How does Charleston HVAC pay compare to the South Carolina average?

Charleston HVAC technicians earn $54,064/year, which is $4,464 above the South Carolina state median of $49,600 (+9%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Charleston?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Charleston are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$62,564), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Charleston, South Carolina · HVAC Technician Salary

$54,064/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Charleston, South Carolina?

The median HVAC technician salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $54,064 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $40,007 and $71,905 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Charleston, South Carolina, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $40,007 at the 25th percentile to $71,905 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$40,007

Median

$54,064

75th Percentile

$71,905

vs. State Median

+9%

Salary by Experience Level in Charleston

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$37,845	$18/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$47,576	$23/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$54,064	$26/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$62,174	$30/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$69,202	$33/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Charleston

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$57,564/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$62,564/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$58,264/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$56,064/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Charleston

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$54,064	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$61,633	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$63,796	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$71,364	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$50,820	-6%

How Charleston Compares

vs. South Carolina Median

State median: $49,600/yr

+9% (+$4,464)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

0% (-$164)

Greenville

Est. median: $51,584/yr

-$2,480

Columbia

Est. median: $51,088/yr

-$2,976

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Other cities in South Carolina:

Greenville — $51,584 Columbia — $51,088 ← South Carolina overview

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