How does Durham HVAC pay compare to the North Carolina average?

Durham HVAC technicians earn $55,944/year, which is $4,144 above the North Carolina state median of $51,800 (+8%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Durham?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Durham are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$64,444), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Durham, North Carolina · HVAC Technician Salary

$55,944/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Durham, North Carolina?

The median HVAC technician salary in Durham, North Carolina is $55,944 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $41,399 and $74,406 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Durham, North Carolina, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $41,399 at the 25th percentile to $74,406 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$41,399

Median

$55,944

75th Percentile

$74,406

vs. State Median

+8%

Salary by Experience Level in Durham

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$39,161	$19/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$49,231	$24/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$55,944	$27/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$64,336	$31/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$71,608	$34/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Durham

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$59,444/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$64,444/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$60,144/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$57,944/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Durham

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$55,944	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$63,776	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$66,014	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$73,846	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$52,587	-6%

How Durham Compares

vs. North Carolina Median

State median: $51,800/yr

+8% (+$4,144)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+3% (+$1,716)

Raleigh

Est. median: $58,016/yr

+$2,072

Charlotte

Est. median: $56,462/yr

+$518

Greensboro

Est. median: $50,764/yr

-$5,180

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Other cities in North Carolina:

Raleigh — $58,016 Charlotte — $56,462 Greensboro — $50,764 ← North Carolina overview

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