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

Raleigh HVAC technicians earn $58,016/year, which is $6,216 above the North Carolina state median of $51,800 (+12%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Raleigh?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Raleigh are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$66,516), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Raleigh, North Carolina · HVAC Technician Salary

$58,016/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $58,016 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $42,932 and $77,161 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Raleigh, North Carolina, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $42,932 at the 25th percentile to $77,161 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$42,932

Median

$58,016

75th Percentile

$77,161

vs. State Median

+12%

Salary by Experience Level in Raleigh

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$40,611	$20/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$51,054	$25/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$58,016	$28/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$66,718	$32/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$74,260	$36/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Raleigh

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$61,516/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$66,516/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$62,216/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$60,016/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Raleigh

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$58,016	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$66,138	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$68,459	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$76,581	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$54,535	-6%

How Raleigh Compares

vs. North Carolina Median

State median: $51,800/yr

+12% (+$6,216)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+7% (+$3,788)

Charlotte

Est. median: $56,462/yr

-$1,554

Durham

Est. median: $55,944/yr

-$2,072

Greensboro

Est. median: $50,764/yr

-$7,252

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Other cities in North Carolina:

Charlotte — $56,462 Durham — $55,944 Greensboro — $50,764 ← North Carolina overview

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