Data-driven ranking of top HVAC careers by median salary
The highest paying HVAC job is Commercial HVAC Service Manager with a median salary of $118,500. Top earners in this role can make up to $172,000 annually. Below is a complete ranking of all 15 HVAC job titles by salary.
| Rank | Job Title | Entry (10th %ile) | Median | Top Earners (90th %ile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commercial HVAC Service Manager | $118,500 | $118,500 | $172,000 |
| 2 | HVAC Service Manager | $80,000 | $112,500 | $152,500 |
| 3 | HVAC Engineer | $67,248 | $100,629 | $133,814 |
| 4 | HVAC Project Manager | $38,000 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| 5 | HVAC Estimator | $75,000 | $90,000 | $125,000 |
| 6 | Senior HVAC Technician | $40,000 | $90,000 | $148,255 |
| 7 | HVAC Installer | $47,677 | $82,264 | $96,973 |
| 8 | Commercial HVAC Technician | $61,200 | $76,609 | $109,773 |
| 9 | Commercial HVAC Installer | $54,255 | $73,298 | $84,574 |
| 10 | Sheet Metal Worker | $39,871 | $73,239 | $87,261 |
| 11 | HVAC Service Technician | $51,792 | $72,554 | $109,338 |
| 12 | Refrigeration Technician | $39,397 | $68,209 | $97,445 |
| 13 | HVAC Sales Representative | $40,000 | $50,000 | $200,000 |
| 14 | Commercial Refrigeration Technician | $46,274 | $47,478 | $83,009 |
| 15 | HVAC Apprentice | $36,000 | $47,000 | $82,480 |
Location significantly impacts HVAC earnings. These states offer the highest overall HVAC salaries:
| Rank | State | Overall HVAC Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $99,774 | +25% |
| 2 | Hawaii | $97,379 | +22% |
| 3 | New York | $95,783 | +20% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $94,186 | +18% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $92,590 | +16% |
| 6 | Alaska | $91,792 | +15% |
| 7 | Connecticut | $91,792 | +15% |
| 8 | Washington | $89,397 | +12% |
| 9 | Maryland | $87,801 | +10% |
| 10 | Colorado | $86,205 | +8% |
Use our interactive tool to calculate your personalized HVAC salary based on title, experience, and location.