What is the average HVAC technician salary in Tennessee?

The median HVAC technician salary in Tennessee is $50,300 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $37,222 and $66,899 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in Tennessee?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in Tennessee, bringing total annual earnings to around $53,800. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $58,800.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Tennessee?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Tennessee, with an estimated median of $66,396 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 Tennessee HVAC salary compare to the national average?

Tennessee HVAC technicians earn $50,300/year, which is $3,928 below the national median of $54,228 (-7%). Tennessee ranks #39 out of 51 states and territories.

Tennessee · HVAC Technician Salary

$50,300/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Tennessee, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $37,222 at the 25th percentile to $66,899 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$37,222

Median

$50,300

75th Percentile

$66,899

National Rank

#39 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$35,210	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$44,264	$21/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$50,300	$24/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$57,845	$28/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$64,384	$31/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Tennessee

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$53,800/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$58,800/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$54,500/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$52,300/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Tennessee

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$50,300	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$57,342	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$59,354	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$66,396	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$47,282	-6%

Top Paying Cities in Tennessee

City / Metro	Est. Median	vs. State Median
Nashville	$55,833	+$5,533
Memphis	$51,809	+$1,509
Chattanooga	$50,803	+$503
Knoxville	$49,294	-$1,006

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

How Tennessee Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · Tennessee ranks #39 of 51 states

-7% (-$3,928)

Missouri

Median: $50,200/yr

-$100

South Dakota

Median: $50,100/yr

-$200

Kansas

Median: $50,800/yr

+$500

Montana

Median: $49,800/yr

-$500

Highest-paying states vs Tennessee

Illinois$72,100+$21,800

Washington$70,200+$19,900

Washington D.C.$68,700+$18,400

Massachusetts$68,400+$18,100

New York$66,900+$16,600

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Need to know licensing requirements in Tennessee?

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

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Missouri — $50,200 South Dakota — $50,100 Kansas — $50,800 Montana — $49,800

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