How does San Antonio HVAC pay compare to the Texas average?

San Antonio HVAC technicians earn $55,664/year, which is $1,136 below the Texas state median of $56,800 (-2%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in San Antonio?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in San Antonio are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$64,164), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

San Antonio, Texas · HVAC Technician Salary

$55,664/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in San Antonio, Texas?

The median HVAC technician salary in San Antonio, Texas is $55,664 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $41,191 and $74,033 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in San Antonio, Texas, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $41,191 at the 25th percentile to $74,033 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$41,191

Median

$55,664

75th Percentile

$74,033

vs. State Median

-2%

Salary by Experience Level in San Antonio

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$38,965	$19/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$48,984	$24/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$55,664	$27/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$64,014	$31/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$71,250	$34/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in San Antonio

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$59,164/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$64,164/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$59,864/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$57,664/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in San Antonio

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$55,664	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$63,457	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$65,684	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$73,476	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$52,324	-6%

How San Antonio Compares

vs. Texas Median

State median: $56,800/yr

-2% (-$1,136)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+3% (+$1,436)

Austin

Est. median: $64,752/yr

+$9,088

Dallas

Est. median: $63,048/yr

+$7,384

Houston

Est. median: $61,344/yr

+$5,680

Fort Worth

Est. median: $60,776/yr

+$5,112

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Other cities in Texas:

Austin — $64,752 Dallas — $63,048 Houston — $61,344 Fort Worth — $60,776 ← Texas overview

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