How does Chicago HVAC pay compare to the Illinois average?

Chicago HVAC technicians earn $82,194/year, which is $10,094 above the Illinois state median of $72,100 (+14%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Chicago?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Chicago are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$90,694), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Chicago, Illinois · HVAC Technician Salary

$82,194/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Chicago, Illinois is $82,194 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $60,824 and $109,318 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Chicago, Illinois, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $60,824 at the 25th percentile to $109,318 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$60,824

Median

$82,194

75th Percentile

$109,318

vs. State Median

+14%

Salary by Experience Level in Chicago

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$57,536	$28/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$72,331	$35/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$82,194	$40/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$94,523	$45/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$105,208	$51/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Chicago

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$85,694/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$90,694/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$86,394/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$84,194/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Chicago

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$82,194	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$93,701	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$96,989	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$108,496	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$77,262	-6%

How Chicago Compares

vs. Illinois Median

State median: $72,100/yr

+14% (+$10,094)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+52% (+$27,966)

Naperville

Est. median: $78,589/yr

-$3,605

Aurora

Est. median: $76,426/yr

-$5,768

Rockford

Est. median: $68,495/yr

-$13,699

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Other cities in Illinois:

Naperville — $78,589 Aurora — $76,426 Rockford — $68,495 ← Illinois overview

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