HVAC pay
What HVAC technicians earn — and take home — in 2026
Heating and cooling never go out of style, which makes HVAC one of the most stable trades. The BLS puts the median HVAC mechanic and installer at $59,810 (May 2024), with the top 10% over $90,000. Summer cooling season and winter heating calls generate heavy overtime, and EPA Section 608 certification (required to handle refrigerants) is the entry credential.
Where an HVAC tech's paycheck goes
On the $59,810 median, a single technician sits in the 12%–22% federal brackets after the standard deduction, plus FICA. State income tax varies from zero in Texas, Florida and Nevada to several percent elsewhere. If your summers are overtime-heavy, estimate the extra with our overtime pay calculator.
The highest-paying states for HVAC techs
Average HVAC pay runs highest in Alaska, D.C., Connecticut, Washington and Massachusetts. Alaska and Washington have no income tax, lifting take-home, while hot-climate states like Texas and Florida offer abundant year-round work.
Compare HVAC with other trades
See how HVAC pay compares with a plumber, an electrician or a mechanic, or check your exact net in Texas or Florida.
Questions
HVAC Technician Salary Calculator FAQ
How much does an HVAC technician make in 2026?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $59,810 for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers (May 2024). The top 10% earn over $90,000. EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants, and NATE certification can raise pay.
What is an HVAC tech's take-home pay on $59,810?
A single HVAC technician earning the $59,810 median takes home roughly $49,000 to $50,000 a year after federal income tax and FICA in a no-income-tax state. State income tax elsewhere removes another $1,500 to $3,000. Heavy seasonal overtime can lift the total well above this.
Does HVAC work include a lot of overtime?
Yes. HVAC is highly seasonal — peak cooling season in summer and heating breakdowns in winter generate emergency and after-hours calls paid at time-and-a-half. Many technicians earn a meaningful share of their annual income from overtime, so annualized take-home often exceeds the base wage.
Which states pay HVAC technicians the most?
Alaska, the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Washington and Massachusetts report the highest average HVAC pay. Alaska and Washington have no state income tax, so they often deliver the best take-home, while hot-climate states like Texas and Florida offer the most year-round work volume.
- Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (median $59,810, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base ($184,500) · State departments of revenue.
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
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