HVAC Technician Salary - Midwest
Industrial stronghold with Chicago driving significant wage premiums
Wage figures reflect all hvac technicians across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Midwest is a solid performing region for HVAC technicians with Illinois leading at $77,410 median driven by Chicago's strong union market. Minnesota at $76,350, Connecticut-adjacent Wisconsin at $61,710, and Michigan at $60,850 round out the region. The industrial base creates consistent demand for process cooling and industrial HVAC systems that pays above residential service rates.
UA and Sheet Metal Workers locals have strong presence across the Midwest's major markets. Chicago's HVAC locals are among the highest-paying in the country. Minneapolis, Detroit, and Milwaukee all have active UA HVAC programs. The industrial sector adds an important layer -- manufacturing facilities across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan employ significant numbers of industrial HVAC and refrigeration mechanics. Outside the major metros union density drops but remains higher than the Southeast.
The Midwest offers excellent purchasing power for HVAC technicians. Illinois at 95.1 COL with $77,410 median is strong value. Minnesota at 93.4 with $76,350 median is one of the best combinations in the country. Michigan at 93.9 and Wisconsin at 97.4 offer solid wages at below-average cost of living. Iowa at 88.6 and Kansas at 87.6 are among the most affordable states with wages near the national median.
- →Industrial process cooling and HVAC systems across the manufacturing corridor in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan
- →Commercial office and data center HVAC in the Chicago metro
- →EV battery and advanced manufacturing facility HVAC and process cooling systems
- →Building automation and controls upgrades across the region's commercial building stock
- →Cold storage and food processing facility refrigeration across agricultural Midwest states
Chicago is a strong destination for traveling HVAC journeymen. UA local scale rates are among the highest in the country and commercial HVAC work runs consistently on major projects. Controls and BAS specialists are in high demand across the region's commercial market. The industrial corridor creates consistent demand for process cooling specialists. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Chicago and Midwest industrial openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $77,410 +$16,400 vs. national | 95.1 | $81,399 +$20,389 vs. national |
| Minnesota | $76,350 +$15,340 vs. national | 93.4 | $81,745 +$20,735 vs. national |
| North Dakota | $74,490 +$13,480 vs. national | 90.7 | $82,128 +$21,118 vs. national |
| Ohio | $62,510 +$1,500 vs. national | 93.7 | $66,713 +$5,703 vs. national |
| Wisconsin | $61,710 +$700 vs. national | 97.4 | $63,357 +$2,347 vs. national |
| South Dakota | $61,390 +$380 vs. national | 94.1 | $65,239 +$4,229 vs. national |
| Michigan | $60,850 $-160 vs. national | 93.9 | $64,803 +$3,793 vs. national |
| Iowa | $60,680 $-330 vs. national | 88.6 | $68,488 +$7,478 vs. national |
| Kansas | $60,460 $-550 vs. national | 87.6 | $69,018 +$8,008 vs. national |
| Indiana | $60,430 $-580 vs. national | 88.3 | $68,437 +$7,427 vs. national |
| Missouri | $59,950 $-1,060 vs. national | 88.6 | $67,664 +$6,654 vs. national |
| Nebraska | $59,850 $-1,160 vs. national | 91.3 | $65,553 +$4,543 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - HVAC Technicians - 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.