How does Knoxville HVAC pay compare to the Tennessee average?

Knoxville HVAC technicians earn $49,294/year, which is $1,006 below the Tennessee state median of $50,300 (-2%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Knoxville?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Knoxville are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$57,794), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Knoxville, Tennessee · HVAC Technician Salary

$49,294/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $49,294 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $36,478 and $65,561 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Knoxville, Tennessee, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $36,478 at the 25th percentile to $65,561 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$36,478

Median

$49,294

75th Percentile

$65,561

vs. State Median

-2%

Salary by Experience Level in Knoxville

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$34,506	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$43,379	$21/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$49,294	$24/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$56,688	$27/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$63,096	$30/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Knoxville

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$52,794/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$57,794/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$53,494/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$51,294/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Knoxville

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$49,294	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$56,195	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$58,167	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$65,068	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$46,336	-6%

How Knoxville Compares

vs. Tennessee Median

State median: $50,300/yr

-2% (-$1,006)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

-9% (-$4,934)

Nashville

Est. median: $55,833/yr

+$6,539

Memphis

Est. median: $51,809/yr

+$2,515

Chattanooga

Est. median: $50,803/yr

+$1,509

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Other cities in Tennessee:

Nashville — $55,833 Memphis — $51,809 Chattanooga — $50,803 ← Tennessee overview

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