How does Chattanooga HVAC pay compare to the Tennessee average?

Chattanooga HVAC technicians earn $50,803/year, which is $503 above the Tennessee state median of $50,300 (+1%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Chattanooga?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Chattanooga are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$59,303), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Chattanooga, Tennessee · HVAC Technician Salary

$50,803/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

The median HVAC technician salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee is $50,803 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $37,594 and $67,568 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $37,594 at the 25th percentile to $67,568 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$37,594

Median

$50,803

75th Percentile

$67,568

vs. State Median

+1%

Salary by Experience Level in Chattanooga

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$35,562	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$44,707	$21/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$50,803	$24/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$58,423	$28/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$65,028	$31/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Chattanooga

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$54,303/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$59,303/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$55,003/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$52,803/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Chattanooga

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$50,803	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$57,915	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$59,948	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$67,060	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$47,755	-6%

How Chattanooga Compares

vs. Tennessee Median

State median: $50,300/yr

+1% (+$503)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

-6% (-$3,425)

Nashville

Est. median: $55,833/yr

+$5,030

Memphis

Est. median: $51,809/yr

+$1,006

Knoxville

Est. median: $49,294/yr

-$1,509

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Other cities in Tennessee:

Nashville — $55,833 Memphis — $51,809 Knoxville — $49,294 ← Tennessee overview

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