What is the average HVAC technician salary in Rhode Island?

The median HVAC technician salary in Rhode Island is $62,300 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $46,102 and $82,859 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in Rhode Island?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in Rhode Island, bringing total annual earnings to around $65,800. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $70,800.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Rhode Island?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Rhode Island, with an estimated median of $82,236 per year — approximately 32% above the residential service baseline. Commercial HVAC and refrigeration roles also pay above average at +14% and +18% respectively.

How does Rhode Island HVAC salary compare to the national average?

Rhode Island HVAC technicians earn $62,300/year, which is $8,072 above the national median of $54,228 (+15%). Rhode Island ranks #10 out of 51 states and territories.

Rhode Island · HVAC Technician Salary

$62,300/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Rhode Island, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $46,102 at the 25th percentile to $82,859 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$46,102

Median

$62,300

75th Percentile

$82,859

National Rank

#10 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$43,610	$21/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$54,824	$26/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$62,300	$30/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$71,645	$34/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$79,744	$38/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Rhode Island

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$65,800/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$70,800/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$66,500/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$64,300/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Rhode Island

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$62,300	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$71,022	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$73,514	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$82,236	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$58,562	-6%

How Rhode Island Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · Rhode Island ranks #10 of 51 states

+15% (+$8,072)

Nevada

Median: $61,800/yr

-$500

Hawaii

Median: $63,100/yr

+$800

California

Median: $61,300/yr

-$1,000

Minnesota

Median: $63,700/yr

+$1,400

Highest-paying states vs Rhode Island

Illinois$72,100+$9,800

Washington$70,200+$7,900

Washington D.C.$68,700+$6,400

Massachusetts$68,400+$6,100

New York$66,900+$4,600

Share your salary — help other techs

Anonymous. Takes 30 seconds. Kept confidential — only aggregated data is published.

Ready to find HVAC jobs in Rhode Island?

Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.

Browse HVAC Jobs in Rhode Island View all state salaries Hiring in Rhode Island? Use Pay Rate Calculator

Need to know licensing requirements in Rhode Island?

EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Nevada — $61,800 Hawaii — $63,100 California — $61,300 Minnesota — $63,700

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026