How does Birmingham HVAC pay compare to the Alabama average?

Birmingham HVAC technicians earn $49,434/year, which is $3,234 above the Alabama state median of $46,200 (+7%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Birmingham?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Birmingham are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$57,934), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Birmingham, Alabama · HVAC Technician Salary

$49,434/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Birmingham, Alabama?

The median HVAC technician salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $49,434 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $36,581 and $65,747 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Birmingham, Alabama, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $36,581 at the 25th percentile to $65,747 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$36,581

Median

$49,434

75th Percentile

$65,747

vs. State Median

+7%

Salary by Experience Level in Birmingham

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$34,604	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$43,502	$21/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$49,434	$24/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$56,849	$27/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$63,276	$30/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Birmingham

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$52,934/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$57,934/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$53,634/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$51,434/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Birmingham

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$49,434	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$56,355	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$58,332	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$65,253	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$46,468	-6%

How Birmingham Compares

vs. Alabama Median

State median: $46,200/yr

+7% (+$3,234)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

-9% (-$4,794)

Huntsville

Est. median: $48,510/yr

-$924

Mobile

Est. median: $45,276/yr

-$4,158

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Other cities in Alabama:

Huntsville — $48,510 Mobile — $45,276 ← Alabama overview

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Metro-area adjustment applied · Last updated 2026