How does Richmond HVAC pay compare to the Virginia average?

Richmond HVAC technicians earn $57,459/year, which is $3,759 above the Virginia state median of $53,700 (+7%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Richmond?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Richmond are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$65,959), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Richmond, Virginia · HVAC Technician Salary

$57,459/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Richmond, Virginia is $57,459 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $42,520 and $76,420 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Richmond, Virginia, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $42,520 at the 25th percentile to $76,420 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$42,520

Median

$57,459

75th Percentile

$76,420

vs. State Median

+7%

Salary by Experience Level in Richmond

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$40,221	$19/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$50,564	$24/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$57,459	$28/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$66,078	$32/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$73,548	$35/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Richmond

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$60,959/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$65,959/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$61,659/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$59,459/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Richmond

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$57,459	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$65,503	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$67,802	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$75,846	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$54,011	-6%

How Richmond Compares

vs. Virginia Median

State median: $53,700/yr

+7% (+$3,759)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+6% (+$3,231)

Arlington

Est. median: $61,755/yr

+$4,296

Virginia Beach

Est. median: $55,848/yr

-$1,611

Norfolk

Est. median: $54,774/yr

-$2,685

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Other cities in Virginia:

Arlington — $61,755 Virginia Beach — $55,848 Norfolk — $54,774 ← Virginia overview

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