HVAC Technician Salary - Southwest
Massive construction growth driving demand, wages 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 Southwest is a high-volume HVAC market driven by climate and construction growth. Texas employs nearly 35,000 HVAC mechanics -- one of the largest state workforces -- and Arizona at nearly 11,000 reflects the Phoenix metro boom. However wages across the region cluster below the national median. The hot climate creates year-round cooling demand that keeps employment stable even as wages lag behind union markets.
The Southwest is predominantly non-union territory for HVAC work. Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico are all right-to-work states with limited UA HVAC market share outside major metros. Non-union residential and light commercial HVAC service dominates. Industrial HVAC and process cooling work in Texas refineries and petrochemical facilities is more likely to involve union contractors and pays significantly above the state median.
The Southwest offers below-average cost of living except Arizona. Oklahoma at 83.5 and Texas at 90.7 are well below the national average. New Mexico at 89.9 is affordable. Arizona at 107.6 is the outlier -- Phoenix housing has appreciated significantly. For HVAC technicians, Texas and Oklahoma offer the best combination of steady work and affordable living in the region.
- →Year-round cooling demand across the desert Southwest creating consistent residential and commercial HVAC service work
- →Massive residential and commercial construction across Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth metros
- →Semiconductor fabrication plant HVAC and cleanroom systems in Arizona -- TSMC and Intel facilities require precision environmental control
- →Data center HVAC and cooling systems across Dallas and Phoenix
- →Industrial process cooling and HVAC in Texas petrochemical and refinery facilities
The Southwest offers steady work but wages below union market rates. Arizona's semiconductor and data center construction has drawn HVAC contractors from across the country -- controls and precision HVAC specialists are in particular demand in the Phoenix metro. Texas industrial work pays above the state median. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Arizona and Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $59,400 $-1,610 vs. national | 107.6 | $55,204 $-5,806 vs. national |
| Texas | $57,760 $-3,250 vs. national | 90.7 | $63,682 +$2,672 vs. national |
| Oklahoma | $57,560 $-3,450 vs. national | 83.5 | $68,934 +$7,924 vs. national |
| New Mexico | $50,270 $-10,740 vs. national | 89.9 | $55,918 $-5,092 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.