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 $146,750 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 | $112,500 | $118,500 | $146,750 |
| 2 | HVAC Service Manager | $66,500 | $112,500 | $152,500 |
| 3 | HVAC Engineer | $78,883 | $100,443 | $131,507 |
| 4 | HVAC Project Manager | $50,000 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| 5 | HVAC Estimator | $75,000 | $90,000 | $125,000 |
| 6 | Senior HVAC Technician | $44,000 | $83,000 | $147,100 |
| 7 | HVAC Installer | $47,573 | $82,289 | $96,664 |
| 8 | Commercial HVAC Technician | $60,952 | $76,120 | $109,448 |
| 9 | Sheet Metal Worker | $40,378 | $73,673 | $89,645 |
| 10 | Commercial HVAC Installer | $52,600 | $72,800 | $83,200 |
| 11 | HVAC Service Technician | $51,725 | $72,704 | $109,399 |
| 12 | Refrigeration Technician | $40,467 | $66,677 | $98,826 |
| 13 | Commercial Refrigeration Technician | $46,200 | $58,767 | $95,307 |
| 14 | HVAC Sales Representative | $40,000 | $50,000 | $175,000 |
| 15 | HVAC Apprentice | $36,240 | $45,000 | $72,000 |
Location significantly impacts HVAC earnings. These states offer the highest overall HVAC salaries:
| Rank | State | Overall HVAC Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $99,790 | +25% |
| 2 | Hawaii | $97,395 | +22% |
| 3 | New York | $95,798 | +20% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $94,202 | +18% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $92,605 | +16% |
| 6 | Alaska | $91,807 | +15% |
| 7 | Connecticut | $91,807 | +15% |
| 8 | Washington | $89,412 | +12% |
| 9 | Maryland | $87,815 | +10% |
| 10 | Colorado | $86,219 | +8% |
Use our interactive tool to calculate your personalized HVAC salary based on title, experience, and location.