How does Aurora HVAC pay compare to the Illinois average?

Aurora HVAC technicians earn $76,426/year, which is $4,326 above the Illinois state median of $72,100 (+6%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Aurora?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Aurora are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$84,926), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Aurora, Illinois · HVAC Technician Salary

$76,426/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Aurora, Illinois?

The median HVAC technician salary in Aurora, Illinois is $76,426 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $56,555 and $101,647 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Aurora, Illinois, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $56,555 at the 25th percentile to $101,647 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$56,555

Median

$76,426

75th Percentile

$101,647

vs. State Median

+6%

Salary by Experience Level in Aurora

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$53,498	$26/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$67,255	$32/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$76,426	$37/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$87,890	$42/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$97,825	$47/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Aurora

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$79,926/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$84,926/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$80,626/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$78,426/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Aurora

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$76,426	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$87,126	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$90,183	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$100,882	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$71,840	-6%

How Aurora Compares

vs. Illinois Median

State median: $72,100/yr

+6% (+$4,326)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+41% (+$22,198)

Chicago

Est. median: $82,194/yr

+$5,768

Naperville

Est. median: $78,589/yr

+$2,163

Rockford

Est. median: $68,495/yr

-$7,931

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Other cities in Illinois:

Chicago — $82,194 Naperville — $78,589 Rockford — $68,495 ← Illinois overview

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