What is the average HVAC salary in Houston, Texas?

The median HVAC technician salary in Houston, Texas is $61,344 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $45,395 and $81,588 annually.

How does Houston HVAC pay compare to the Texas average?

Houston HVAC technicians earn $61,344/year, which is $4,544 above the Texas state median of $56,800 (+8%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Houston?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Houston are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$69,844), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Houston, Texas · HVAC Technician Salary

$61,344/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Houston, Texas, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $45,395 at the 25th percentile to $81,588 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$45,395

Median

$61,344

75th Percentile

$81,588

vs. State Median

+8%

Salary by Experience Level in Houston

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$42,941	$21/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$53,983	$26/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$61,344	$29/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$70,546	$34/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$78,520	$38/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Houston

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$64,844/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$69,844/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$65,544/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$63,344/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Houston

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$61,344	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$69,932	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$72,386	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$80,974	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$57,663	-6%

How Houston Compares

vs. Texas Median

State median: $56,800/yr

+8% (+$4,544)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+13% (+$7,116)

Austin

Est. median: $64,752/yr

+$3,408

Dallas

Est. median: $63,048/yr

+$1,704

Fort Worth

Est. median: $60,776/yr

-$568

San Antonio

Est. median: $55,664/yr

-$5,680

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Other cities in Texas:

Austin — $64,752 Dallas — $63,048 Fort Worth — $60,776 San Antonio — $55,664 ← Texas overview

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