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HVAC technicians made an annual mean salary in Phoenix of $60,900 in 2025. This comes out to about $29.28 an hour. Wages for HVAC technicians, however, varied across industries and locations, with some earning less than average and others more.1*
See the full range of earnings for HVAC technicians and reasons for differences in incomes in this article.
The Work of an HVAC Technician
Understanding what HVAC technicians do can help lend some insight into why wages for these professionals may vary because, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, industry, employer and specific job tasks can all be reasons for differences in pay within the same occupation.2
The BLS’ occupational title for HVAC techs reveals a lot about what they do: “heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers.” They install, maintain and repair the equipment listed in their job title, along with the ventilation systems that can promote healthy indoor air quality.3
Some HVAC/R technicians specialize in a certain area of the industry or type of equipment. For example, one tech might focus on only radiant heating systems; another on testing and balancing; and others may specialize on solar panels or commercial refrigeration.3
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An HVAC technician career overview can give you a more complete picture of this occupation.
Do HVAC Technicians Make Good Money?
Compared to the median hourly wage for all occupations in 2025, HVAC technicians earned healthy wages. That year, HVAC techs made a median hourly wage of $28.56 versus the $24.51 the BLS reported for all occupations.4*
About half of HVAC technicians earned more than the median wage and half earned less.
HVAC Technicians’ Range of Income in 2025
| Percent of HVAC Techs | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $37,950 | $18.25 |
| 25% | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 50% | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| 75% | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| 90% | $80,160 | $38.54 |
Why Do Earnings Vary for HVAC Technicians?
What’s clear from the information above is that earnings for HVAC technicians can vary with industry and geographic location. This can be because the working conditions, vocational training requirements and clientele can differ across employment settings.
Variations in demand for HVAC service and repair, cost of living and wages from one state or city to the next can account for geographic differences in pay.2
Below are some other factors that can help explain why some HVAC technicians make more than others.
Credentials
Workers with HVAC certifications and licenses may earn more than those without such credentials. This is especially the case because the federal government requires EPA certification, and many states have licensing laws for HVAC technicians.23
Job Duties
Technicians who handle more complex tasks or jobs with greater responsibility may earn more than those with simpler duties or entry level positions.
Skills and Experience
With greater experience often comes higher productivity and more skills. Consequently, workers who’ve been in the industry longer may earn more than their entry level counterparts.
Performance and Success
In fields where pay is tied to performance, wages may be higher for those with a track record of success.2
What Else Makes HVAC a Good Career?
Pay is an important consideration when thinking about training for a new career. As you can see, HVAC technicians can make healthy wages.
Why else is HVAC a good career? Other factors that may appeal to you include daily variety of tasks, healthy job growth and the opportunity to fix things and help people.3
*Phoenix Area’s annual mean wage is $63,050 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) reported by BLS as of May 2025 http://data.bls.gov/oes.
**According to BLS data Arizona employed 10,860 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) through May 2025 http://data.bls.gov/oes.
Additional Sources
1 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499021.htm
2https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm?view_full
3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-2
4 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000
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