How does Cleveland HVAC pay compare to the Ohio average?

Cleveland HVAC technicians earn $56,784/year, which is $2,184 above the Ohio state median of $54,600 (+4%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Cleveland?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Cleveland are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$65,284), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Cleveland, Ohio · HVAC Technician Salary

$56,784/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Cleveland, Ohio?

The median HVAC technician salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $56,784 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $42,020 and $75,523 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Cleveland, Ohio, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $42,020 at the 25th percentile to $75,523 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$42,020

Median

$56,784

75th Percentile

$75,523

vs. State Median

+4%

Salary by Experience Level in Cleveland

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$39,749	$19/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$49,970	$24/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$56,784	$27/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$65,302	$31/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$72,684	$35/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Cleveland

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$60,284/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$65,284/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$60,984/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$58,784/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Cleveland

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$56,784	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$64,734	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$67,005	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$74,955	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$53,377	-6%

How Cleveland Compares

vs. Ohio Median

State median: $54,600/yr

+4% (+$2,184)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+5% (+$2,556)

Cincinnati

Est. median: $58,422/yr

+$1,638

Columbus

Est. median: $57,876/yr

+$1,092

Dayton

Est. median: $52,962/yr

-$3,822

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Other cities in Ohio:

Cincinnati — $58,422 Columbus — $57,876 Dayton — $52,962 ← Ohio overview

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