How does Virginia Beach HVAC pay compare to the Virginia average?

Virginia Beach HVAC technicians earn $55,848/year, which is $2,148 above the Virginia state median of $53,700 (+4%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Virginia Beach?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Virginia Beach are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$64,348), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Virginia Beach, Virginia · HVAC Technician Salary

$55,848/year

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

The median HVAC technician salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia is $55,848 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $41,328 and $74,278 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $41,328 at the 25th percentile to $74,278 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$41,328

Median

$55,848

75th Percentile

$74,278

vs. State Median

+4%

Salary by Experience Level in Virginia Beach

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$39,094	$19/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$49,146	$24/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$55,848	$27/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$64,225	$31/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$71,485	$34/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Virginia Beach

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$59,348/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$64,348/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$60,048/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$57,848/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Virginia Beach

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$55,848	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$63,667	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$65,901	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$73,719	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$52,497	-6%

How Virginia Beach Compares

vs. Virginia Median

State median: $53,700/yr

+4% (+$2,148)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+3% (+$1,620)

Arlington

Est. median: $61,755/yr

+$5,907

Richmond

Est. median: $57,459/yr

+$1,611

Norfolk

Est. median: $54,774/yr

-$1,074

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Other cities in Virginia:

Arlington — $61,755 Richmond — $57,459 Norfolk — $54,774 ← Virginia overview

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