Kentucky · HVAC Technician Salary
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
| Level | Est. Annual |
|---|---|
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs | $33,530 |
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs | $42,152 |
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs |
Open Listings
6
active positions
Salary Range
$54,080
to $97,087
Avg Posted Salary
$71,687
midpoint avg/yr
| Job Type | Listings | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 5 | $71,465 |
| Controls | 1 | $72,800 |
Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K
With cert: ~$51,400/yr
Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium
With cert: ~$56,400/yr
Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it
With cert: ~$52,100/yr
Opens commercial and government service contracts
| Specialization | Est. Median |
|---|---|
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state | $47,900 |
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity | $54,606 |
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium | $56,522 |
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin | $63,228 |
| City / Metro | Est. Median |
|---|---|
| Louisville | $51,732 |
| Lexington | $50,774 |
| Covington | $50,295 |
vs. National Median
National: $54,228/yr · Kentucky ranks #47 of 51 states
Median: $48,100/yr
Median: $48,700/yr
Median: $49,400/yr
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Data Sources
State median salary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release, SOC 49-9021 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). Experience-level and specialization estimates apply BLS-observed wage progression ratios. Certification premiums from ACCA contractor salary survey 2024. Live listing data from HVACJobs.IO employer-posted positions with verified salary ranges.
Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.
Need to know licensing requirements in Kentucky?
EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.
Compare with other states:
Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026
| $47,900 |
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs | $55,085 |
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs | $61,312 |
Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Kentucky median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.
Live data from HVACJobs.IO listings — refreshed every 24 hours. Salary range reflects annual equivalent across all active listings.
With cert: ~$49,900/yr
Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Kentucky wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles | $45,026 |
| Bowling Green | $46,463 |
City estimates use metro-area wage adjustment factors derived from BLS OEWS metro-level data.
Median: $46,200/yr
Highest-paying states vs Kentucky
