How does Seattle HVAC pay compare to the Washington average?

Seattle HVAC technicians earn $79,326/year, which is $9,126 above the Washington state median of $70,200 (+13%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Seattle?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Seattle are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$87,826), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Seattle, Washington · HVAC Technician Salary

$79,326/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Seattle, Washington?

The median HVAC technician salary in Seattle, Washington is $79,326 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $58,701 and $105,504 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Seattle, Washington, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $58,701 at the 25th percentile to $105,504 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$58,701

Median

$79,326

75th Percentile

$105,504

vs. State Median

+13%

Salary by Experience Level in Seattle

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$55,528	$27/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$69,807	$34/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$79,326	$38/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$91,225	$44/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$101,537	$49/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in Seattle

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$82,826/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$87,826/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$83,526/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$81,326/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in Seattle

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$79,326	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$90,432	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$93,605	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$104,710	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$74,566	-6%

How Seattle Compares

vs. Washington Median

State median: $70,200/yr

+13% (+$9,126)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+46% (+$25,098)

Bellevue

Est. median: $80,730/yr

+$1,404

Tacoma

Est. median: $74,412/yr

-$4,914

Spokane

Est. median: $65,286/yr

-$14,040

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Other cities in Washington:

Bellevue — $80,730 Tacoma — $74,412 Spokane — $65,286 ← Washington overview

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