HVAC Technician Salary - Northeast
High union density and established apprenticeship programs
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 on this page reflect all HVAC technicians counted by the BLS, across union and non-union work, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. The BLS does not publish a separate journey-level tier. State figures are medians: half of workers earn more, half earn less.
UA locals represent HVAC work across the Northeast. Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island all pay significantly above the national median of $61,010. The region's dense commercial building stock and harsh winters combine to create consistent demand for HVAC mechanics and controls specialists. Boston and Hartford are commercial markets in the region.
UA locals are active in commercial HVAC work across the Northeast. Boston, Hartford, and Providence have sheet metal and HVAC work. Massachusetts UA locals represent HVAC work in the state. Vermont and Maine have smaller markets but maintain active UA programs. Non-union residential service work is widespread but major commercial HVAC installation and industrial controls work is predominantly union jurisdiction.
Cost of living in the Northeast is high. Massachusetts posts a COL index of 147.8. Connecticut at 114.2 and New Hampshire at 110.1 are more moderate. Vermont at 113.0 and Maine at 114.6 are above average.
- →Dense commercial building stock requiring ongoing HVAC maintenance, upgrades, and replacement across major Northeast metros
- →Life sciences and cleanroom facility construction in the Boston metro requiring precision HVAC and environmental control systems
- →Hospital and healthcare facility HVAC work
- →Building automation and controls upgrades driven by energy efficiency mandates across the region
- →Offshore wind and renewable energy facility construction creating new industrial HVAC demand along the New England coast
The Northeast is a destination for traveling HVAC journeymen, particularly Boston and Hartford. Commercial HVAC work runs year-round. Winter heating season creates additional service demand across the region. Cost of living is the significant consideration. Boston and coastal Connecticut are expensive markets. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current commercial HVAC openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living: what a paycheck buys relative to the national median.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $77,300 +$16,290 vs. national | 147.8 | $52,300 -$8,710 vs. national |
| Connecticut | $76,610 +$15,600 vs. national | 114.2 | $67,084 +$6,074 vs. national |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 +$12,840 vs. national | 110.1 | $67,075 +$6,065 vs. national |
| Rhode Island | $67,370 +$6,360 vs. national | 111.2 | $60,585 -$425 vs. national |
| Maine | $63,170 +$2,160 vs. national | 114.6 | $55,122 -$5,888 vs. national |
| Vermont | $62,150 +$1,140 vs. national | 113.0 | $55,000 -$6,010 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.