Rochester, New York · HVAC Technician Salary
Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Rochester, New York, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $47,526 at the 25th percentile to $85,418 at the 75th.
25th Percentile
$47,526
Median
$64,224
75th Percentile
$85,418
vs. State Median
-4%
| Level | Est. Annual |
|---|---|
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs | $44,957 |
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs | $56,517 |
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs | $64,224 |
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs | $73,858 |
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs | $82,207 |
Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Rochester median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.
Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K
With cert: ~$67,724/yr
Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium
With cert: ~$72,724/yr
Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it
With cert: ~$68,424/yr
Opens commercial and government service contracts
With cert: ~$66,224/yr
Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Rochester wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.
| Specialization | Est. Median |
|---|---|
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area | $64,224 |
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity | $73,215 |
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium | $75,784 |
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin | $84,776 |
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles | $60,371 |
vs. New York Median
State median: $66,900/yr
vs. National Median
National: $54,228/yr
Est. median: $85,632/yr
Est. median: $68,907/yr
Est. median: $62,886/yr
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Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Metro-area adjustment applied · Last updated 2026