How Much Do HVAC Techs Make?
An HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) technician is a professional who installs, maintains and repairs heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and systems. These professionals train on the job, or through vocational schools. Salary for this occupation can vary based on skills, industry and geography.
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National Average
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In May 2009, The Bureau of Labor Statistics listed a national mean hourly wage of $21.00 for this occupation.
Industry Wages
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The highest paying industry for this occupation is classified under motor vehicle manufacturing, with average mean wages of $31.84 per hour. Other industries paying high wages for these professionals include electric power generation, transmission and distribution (average mean wages of $30.03 per hour); navigational, measuring, electro-medical and control instruments manufacturing ($29.09 per hour); and motor vehicle parts manufacturing ($28.59 per hour).
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States
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States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation include Florida, Maine, and New Hampshire. The highest hourly wages per state include the District of Columbia, paying a mean hourly wage of $27.19, and Connecticut, paying a mean hourly wage of $25.58.
Metropolitan Areas
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The Champaign-Urbana, IL metropolitan area pays the highest mean hourly wage of $33.76, while Napa, CA averages a mean hourly wage of $32.55. Two other metropolitan areas pay average wages over $30 per hour: the Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA area ($31.80 per hour) and the Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford area of MA-NH ($30.72 per hour).
Industry Concentration
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The highest concentration of HVAC technicians is found in the industry of building equipment contractors, employing more than 166,000 mechanics and installers who receive a mean hourly wage of $20.34.
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