Detroit, Michigan · HVAC Technician Salary
Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Detroit, Michigan, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $44,995 at the 25th percentile to $80,869 at the 75th.
25th Percentile
$44,995
Median
$60,804
75th Percentile
$80,869
vs. State Median
+8%
| Level | Est. Annual |
|---|---|
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs | $42,563 |
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs | $53,508 |
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs |
Open Listings
2
active positions
Salary Range
$79,040
to $91,520
Avg Posted Salary
$85,280
midpoint avg/yr
Live data from HVACJobs.IO listings — refreshed every 24 hours. Salary range reflects annual equivalent across all active listings.
Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K
With cert: ~$64,304/yr
Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium
With cert: ~$69,304/yr
Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it
With cert: ~$65,004/yr
Opens commercial and government service contracts
| Specialization | Est. Median |
|---|---|
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area | $60,804 |
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity | $69,317 |
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium | $71,749 |
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin | $80,261 |
vs. Michigan Median
State median: $56,300/yr
vs. National Median
National: $54,228/yr
Est. median: $61,930/yr
Est. median: $59,678/yr
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Data Sources
City salary estimate derived from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021) with metro-area wage adjustment factors. 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.
Other cities in Michigan:
Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Metro-area adjustment applied · Last updated 2026
| $60,804 |
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs | $69,925 |
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs | $77,829 |
Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Detroit median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.
With cert: ~$62,804/yr
Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Detroit wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles | $57,156 |
Est. median: $58,552/yr
