How does Memphis HVAC pay compare to the Tennessee average?

Memphis HVAC technicians earn $51,809/year, which is $1,509 above the Tennessee state median of $50,300 (+3%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Memphis?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Memphis are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$60,309), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Memphis, Tennessee · HVAC Technician Salary

$51,809/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $51,809 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $38,339 and $68,906 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Memphis, Tennessee, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $38,339 at the 25th percentile to $68,906 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$38,339

Median

$51,809

75th Percentile

$68,906

vs. State Median

+3%

Salary by Experience Level in Memphis

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$36,266	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$45,592	$22/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$51,809	$25/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$59,580	$29/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$66,316	$32/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Memphis

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$55,309/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$60,309/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$56,009/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$53,809/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Memphis

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$51,809	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$59,062	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$61,135	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$68,388	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$48,700	-6%

How Memphis Compares

vs. Tennessee Median

State median: $50,300/yr

+3% (+$1,509)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

-4% (-$2,419)

Nashville

Est. median: $55,833/yr

+$4,024

Chattanooga

Est. median: $50,803/yr

-$1,006

Knoxville

Est. median: $49,294/yr

-$2,515

Share your salary — help other techs

Anonymous. Takes 30 seconds. Kept confidential — only aggregated data is published.

Ready to find HVAC jobs in Memphis, Tennessee?

Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.

Browse HVAC Jobs in Memphis, Tennessee Tennessee salary overview

Other cities in Tennessee:

Nashville — $55,833 Chattanooga — $50,803 Knoxville — $49,294 ← Tennessee overview

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