HVAC Technician Salary - Southeast
Large employment base, right-to-work states, wages near or below national median
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 Southeast is the largest employment region for HVAC technicians in the country by headcount. Florida alone employs nearly 40,000 HVAC mechanics -- driven by the region's climate, massive residential construction, and tourism infrastructure. However wages across the Southeast cluster near or below the national median. Right-to-work laws and non-union contractor dominance keep wages suppressed relative to the volume of work available.
UA union density for HVAC work is low across the Southeast. Non-union residential and light commercial HVAC service dominates the market. UA locals exist in major metros but market share is limited. The notable exception is industrial work -- process cooling, refrigeration, and HVAC systems in manufacturing facilities along the I-85 corridor and Gulf Coast are more likely to involve union contractors. Florida's tourism and resort market drives significant commercial HVAC work, some of which is union.
The Southeast offers the best cost of living in the country for HVAC technicians. Tennessee at 88.9, Georgia at 90.6, and most Southeast states are well below the national average. Florida at 100.7 is near the national average but varies significantly by market -- Miami is considerably more expensive than Orlando or Tampa. The affordability advantage partially compensates for below-median wages across most of the region.
- →Massive residential construction and replacement market across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas
- →Tourism and resort HVAC infrastructure in Florida -- hotels, theme parks, and convention centers
- →Manufacturing facility HVAC and process cooling across the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia automotive corridor
- →Data center HVAC and cooling systems in Northern Virginia and Atlanta
- →Healthcare facility HVAC across major Southeast metros
The Southeast offers high work volume but wages below what travelers can earn in union markets. Florida's commercial and resort HVAC market is the most active destination for travelers in the region. Controls and BAS specialists can earn well above the state median in commercial markets across the region. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current commercial HVAC openings in Florida and Northern Virginia.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $59,730 $-1,280 vs. national | 99.1 | $60,272 $-738 vs. national |
| Louisiana | $58,650 $-2,360 vs. national | 91.1 | $64,380 +$3,370 vs. national |
| Kentucky | $58,620 $-2,390 vs. national | 92.5 | $63,373 +$2,363 vs. national |
| North Carolina | $57,260 $-3,750 vs. national | 96.6 | $59,275 $-1,735 vs. national |
| Florida | $56,670 $-4,340 vs. national | 100.7 | $56,276 $-4,734 vs. national |
| South Carolina | $56,610 $-4,400 vs. national | 91.9 | $61,600 +$590 vs. national |
| Georgia | $56,390 $-4,620 vs. national | 90.6 | $62,241 +$1,231 vs. national |
| Tennessee | $55,490 $-5,520 vs. national | 88.9 | $62,418 +$1,408 vs. national |
| West Virginia | $48,850 $-12,160 vs. national | 87.9 | $55,575 $-5,435 vs. national |
| Mississippi | $48,680 $-12,330 vs. national | 86.2 | $56,473 $-4,537 vs. national |
| Alabama | $48,370 $-12,640 vs. national | 85.0 | $56,906 $-4,104 vs. national |
| Arkansas | $48,110 $-12,900 vs. national | 89.1 | $53,996 $-7,014 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.