---
title: "HVAC/R Technician Salary & Job Outlook (May 2025)"
canonical: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/
description: "HVAC/R Technician pay: BLS average $64,780 (all experience levels), median $61,010, bottom 10% $40,050, top 10% $95,210+. Compare 3476 listed programs…"
updated: 2026-11-03
wage_source: "BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15"
---

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3. HVAC/R Technician

# 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.

- **$64,780** Average pay (U.S.)
- **$40,050** Entry-level / bottom 10%
- **$61,010** Median pay (U.S.)
- **$95,210** Top 10% earn over

409,670 jobs nationwide · 3,476 listed programs in 52 states. [Average pay across all experience levels (BLS OEWS May 2025)](https://highpayingtrades.com/methodology/).

**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](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)). [See the outlook ↓](#job-outlook)

Source: [BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). O\*NET 49-9021.00.

Highest-paying states (BLS median)

- [District of Columbia $84k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/district-of-columbia/)
- [Alaska $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/alaska/)
- [Illinois $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/illinois/)
- [Massachusetts $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/massachusetts/)
- [Connecticut $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/connecticut/)

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).

10th: $40k 25th: $48k Median: $61k 75th: $77k 90th: $95k

| 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 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. Hourly median $29.33.

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 |
Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, released 2026-08-27](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm), Table 1.2. Figures are national; BLS does not publish these projections by state in this table.

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.

[**HVAC apprenticeships and training** Apprenticeship sponsors and school routes by state · RegisteredTradeSchools.com](https://registeredtradeschools.com/trades/hvac/)

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. |
Ranges are computed only from rows with a sourced figure. We never estimate tuition.

### Occupation profile

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| O\*NET-SOC code | [49-9021.00](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/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](https://www.abcott.edu/) 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](https://www.wvact.net/) 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](https://www.bergen.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4343) 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](https://www.auto.edu/) 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](https://www.auto.edu/) 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](https://www.adtecpr.com/) 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](https://www.atc.edu/) 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](https://www.alamancecc.edu/) 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 |
Schools: NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code; “Graduates 2023-24” is the number of first-major certificates or associate degrees the school awarded in that program from July 2023 to June 2024 (IPEDS). Tuition: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (updated 2026-10-15), matched by IPEDS unit ID; it is the published figure, not a quote. Apprenticeship sponsors: DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file (retrieved 2026-10-29); apprenticeships are typically paid, so no tuition is listed — contact the program.

By state

## HVAC/R Technician pay and programs by state

Highest state medians:

- [District of Columbia $84k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/district-of-columbia/)
- [Alaska $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/alaska/)
- [Illinois $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/illinois/)
- [Massachusetts $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/massachusetts/)
- [Connecticut $77k](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/connecticut/)

| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alabama](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/alabama/) | 48 | $48,370 | $65,690 | 8,260 |
| [Alaska](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/alaska/) | 48 | $77,430 | $105,140 | 610 |
| [Arizona](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/arizona/) | 34 | $59,400 | $80,160 | 10,860 |
| [Arkansas](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/arkansas/) | 41 | $48,110 | $69,290 | 4,960 |
| [California](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/california/) | 143 | $72,560 | $109,060 | 35,130 |
| [Colorado](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/colorado/) | 32 | $65,200 | $103,640 | 8,940 |
| [Connecticut](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/connecticut/) | 270 | $76,610 | $100,160 | 3,800 |
| [Delaware](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/delaware/) | 54 | $62,320 | $97,600 | 1,730 |
| [District of Columbia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/district-of-columbia/) | 1 | $84,390 | $108,240 | 400 |
| [Florida](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/florida/) | 187 | $56,670 | $78,210 | 39,160 |
| [Georgia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/georgia/) | 66 | $56,390 | $79,130 | 12,290 |
| Guam | 0 | $40,110 | $69,830 | 240 |
| [Hawaii](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/hawaii/) | 2 | $65,450 | $99,430 | 1,300 |
| [Idaho](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/idaho/) | 27 | $56,240 | $80,780 | 4,550 |
| [Illinois](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/illinois/) | 66 | $77,410 | $117,550 | 9,740 |
| [Indiana](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/indiana/) | 74 | $60,430 | $97,800 | 8,530 |
| [Iowa](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/iowa/) | 182 | $60,680 | $86,280 | 3,840 |
| [Kansas](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/kansas/) | 27 | $60,460 | $83,500 | 3,770 |
| [Kentucky](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/kentucky/) | 43 | $58,620 | $80,020 | 5,100 |
| [Louisiana](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/louisiana/) | 34 | $58,650 | $78,210 | 5,380 |
| [Maine](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/maine/) | 17 | $63,170 | $82,090 | 2,250 |
| [Maryland](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/maryland/) | 22 | $70,020 | $106,740 | 8,560 |
| [Massachusetts](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/massachusetts/) | 56 | $77,300 | $102,410 | 8,200 |
| [Michigan](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/michigan/) | 60 | $60,850 | $95,290 | 12,590 |
| [Minnesota](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/minnesota/) | 29 | $76,350 | $100,030 | 4,200 |
| [Mississippi](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/mississippi/) | 27 | $48,680 | $76,240 | 2,700 |
| [Missouri](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/missouri/) | 62 | $59,950 | $88,760 | 7,220 |
| [Montana](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/montana/) | 115 | $60,850 | $81,230 | 1,230 |
| [Nebraska](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/nebraska/) | 15 | $59,850 | $81,110 | 3,020 |
| [Nevada](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/nevada/) | 12 | $60,510 | $89,750 | 4,170 |
| [New Hampshire](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/new-hampshire/) | 190 | $73,850 | $97,140 | 2,560 |
| [New Jersey](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/new-jersey/) | 378 | $74,450 | $116,550 | 10,330 |
| [New Mexico](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/new-mexico/) | 11 | $50,270 | $75,770 | 1,950 |
| [New York](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/new-york/) | 43 | $74,430 | $100,680 | 24,430 |
| [North Carolina](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/north-carolina/) | 115 | $57,260 | $77,160 | 15,230 |
| [North Dakota](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/north-dakota/) | 11 | $74,490 | $94,060 | 970 |
| [Ohio](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/ohio/) | 63 | $62,510 | $98,310 | 14,150 |
| [Oklahoma](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/oklahoma/) | 36 | $57,560 | $79,660 | 5,650 |
| [Oregon](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/oregon/) | 9 | $62,940 | $94,520 | 3,980 |
| [Pennsylvania](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/pennsylvania/) | 139 | $62,400 | $89,440 | 15,880 |
| [Puerto Rico](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/puerto-rico/) | 26 | $31,480 | $49,510 | 1,140 |
| [Rhode Island](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/rhode-island/) | 124 | $67,370 | $104,080 | 1,450 |
| [South Carolina](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/south-carolina/) | 37 | $56,610 | $75,530 | 6,920 |
| [South Dakota](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/south-dakota/) | 8 | $61,390 | $75,190 | 1,610 |
| [Tennessee](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/tennessee/) | 50 | $55,490 | $81,590 | 9,740 |
| [Texas](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/texas/) | 142 | $57,760 | $81,860 | 34,730 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 0 | $45,030 | $68,490 | 70 |
| [Utah](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/utah/) | 19 | $58,730 | $80,500 | 5,580 |
| [Vermont](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/vermont/) | 89 | $62,150 | $93,110 | 970 |
| [Virginia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/virginia/) | 119 | $59,730 | $83,420 | 14,690 |
| [Washington](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/washington/) | 24 | $75,660 | $120,360 | 7,370 |
| [West Virginia](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/west-virginia/) | 10 | $48,850 | $72,640 | 1,690 |
| [Wisconsin](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/wisconsin/) | 30 | $61,710 | $98,070 | 6,630 |
| [Wyoming](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/wyoming/) | 9 | $54,700 | $79,050 | 690 |
State wages: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. “—” means BLS did not publish an estimate for that state. States without a link have no listed programs yet.

Related resources

## Keep researching

Hand-picked pages on our sister sites.

[**HVAC technician path for veterans** Military experience, EPA 608 and apprenticeship entry. · MilitaryToTrades.com](https://militarytotrades.com/careers/hvac-technician/) [**GI Bill-approved HVAC/R programs** Schools that accept VA education benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.com](https://veterantradeschools.com/hvac/)

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](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm); [data tables](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm)). 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](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9021.00), 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](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/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](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/C2024_A.zip); [CIP-SOC crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Files/CIP2020_SOC2018_Crosswalk.xlsx)).
- **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](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/)).

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.

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Canonical HTML: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/hvac-technician/
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). Programs: NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions; DOL Office of Apprenticeship. Tuition: College Scorecard.