HVAC & Pipefitter Salary in Houston
Metro area wage data from the BLS OEWS program (May 2025), with Davis-Bacon journey-level scale from UA Local 211, effective October 2025.
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 reflect all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master.
Petrochemical and industrial facility work drive Houston's pipefitter market alongside a largely non-union workforce.
Houston's pipefitter market is driven heavily by petrochemical, refinery, and industrial facility work. UA Local 211 covers pipefitters in Harris County, distinct from UA Local 68 which covers plumbers. Union density is limited outside of industrial sectors, and most commercial pipefitting is non-union. Industrial facilities in oil and gas concentrate demand for pipefitters with specialty skills.
- →UA Local 211 covers Harris County pipefitters and HVAC technicians
- →Petrochemical and refinery work drives demand for industrial pipefitters
- →No state income tax partially offsets lower nominal wage
UA Local 211 journeyman pipefitter Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the UA Local 211 journeyman pipefitter journey-level rate from the applicable Davis-Bacon wage determination. The BLS area median reflects all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Pipe Fitters Local Union 211 Training Center |
| Address | 1301 W. 13th Street, Deer Park, TX 77536 |
| Phone | (713) 644-5521 |
| Website | pipefitterslocal211.com |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
Applying to UA Local 211?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 211. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels
All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $58,940 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $60,390 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $28.34 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $29.03 |
| Total Employed | 7,680 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates below are sourced from Davis-Bacon wage determinations, state prevailing wage determinations, or, where a local publishes one directly, its own collective bargaining agreement. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 49-9021 (HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics) - 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.