How does Norfolk HVAC pay compare to the Virginia average?

Norfolk HVAC technicians earn $54,774/year, which is $1,074 above the Virginia state median of $53,700 (+2%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Norfolk?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Norfolk are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$63,274), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Norfolk, Virginia · HVAC Technician Salary

$54,774/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Norfolk, Virginia?

The median HVAC technician salary in Norfolk, Virginia is $54,774 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $40,533 and $72,849 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Norfolk, Virginia, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $40,533 at the 25th percentile to $72,849 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$40,533

Median

$54,774

75th Percentile

$72,849

vs. State Median

+2%

Salary by Experience Level in Norfolk

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$38,342	$18/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$48,201	$23/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$54,774	$26/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$62,990	$30/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$70,111	$34/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Norfolk

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$58,274/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$63,274/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$58,974/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$56,774/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Norfolk

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$54,774	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$62,442	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$64,633	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$72,302	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$51,488	-6%

How Norfolk Compares

vs. Virginia Median

State median: $53,700/yr

+2% (+$1,074)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+1% (+$546)

Arlington

Est. median: $61,755/yr

+$6,981

Richmond

Est. median: $57,459/yr

+$2,685

Virginia Beach

Est. median: $55,848/yr

+$1,074

Share your salary — help other techs

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

Ready to find HVAC jobs in Norfolk, Virginia?

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

Browse HVAC Jobs in Norfolk, Virginia Virginia salary overview

Other cities in Virginia:

Arlington — $61,755 Richmond — $57,459 Virginia Beach — $55,848 ← Virginia overview

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