HVAC / Refrigeration Technician Salary
How much do HVAC and refrigeration technicians make? Median pay is $29.33/hr ($61,010/yr) with most earning $23.25–$37.05/hr. Based on BLS OES, May 2025 data plus 20 live listings.
BLS OES, May 2025 puts the national median for heating, air conditioning & refrigeration mechanics (SOC 49-9021) at $29.33/hr — about $61,010 a year, with the middle half of HVAC and refrigeration technicians earning $23.25–$37.05/hr. The 20 live hvac / refrigeration technician listings on this board currently show $35–$75/hr across employers — hiring ranges typically read above the all-worker median because they reflect what plants offer to attract new hires today.
HVAC / Refrigeration Technician pay percentiles
National hourly wages for Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Mechanics (SOC 49-9021, 409,670 workers) from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release. BLS figures cover all workers in the occupation — not just open positions — so they typically read a few dollars below the hiring ranges employers advertise to attract new hires today.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 national cross-industry estimates.
What employers offer today
Our board benchmark for HVAC and refrigeration technicians runs $31.00–$40.00/hr with a median of $35.00/hr, compiled from active listings. Current live hvac / refrigeration technician listings show $35–$75/hr.
HVAC / Refrigeration Technician pay, answered.
How much does a hvac / refrigeration technician make?
The median hvac / refrigeration technician earns $29.33 per hour, or about $61,010 a year at full time before overtime. That figure is the BLS OES, May 2025 national estimate for heating, air conditioning & refrigeration mechanics — it covers all workers in the occupation, so advertised hiring ranges usually sit a few dollars higher.
What is the hourly pay range for HVAC and refrigeration technicians?
Per BLS OES, May 2025: the 10th percentile earns $19.25/hr, the 25th $23.25/hr, the median $29.33/hr, the 75th $37.05/hr, and the 90th $45.78/hr. Entry-level roles start near the bottom of that ladder; journeyman-level HVAC and refrigeration technicians with stacked credentials earn at or above the 75th percentile.
How much do HVAC and refrigeration technicians make a year?
About $61,010 at the median for full-time work (2,080 hours), before overtime. Overtime matters in this trade — plants running shutdowns, outages, and 24/7 operations commonly add 10–20% to base annual earnings.
What increases hvac / refrigeration technician pay?
Stacked credentials move you up the range: industrial electrical licenses, PLC platform experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), welding certs, and EPA 608 each add leverage. Shift differentials add $1–$3/hr for 2nd/3rd shift, and multi-craft roles — mechanical plus electrical and controls — consistently pay a premium.
Where are hvac / refrigeration technician jobs hiring right now?
Of the 20 live hvac / refrigeration technician listings on this board, the most are in Texas, California, New Jersey, Florida and Colorado. Every listing links straight to the employer's application — filter by shift, certification, and minimum pay.
Open hvac / refrigeration technician roles paying these rates
20 live listings on the board right now — most in Texas, California, New Jersey.
