How does Denver HVAC pay compare to the Colorado average?

Denver HVAC technicians earn $62,920/year, which is $5,720 above the Colorado state median of $57,200 (+10%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Denver?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Denver are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$71,420), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Denver, Colorado · HVAC Technician Salary

$62,920/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Denver, Colorado?

The median HVAC technician salary in Denver, Colorado is $62,920 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $46,561 and $83,684 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Denver, Colorado, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $46,561 at the 25th percentile to $83,684 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$46,561

Median

$62,920

75th Percentile

$83,684

vs. State Median

+10%

Salary by Experience Level in Denver

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$44,044	$21/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$55,370	$27/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$62,920	$30/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$72,358	$35/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$80,538	$39/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Denver

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$66,420/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$71,420/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$67,120/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$64,920/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Denver

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$62,920	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$71,729	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$74,246	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$83,054	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$59,145	-6%

How Denver Compares

vs. Colorado Median

State median: $57,200/yr

+10% (+$5,720)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+16% (+$8,692)

Aurora

Est. median: $61,204/yr

-$1,716

Fort Collins

Est. median: $60,060/yr

-$2,860

Colorado Springs

Est. median: $56,056/yr

-$6,864

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Other cities in Colorado:

Aurora — $61,204 Fort Collins — $60,060 Colorado Springs — $56,056 ← Colorado overview

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