What is the average HVAC technician salary in Alabama?

The median HVAC technician salary in Alabama is $46,200 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $34,188 and $61,446 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in Alabama?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in Alabama, bringing total annual earnings to around $49,700. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $54,700.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Alabama?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Alabama, with an estimated median of $60,984 per year — approximately 32% above the residential service baseline. Commercial HVAC and refrigeration roles also pay above average at +14% and +18% respectively.

How does Alabama HVAC salary compare to the national average?

Alabama HVAC technicians earn $46,200/year, which is $8,028 below the national median of $54,228 (-15%). Alabama ranks #48 out of 51 states and territories.

Alabama · HVAC Technician Salary

$46,200/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Alabama, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $34,188 at the 25th percentile to $61,446 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$34,188

Median

$46,200

75th Percentile

$61,446

National Rank

#48 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in Alabama

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$32,340	$16/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$40,656	$20/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$46,200	$22/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$53,130	$26/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$59,136	$28/hr

Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Alabama median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.

Certification Pay Premium in Alabama

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K

With cert: ~$49,700/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium

With cert: ~$54,700/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$50,400/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$48,200/yr

Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Alabama wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.

Salary by Specialization in Alabama

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$46,200	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$52,668	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$54,516	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$60,984	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$43,428	-6%

Top Paying Cities in Alabama

City / Metro	Est. Median	vs. State Median
Birmingham	$49,434	+$3,234
Huntsville	$48,510	+$2,310
Mobile	$45,276	-$924

City estimates use metro-area wage adjustment factors derived from BLS OEWS metro-level data.

How Alabama Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · Alabama ranks #48 of 51 states

-15% (-$8,028)

Arkansas

Median: $44,800/yr

-$1,400

West Virginia

Median: $44,600/yr

-$1,600

Kentucky

Median: $47,900/yr

+$1,700

Louisiana

Median: $48,100/yr

+$1,900

Highest-paying states vs Alabama

Illinois$72,100+$25,900

Washington$70,200+$24,000

Washington D.C.$68,700+$22,500

Massachusetts$68,400+$22,200

New York$66,900+$20,700

Share your salary — help other techs

Anonymous. Takes 30 seconds. Kept confidential — only aggregated data is published.

Ready to find HVAC jobs in Alabama?

Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.

Browse HVAC Jobs in Alabama View all state salaries Hiring in Alabama? Use Pay Rate Calculator

Need to know licensing requirements in Alabama?

EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Arkansas — $44,800 West Virginia — $44,600 Kentucky — $47,900 Louisiana — $48,100

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026