What is the average HVAC technician salary in South Carolina?

The median HVAC technician salary in South Carolina is $49,600 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $36,704 and $65,968 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in South Carolina?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in South Carolina, bringing total annual earnings to around $53,100. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $58,100.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in South Carolina?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in South Carolina, with an estimated median of $65,472 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 South Carolina HVAC salary compare to the national average?

South Carolina HVAC technicians earn $49,600/year, which is $4,628 below the national median of $54,228 (-9%). South Carolina ranks #43 out of 51 states and territories.

South Carolina · HVAC Technician Salary

$49,600/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in South Carolina, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $36,704 at the 25th percentile to $65,968 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$36,704

Median

$49,600

75th Percentile

$65,968

National Rank

#43 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$34,720	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$43,648	$21/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$49,600	$24/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$57,040	$27/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$63,488	$31/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in South Carolina

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$53,100/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$58,100/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$53,800/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$51,600/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in South Carolina

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$49,600	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$56,544	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$58,528	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$65,472	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$46,624	-6%

Top Paying Cities in South Carolina

City / Metro	Est. Median	vs. State Median
Charleston	$54,064	+$4,464
Greenville	$51,584	+$1,984
Columbia	$51,088	+$1,488

City estimates use metro-area wage adjustment factors derived from BLS OEWS metro-level data.

How South Carolina Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · South Carolina ranks #43 of 51 states

-9% (-$4,628)

Montana

Median: $49,800/yr

+$200

New Mexico

Median: $49,400/yr

-$200

South Dakota

Median: $50,100/yr

+$500

Missouri

Median: $50,200/yr

+$600

Highest-paying states vs South Carolina

Illinois$72,100+$22,500

Washington$70,200+$20,600

Washington D.C.$68,700+$19,100

Massachusetts$68,400+$18,800

New York$66,900+$17,300

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Need to know licensing requirements in South Carolina?

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

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Montana — $49,800 New Mexico — $49,400 South Dakota — $50,100 Missouri — $50,200

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