How Much Do HVAC Techs Make? All You Need to Know

• The question that has been on the minds of many when interested in an employment position at the HVAC area: “How much do HVAC techs make?HVAC technicians play a significant role in keeping residential, commercial, and industrial premises warm in winter and cool in summer. As demand for such professionals increases, you might need to find out how much those professionals make in return.
• Here in our deep dive series, we will break down what determines HVAC technician compensation, how average salaries vary from region to region, and let you know where growth might be in the industry. Let’s dive in and see “how much do HVAC techs make.”

KNOWING WHO AN HVAC TECHNICIAN IS

• For us to be able to answer the question, ” How much do HVAC techs make?”, we first need to know who an HVAC technician is. The definition of this term explains that an HVAC technician installs, maintains, and repairs home, office, and industrial building systems in heating and cooling or ventilation. This includes air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, ventilation systems, and even refrigeration systems.
• They must be aware of the many other mechanical and electrical systems operating for them to spot flaws, rectify defects, and ensure these operate in smooth working. As the industry continues to become very technically complex in terms of advanced systems required, HVAC tech becomes that much more crucial for both the residential as well as commercial world.

 Factors Determining HVAC Tech Salaries

The pay for an HVAC technician depends on some factors. Some of them include the following:

1. Experience
Another factor is the experience level, which decides “how much do HVAC techs make.” Of course, an entry-level technician will receive less money compared to a more experienced one. The years of experience enable a technician to be professionally advanced in their work, take on other complex jobs, and may even master a few fields. Thus, that brings about higher payments over time.

Entry-Level Technicians (0–2 years): Normally, the lowest salary.
Mid-Level Technicians (3–5 years) – More flexible and handle bigger assignments; therefore, they are paid well.
Experienced Technicians (5+ years) – Can handle bigger or more complicated jobs; therefore, paid accordingly.

• 2. Certification and Education
• Formal education and training are a total requirement for HVAC techs, although in practice, most is gained through more holistic apprentice structure or even in the vocational school. However, certifications do play a big role in how much money an HVAC tech can earn. Possession of certifications like EPA 608-handling of refrigerants or NATE tends to imply that these earners get paid handsomely.
• The same technicians who continue their education and acquire other qualifications may also be promoted into supervisory or managerial positions, getting much higher pay.
• 3. Location
  The location where a technician in an HVAC works has much to do with what is expected in terms of salary. Areas of high cost of living, huge metropolitan cities, or states with extreme weather conditions will pay more.
• For example, huge cities such as California or New York compared to towns or small cities pay their HVAC technicians a sum more in pay since they tend to be less stringent in climate. Demand-based on location also differs in hiring an HVAC technician. For example, the hotter the region and the longer the summer means that the air conditioning installation is bigger compared with cold regions that require more heating-based installation services most of the time.
• 4. Specialization
  The other determining factor on “how much do HVAC techs make” is specialization. Most HVAC technicians specialize in some types of systems: home HVAC, commercial HVAC, or even refrigeration. The more specialized, the stronger the case will be for a higher pay scale.
• Other technicians are faced with technologies like photovoltaic air conditioning and heating systems or smart home systems that are likely to increase their wages. The second group involves individuals who have experience and skill in the possible solution of such complex systems, likely paid more than routine maintenance or highly compensated service technicians.
•  5. Type of Employer
  The kind of company or employer that you work for will tend to determine what you are likely to earn. For example, the HVAC technicians may be operating in small owner-operated companies, large companies, or as Independents. The higher the size and number of the companies where you are operating tends to affect earnings but experience higher competition.
• Large companies with thousands of customers can now provide health insurance, pensions, and even performance bonuses that can be rolled into the total compensation package.

 Average HVAC Technician Salary

To answer the question of “how much do HVAC techs make,” here are some average salary ranges. Of course, these figures vary based on the factors mentioned above :

• Median Annual Salary for HVAC Technicians in the United States
  According to the statistics updated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for HVAC technicians in 2023 is approximately about $54,000. This range is very wide as it encompasses all forms of technicians with different levels of experience and also differs according to place.
  Average Hourly Wage of HVAC Technicians
  Almost all HVAC technicians are paid hourly and receive salaries varied by experience, region, or even the complexity of the job. From $18 to $40 an hour, average pay is very high.
• Most entry-level and field-service technicians will likely fall on the lower end of the scale, while the most specialized or advanced technicians will likely fall on the higher end. Any overtime hours, evenings, weekends, or on-call hours above what is commonly understood as standard drive pay significantly, frequently astronomically.

 Regional Differences in Pay
As mentioned above, the place where the HVAC technicians live would be the basis of their salary. The following is a general estimate of average annual salaries in other states:

California: $65,000 to $75,000
Texas: $50,000 to $60,000
New York: $60,000-$70,000
Florida: $50,000 to $60,000
Illinois: $55,000 to $65,000

Salary on Experience Level
Loosely speaking, in terms of experience, here are some things that probably can be received in terms of salary:

Entry-Level Person (0–2 years experience): $35,000-$45,000 per year
Middle Level (3–5 years experience): $45,000-$55,000 per year
Experienced: 5+ years. $55,000-$75,000 per year
More will inevitably lead to highly specialized technicians or supervisors and managers.

Career Advancement Opportunities in Trades – HVAC

The HVAC business is also extremely lucrative, offering the possibility of advancement as well as maximum pay potential. The more experience and certifications he has, the greater his potential earnings. Some HVAC technicians will move into supervisory or management positions and oversee large teams of technicians as well as complex projects. Others will move into independent contractor positions and become available to a larger client base, setting his or her own rates.

HVAC Supervisor or Manager

But it is the HVAC technicians that run teams of technicians, and such work does entail administrative-type aspects, that is, managing projects within a timeline and within a budget. Such jobs quite often include a better pay package than a technician position, and managerial positions range between $70,000 and $90,000 per year or more, depending on the company or location.

Starting Your Own HVAC Business

If you have built yourself up to a respectable-sized customer base and can speak to the experience of serving customers, then it may be time to consider opening your own HVAC company. As the owner of a business, you get to charge whatever you want and therefore how much you will take home. Seasoned, six-figure-per-year-earning heating and cooling business owners forget easily that business ownership brings its own overhead and responsibility.

Conclusion

So, then, how much does an HVAC technician make? Well, that depends on things such as experience, location, certification, and specialization. An HVAC technician can make $54,000 a year, entry-level technicians around $35,000, and the most experienced upwards of $75,000 a year and beyond. So the more experience you get or the more specializations you can make to focus on, of course your potential to earn is going to go up.

Whether you are just starting or have been around for a while, there are multiple ways to be a good earner in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning profession working within an important and increasingly in-demand field. Well if you’ve ever asked yourself, How much do HVAC techs make, you know now!