What is the average HVAC salary in Columbus, Ohio?

The median HVAC technician salary in Columbus, Ohio is $57,876 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $42,828 and $76,975 annually.

How does Columbus HVAC pay compare to the Ohio average?

Columbus HVAC technicians earn $57,876/year, which is $3,276 above the Ohio state median of $54,600 (+6%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Columbus?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Columbus are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$66,376), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Columbus, Ohio · HVAC Technician Salary

$57,876/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Columbus, Ohio, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $42,828 at the 25th percentile to $76,975 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$42,828

Median

$57,876

75th Percentile

$76,975

vs. State Median

+6%

Salary by Experience Level in Columbus

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$40,513	$19/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$50,931	$24/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$57,876	$28/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$66,557	$32/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$74,081	$36/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Columbus

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$61,376/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$66,376/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$62,076/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$59,876/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Columbus

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$57,876	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$65,979	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$68,294	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$76,396	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$54,403	-6%

How Columbus Compares

vs. Ohio Median

State median: $54,600/yr

+6% (+$3,276)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+7% (+$3,648)

Cincinnati

Est. median: $58,422/yr

+$546

Cleveland

Est. median: $56,784/yr

-$1,092

Dayton

Est. median: $52,962/yr

-$4,914

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Other cities in Ohio:

Cincinnati — $58,422 Cleveland — $56,784 Dayton — $52,962 ← Ohio overview

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