Columbia, South Carolina · HVAC Technician Salary
Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Columbia, South Carolina, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $37,805 at the 25th percentile to $67,947 at the 75th.
25th Percentile
$37,805
Median
$51,088
75th Percentile
$67,947
vs. State Median
+3%
| Level | Est. Annual |
|---|---|
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs | $35,762 |
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs | $44,957 |
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs |
Open Listings
4
active positions
Salary Range
$64,480
to $148,609
Avg Posted Salary
$85,125
midpoint avg/yr
Live data from HVACJobs.IO listings — refreshed every 24 hours. Salary range reflects annual equivalent across all active listings.
Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K
With cert: ~$54,588/yr
Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium
With cert: ~$59,588/yr
Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it
With cert: ~$55,288/yr
Opens commercial and government service contracts
| Specialization | Est. Median |
|---|---|
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area | $51,088 |
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity | $58,240 |
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium | $60,284 |
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin | $67,436 |
State median: $49,600/yr
vs. National Median
National: $54,228/yr
Est. median: $54,064/yr
Est. median: $51,584/yr
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Data Sources
City salary estimate derived from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021) with metro-area wage adjustment factors. Certification premiums from ACCA contractor salary survey 2024. Live listing data from HVACJobs.IO employer-posted positions with verified salary ranges.
Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.
Other cities in South Carolina:
Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Metro-area adjustment applied · Last updated 2026
| $51,088 |
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs | $58,751 |
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs | $65,393 |
Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Columbia median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.
With cert: ~$53,088/yr
Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Columbia wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles | $48,023 |
