $60,430 | $97,800 | 8,530 |
| Iowa | 182 | $60,680 | $86,280 | 3,840 |
| Kansas | 27 | $60,460 | $83,500 | 3,770 |
| Kentucky | 43 | $58,620 | $80,020 | 5,100 |
| Louisiana | 34 | $58,650 | $78,210 | 5,380 |
| Maine | 17 | $63,170 | $82,090 | 2,250 |
| Maryland | 22 | $70,020 | $106,740 | 8,560 |
| Massachusetts | 56 | $77,300 | $102,410 | 8,200 |
| Michigan | 60 | $60,850 | $95,290 | 12,590 |
| Minnesota | 29 | $76,350 | $100,030 | 4,200 |
| Mississippi | 27 | $48,680 | $76,240 | 2,700 |
| Missouri | 62 | $59,950 | $88,760 | 7,220 |
| Montana | 115 | $60,850 | $81,230 | 1,230 |
| Nebraska | 15 | $59,850 | $81,110 | 3,020 |
| Nevada | 12 | $60,510 | $89,750 | 4,170 |
| New Hampshire | 190 | $73,850 | $97,140 | 2,560 |
| New Jersey | 378 | $74,450 | $116,550 | 10,330 |
| New Mexico | 11 | $50,270 | $75,770 | 1,950 |
| New York | 43 | $74,430 | $100,680 | 24,430 |
| North Carolina | 115 | $57,260 | $77,160 | 15,230 |
| North Dakota | 11 | $74,490 | $94,060 | 970 |
| Ohio | 63 | $62,510 | $98,310 | 14,150 |
| Oklahoma | 36 | $57,560 | $79,660 | 5,650 |
| Oregon | 9 | $62,940 | $94,520 | 3,980 |
| Pennsylvania | 139 | $62,400 | $89,440 | 15,880 |
| Puerto Rico | 26 | $31,480 | $49,510 | 1,140 |
| Rhode Island | 124 | $67,370 | $104,080 | 1,450 |
| South Carolina | 37 | $56,610 | $75,530 | 6,920 |
| South Dakota | 8 | $61,390 | $75,190 | 1,610 |
| Tennessee | 50 | $55,490 | $81,590 | 9,740 |
| Texas | 142 | $57,760 | $81,860 | 34,730 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 0 | $45,030 | $68,490 | 70 |
| Utah | 19 | $58,730 | $80,500 | 5,580 |
| Vermont | 89 | $62,150 | $93,110 | 970 |
| Virginia | 119 | $59,730 | $83,420 | 14,690 |
| Washington | 24 | $75,660 | $120,360 | 7,370 |
| West Virginia | 10 | $48,850 | $72,640 | 1,690 |
| Wisconsin | 30 | $61,710 | $98,070 | 6,630 |
| Wyoming | 9 | $54,700 | $79,050 | 690 |
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FAQ
HVAC/R Technician pay and training: quick answers
How much do HVAC and refrigeration technicians make?
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, HVAC and refrigeration technicians in the United States earned an average of $64,780 a year, with a median of $61,010; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $40,050 and the top 10% earned more than $95,210.
What is entry-level pay for HVAC and refrigeration technicians?
BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $40,050 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The median is $61,010.
Which states pay HVAC and refrigeration technicians the most?
By BLS average annual wage, the top states are District of Columbia ($84,920), Alaska ($80,150), Washington ($78,860), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
How many hvac technician training programs are listed?
We list 3,476 in 52 states: 1,444 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (32,623 graduates that year) and 2,032 registered apprenticeship sponsors from the DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file. Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.
How much does hvac technician training cost?
For the 1425 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $544 to $56,160 (middle $4,872). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.
Is hvac technician a growing field?
BLS projects employment of HVAC and refrigeration technicians to change +10.9% from 2025 to 2035, versus +3.5% for all occupations, with about 40,600 openings a year from growth and replacement. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, released 2026-08-27.
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 49-9021.00 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.