Skilled Trades

HVAC Technician

Heating, AC & Refrigeration Mechanics

SOC 49-9021

$57,490
Median Pay / yr
6%
Growing
~37K
Openings / yr
1-4 years
Time to Entry

How Much Does a HVAC Technician Make?

The national median salary for a HVAC Technician is $57,490 per year ($27.64/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).

That's 12% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.

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How to Become a HVAC Technician

Education Required
Certificate
Typical Entry Path
1
Trade school (6mo-2yr) or apprenticeship
2
EPA Section 608 cert
Required Licenses & Certifications

EPA Section 608 certification required; state license varies

Time to Entry-Level
1-4 years

HVAC Technician Job Outlook

Faster than avg — the BLS projects 6% growth from 2024 to 2034.

That's faster than the average across all occupations (4%).

About 37,100 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.

Climate change; heat pump adoption; aging systems

What It's Like to Work as a HVAC Technician

Physical Demands
High

This role involves significant physical labor.

Remote Work
N/A

This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.

View on BLS.gov