How does Rockford HVAC pay compare to the Illinois average?

Rockford HVAC technicians earn $68,495/year, which is $3,605 below the Illinois state median of $72,100 (-5%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Rockford?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Rockford are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$76,995), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Rockford, Illinois · HVAC Technician Salary

$68,495/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Rockford, Illinois is $68,495 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $50,686 and $91,098 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Rockford, Illinois, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $50,686 at the 25th percentile to $91,098 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$50,686

Median

$68,495

75th Percentile

$91,098

vs. State Median

-5%

Salary by Experience Level in Rockford

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$47,947	$23/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$60,276	$29/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$68,495	$33/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$78,769	$38/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$87,674	$42/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Rockford

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$71,995/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$76,995/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$72,695/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$70,495/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Rockford

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$68,495	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$78,084	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$80,824	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$90,413	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$64,385	-6%

How Rockford Compares

vs. Illinois Median

State median: $72,100/yr

-5% (-$3,605)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+26% (+$14,267)

Chicago

Est. median: $82,194/yr

+$13,699

Naperville

Est. median: $78,589/yr

+$10,094

Aurora

Est. median: $76,426/yr

+$7,931

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Other cities in Illinois:

Chicago — $82,194 Naperville — $78,589 Aurora — $76,426 ← Illinois overview

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