What is the average HVAC technician salary in Washington?

The median HVAC technician salary in Washington is $70,200 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $51,948 and $93,366 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in Washington?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in Washington, bringing total annual earnings to around $73,700. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $78,700.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Washington?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in Washington, with an estimated median of $92,664 per year — approximately 32% above the residential service baseline. Commercial HVAC and refrigeration roles also pay above average at +14% and +18% respectively.

How does Washington HVAC salary compare to the national average?

Washington HVAC technicians earn $70,200/year, which is $15,972 above the national median of $54,228 (+29%). Washington ranks #2 out of 51 states and territories.

Washington · HVAC Technician Salary

$70,200/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Washington, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $51,948 at the 25th percentile to $93,366 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$51,948

Median

$70,200

75th Percentile

$93,366

National Rank

#2 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in Washington

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$49,140	$24/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$61,776	$30/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$70,200	$34/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$80,730	$39/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$89,856	$43/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Washington

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$73,700/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$78,700/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$74,400/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$72,200/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Washington

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$70,200	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$80,028	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$82,836	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$92,664	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$65,988	-6%

Top Paying Cities in Washington

City / Metro	Est. Median	vs. State Median
Bellevue	$80,730	+$10,530
Seattle	$79,326	+$9,126
Tacoma	$74,412	+$4,212
Spokane	$65,286	-$4,914

City estimates use metro-area wage adjustment factors derived from BLS OEWS metro-level data.

How Washington Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · Washington ranks #2 of 51 states

+29% (+$15,972)

Washington D.C.

Median: $68,700/yr

-$1,500

Massachusetts

Median: $68,400/yr

-$1,800

Illinois

Median: $72,100/yr

+$1,900

New York

Median: $66,900/yr

-$3,300

Highest-paying states vs Washington

Illinois$72,100+$1,900

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Need to know licensing requirements in Washington?

EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Washington D.C. — $68,700 Massachusetts — $68,400 Illinois — $72,100 New York — $66,900

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026

Salary by Experience Level in Washington

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$49,140	$24/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$61,776	$30/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$70,200	$34/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$80,730	$39/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$89,856	$43/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Washington

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$73,700/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$78,700/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$74,400/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$72,200/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Washington

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$70,200	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$80,028	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$82,836	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$92,664	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$65,988	-6%

City / Metro

Est. Median

$80,730

$79,326

$74,412

$65,286

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