How does Tucson HVAC pay compare to the Arizona average?

Tucson HVAC technicians earn $53,856/year, which is $2,244 below the Arizona state median of $56,100 (-4%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Tucson?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Tucson are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$62,356), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Tucson, Arizona · HVAC Technician Salary

$53,856/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Tucson, Arizona?

The median HVAC technician salary in Tucson, Arizona is $53,856 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $39,853 and $71,628 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Tucson, Arizona, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $39,853 at the 25th percentile to $71,628 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$39,853

Median

$53,856

75th Percentile

$71,628

vs. State Median

-4%

Salary by Experience Level in Tucson

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$37,699	$18/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$47,393	$23/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$53,856	$26/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$61,934	$30/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$68,936	$33/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Tucson

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$57,356/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$62,356/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$58,056/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$55,856/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Tucson

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$53,856	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$61,396	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$63,550	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$71,090	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$50,625	-6%

How Tucson Compares

vs. Arizona Median

State median: $56,100/yr

-4% (-$2,244)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

-1% (-$372)

Scottsdale

Est. median: $61,710/yr

+$7,854

Chandler

Est. median: $59,466/yr

+$5,610

Phoenix

Est. median: $58,905/yr

+$5,049

Mesa

Est. median: $57,783/yr

+$3,927

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Other cities in Arizona:

Scottsdale — $61,710 Chandler — $59,466 Phoenix — $58,905 Mesa — $57,783 ← Arizona overview

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