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HVAC & Pipefitter Salary in Cincinnati

Metro area wage data from the BLS OEWS program (May 2025), with Davis-Bacon journey-level scale from UA Local 392, effective June 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.

How to become an HVAC technician or pipefitter →

Figures come from public sources and may not match the current contract; confirm with the local before making decisions.

UA Local 392 is the union local for pipefitters in Cincinnati, and it also represents plumbers and HVAC service workers. Union apprentices train through the Local 392 training program. Ohio prevailing wage law applies to public construction.

UA Local 392 journeyman pipefitter Journey-Level Rate

Journey-Level Hourly
$43.30
Effective June 2025
Base wage: $43.30/hr
Benefit contribution: $27.40/hr
Total package: $70.70/hr
Journey-Level Annual
$90,064
Based on 2,080 hrs / year
vs. BLS Area Median
+$27,824
Union scale vs. all-worker median

Union scale reflects the UA Local 392 journeyman pipefitter journey-level rate from the applicable Davis-Bacon wage determination. The BLS area median reflects all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types and experience levels.

Training CenterLocal 392 training program
Address1300 Century Circle North, Cincinnati, OH 45246
Phone(513) 378-5316
Websitelocal392.com
Minimum ScoreNot published

Applying to UA Local 392?

Check with UA Local 392 for its current application requirements, including any aptitude test.

What to expect →

All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels

Median Annual
$62,240
+$1,230 vs. national
Median Hourly
$29.92
vs. Ohio
+$797
vs. state average
Total Employed
2,950
In this area

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$62,240
Annual Mean Wage$65,290
Hourly Median Wage$29.92
Hourly Mean Wage$31.39
Total Employed2,950
Area TypeMetropolitan Area
All pre-apprenticeship options →

Up to six other metros in Ohio, nearest first, then metros in other states within 300 miles. Journey-level rates are sourced from Davis-Bacon wage determinations, state prevailing wage determinations, or, where a local publishes one directly, its own collective bargaining agreement.

Union rates in every metro we cover →

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (SOC 49-9021). How we build these figures →