Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians play a crucial role in keeping homes, offices, and commercial spaces comfortable year‑round. If you’re considering a career in HVAC or are simply curious about the earning potential in this field, it’s important to understand how much do HVAC techs make across different experience levels and regions. This guide covers everything from how much do HVAC techs make a year to how much do HVAC techs make per hour, as well as detailed salary insights for states like Oregon, Colorado, California, Texas, and Arizona.
📊 How Much Do HVAC Techs Make a Year?
Nationally, the average annual salary for HVAC technicians is around $59,810 according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (2024). This figure can vary depending on experience, certifications, employer type, and location.
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Entry-level HVAC techs: $46,000 – $54,000/year
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Mid-level technicians: $55,000 – $65,000/year
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Senior or specialized techs: $70,000 – $92,000/year
In high-demand areas or unionized positions, experienced technicians can earn well over $100,000 annually with overtime and specialized work.
💰 How Much Do HVAC Techs Make a Month?
If you break down the annual salary, how much do HVAC techs make a month depends largely on their hourly rate and work schedule.
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Average monthly income: $4,500 – $5,500
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Entry-level: $3,800 – $4,500/month
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Senior: $6,000 – $7,500/month (with overtime)
Seasonal demand can impact monthly earnings—winter heating repairs and summer AC installations often bring more work.
⏱ How Much Do HVAC Techs Make Per Hour?
When looking at how much do HVAC techs make per hour, the national average falls between $28 – $29/hour.
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Entry-level: $18 – $26/hour
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Average: $28 – $29/hour
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Experienced / Senior techs: $30 – $37/hour
Union workers, emergency service techs, or those with specialized skills (such as working with commercial refrigeration) often command higher hourly rates.
📍 HVAC Tech Salaries by State
Let’s break down how much do HVAC techs make in key states:
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Oregon: $29.88/hour →
$62,150/year ($5,180/month) -
Colorado: $29.72/hour →
$61,811/year ($5,150/month) -
California: $27.89 – $28.46/hour →
$58,000 – $59,200/year ($4,850 – $4,930/month) -
Texas: $26.33/hour →
$54,765/year ($4,560/month) -
Arizona: $26.34/hour →
$54,779/year ($4,565/month)
📈 HVAC Technician Salary Chart
To help you visualize the differences between experience levels and states, here’s a chart showing the average hourly rate across the U.S.:
(Note: Values are averages; actual pay may vary based on employer, certifications, and overtime opportunities.)
🌎 Factors That Influence How Much HVAC Techs Make
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Experience & Training – Apprentices earn less, but income grows quickly with certifications like NATE.
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Specialization – Commercial refrigeration, energy management systems, and green HVAC techs often earn more.
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Union vs. Non-union – Unionized positions typically pay better wages and benefits.
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Overtime & Emergency Calls – Night, weekend, or urgent repairs can significantly boost pay.
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Geographic Location – Higher cost-of-living areas tend to pay more.
🔮 Career Growth & Earning Potential
With the increasing demand for energy-efficient systems and the constant need for heating and cooling, HVAC technicians have strong job security. Technicians can move into supervisory roles, start their own businesses, or specialize in high-paying niches like commercial refrigeration, boosting income to well over $100,000 annually.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how much do HVAC techs make is essential for anyone considering this trade. From how much do HVAC techs make a year to how much do HVAC techs make per hour, salaries can vary widely by experience and state. Whether you’re in Oregon earning over $62,000/year or in Texas making around $55,000/year, HVAC offers a stable, well-paying career with growth potential.
If you want more technology and career-related guides like this, visit Technologies Era for the latest insights and detailed breakdowns.
