HVAC Technician Salary - Pacific Coast
Oregon and Washington lead the nation, California adds volume
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 Pacific Coast is the highest-paying region for HVAC technicians in the country. Washington leads at $75,660 median, followed by California at $72,560 and Oregon at $62,940. Strong UA and Sheet Metal Workers presence, dense commercial construction, and a growing controls and building automation market drive wages well above the national median. Alaska and Hawaii operate as distinct high-wage markets.
UA and Sheet Metal Workers locals dominate commercial HVAC installation across the Pacific Coast. Washington and Oregon are among the most unionized HVAC markets in the country. California is mixed -- heavily unionized in major metros, less so in rural markets. Controls and BAS specialists command significant premiums across the region's commercial market. Alaska and Hawaii maintain strong union contracts driven by cost of living and project complexity.
Cost of living is the significant caveat on Pacific Coast HVAC wages. Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco are among the most expensive metros in the country. Washington at 114.6 and California at 140.5 COL significantly offset the wage premium. Oregon at 109.6 is more moderate. Alaska at 129.0 and Hawaii at 184.8 present extreme dynamics. Travelers should run the numbers carefully -- the wage advantage narrows considerably when housing costs are factored in.
- →Data center HVAC and precision cooling systems in the Pacific Northwest -- one of the densest data center markets in the country
- →Semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing facility HVAC and cleanroom systems in Oregon and Washington
- →Commercial office and mixed-use construction HVAC across Seattle, Portland, and the Bay Area
- →Building automation and energy efficiency upgrades driven by state energy codes across California, Oregon, and Washington
- →Cannabis cultivation facility HVAC -- a growing niche in California, Oregon, and Washington
The Pacific Coast is one of the best regions for traveling HVAC journeymen. Washington and Oregon UA locals pay strong scale rates and actively recruit travelers for major commercial and industrial projects. Controls and BAS specialists are in particularly high demand across the region. California's size means opportunities vary -- Bay Area and LA are strong markets. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro before making the trip.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $77,430 +$16,420 vs. national | 129.0 | $60,023 $-987 vs. national |
| Washington | $75,660 +$14,650 vs. national | 114.6 | $66,021 +$5,011 vs. national |
| California | $72,560 +$11,550 vs. national | 140.5 | $51,644 $-9,366 vs. national |
| Hawaii | $65,450 +$4,440 vs. national | 184.8 | $35,417 $-25,593 vs. national |
| Oregon | $62,940 +$1,930 vs. national | 109.6 | $57,427 $-3,583 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.