How does Fort Collins HVAC pay compare to the Colorado average?

Fort Collins HVAC technicians earn $60,060/year, which is $2,860 above the Colorado state median of $57,200 (+5%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Fort Collins?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Fort Collins are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$68,560), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Fort Collins, Colorado · HVAC Technician Salary

$60,060/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $60,060 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $44,444 and $79,880 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Fort Collins, Colorado, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $44,444 at the 25th percentile to $79,880 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$44,444

Median

$60,060

75th Percentile

$79,880

vs. State Median

+5%

Salary by Experience Level in Fort Collins

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$42,042	$20/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$52,853	$25/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$60,060	$29/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$69,069	$33/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$76,877	$37/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Fort Collins

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$63,560/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$68,560/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$64,260/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$62,060/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Fort Collins

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$60,060	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$68,468	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$70,871	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$79,279	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$56,456	-6%

How Fort Collins Compares

vs. Colorado Median

State median: $57,200/yr

+5% (+$2,860)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+11% (+$5,832)

Denver

Est. median: $62,920/yr

+$2,860

Aurora

Est. median: $61,204/yr

+$1,144

Colorado Springs

Est. median: $56,056/yr

-$4,004

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Other cities in Colorado:

Denver — $62,920 Aurora — $61,204 Colorado Springs — $56,056 ← Colorado overview

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