HVAC & Pipefitter Salary in Baltimore
Metro area wage data from the BLS OEWS program (May 2025), with state-adopted journey-level scale for the Baltimore area, effective December 2025.
The federal wage data on this page covers heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, work that is largely service, maintenance, and residential installation. The union scale shown is journeyman pipefitter, which covers refrigerant, chilled water, and hydronic piping on commercial construction and falls under a different federal occupation code than the wage data above. Duct fabrication and installation is sheet metal work, represented by a separate union called SMART (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers), and is not reflected in either figure.
Wage figures reflect all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master.
Federal facilities, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, and proximity to DC sustain the Baltimore pipefitter market.
The Baltimore metro pipefitter market benefits from proximity to federal facilities and government contractor work. Davis-Bacon prevailing wage applies to federal projects, and Maryland has its own prevailing wage law for state projects. This market's rate is set through Maryland's state prevailing wage determination, which covers both plumber and pipefitter classifications.
- →Davis-Bacon and Maryland Prevailing Wage on public projects
- →Federal facility and government contractor work sustains demand
Baltimore Area Journeyman pipefitter Prevailing Rate
The prevailing rate reflects the journeyman pipefitter classification from the applicable state prevailing wage determination for the Baltimore area. The BLS area median reflects all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 486 Training School |
| Address | 1201 66th St., Rosedale, MD 21237 |
| Phone | (410) 866-5313 |
| Website | getpiping.com |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
Applying to a hvac & pipefitter apprenticeship?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to an apprenticeship program in this area. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels
All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $63,180 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $70,450 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $30.38 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $33.87 |
| Total Employed | 3,960 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates below are sourced from Davis-Bacon wage determinations, state prevailing wage determinations, or, where a local publishes one directly, its own collective bargaining agreement. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 49-9021 (HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.