What is the average HVAC technician salary in Kentucky?

The median HVAC technician salary in Kentucky is $47,900 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $35,446 and $63,707 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in Kentucky?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in Kentucky, bringing total annual earnings to around $51,400. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $56,400.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Kentucky?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Kentucky, with an estimated median of $63,228 per year — approximately 32% above the residential service baseline. Commercial HVAC and refrigeration roles also pay above average at +14% and +18% respectively.

How does Kentucky HVAC salary compare to the national average?

Kentucky HVAC technicians earn $47,900/year, which is $6,328 below the national median of $54,228 (-12%). Kentucky ranks #47 out of 51 states and territories.

Kentucky · HVAC Technician Salary

$47,900/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Kentucky, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $35,446 at the 25th percentile to $63,707 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$35,446

Median

$47,900

75th Percentile

$63,707

National Rank

#47 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$33,530	$16/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$42,152	$20/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$47,900	$23/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$55,085	$26/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$61,312	$29/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Kentucky

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$51,400/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$56,400/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$52,100/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$49,900/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Kentucky

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$47,900	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$54,606	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$56,522	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$63,228	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$45,026	-6%

How Kentucky Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · Kentucky ranks #47 of 51 states

-12% (-$6,328)

Louisiana

Median: $48,100/yr

+$200

Oklahoma

Median: $48,700/yr

+$800

New Mexico

Median: $49,400/yr

+$1,500

Alabama

Median: $46,200/yr

-$1,700

Highest-paying states vs Kentucky

Illinois$72,100+$24,200

Washington$70,200+$22,300

Washington D.C.$68,700+$20,800

Massachusetts$68,400+$20,500

New York$66,900+$19,000

Share your salary — help other techs

Anonymous. Takes 30 seconds. Kept confidential — only aggregated data is published.

Ready to find HVAC jobs in Kentucky?

Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.

Browse HVAC Jobs in Kentucky View all state salaries Hiring in Kentucky? Use Pay Rate Calculator

Need to know licensing requirements in Kentucky?

EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Louisiana — $48,100 Oklahoma — $48,700 New Mexico — $49,400 Alabama — $46,200

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026