How does New Orleans HVAC pay compare to the Louisiana average?

New Orleans HVAC technicians earn $50,986/year, which is $2,886 above the Louisiana state median of $48,100 (+6%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in New Orleans?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in New Orleans are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$59,486), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

New Orleans, Louisiana · HVAC Technician Salary

$50,986/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in New Orleans, Louisiana?

The median HVAC technician salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $50,986 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $37,730 and $67,811 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in New Orleans, Louisiana, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $37,730 at the 25th percentile to $67,811 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$37,730

Median

$50,986

75th Percentile

$67,811

vs. State Median

+6%

Salary by Experience Level in New Orleans

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$35,690	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$44,868	$22/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$50,986	$25/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$58,634	$28/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$65,262	$31/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in New Orleans

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$54,486/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$59,486/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$55,186/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$52,986/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in New Orleans

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$50,986	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$58,124	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$60,163	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$67,302	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$47,927	-6%

How New Orleans Compares

vs. Louisiana Median

State median: $48,100/yr

+6% (+$2,886)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

-6% (-$3,242)

Baton Rouge

Est. median: $49,543/yr

-$1,443

Shreveport

Est. median: $46,176/yr

-$4,810

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Other cities in Louisiana:

Baton Rouge — $49,543 Shreveport — $46,176 ← Louisiana overview

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