Texas HVAC Technician Salary: Average Pay (2026)
Thinking about training to become an HVAC technician in Texas?
You’re not alone - and you’re asking the right question:
“What kind of money can I actually make?”
The short answer: HVAC technicians in Texas earn solid wages, and the job growth projection on this page runs through 2030.
Quick answers
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,050 |
| 25th | $48,360 |
| 50th (median) | $61,010 |
| 75th | $77,060 |
| 90th | $95,210 |
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 425,200 |
| 2034 projected | 459,700 |
| Percent change | +8.1% |
Q: What is the average HVAC technician salary in Texas?
A: The statewide average is $52,180 per year ($25.09 per hour) based on BLS data.
Q: What do top earners make?
A: The BLS top 10% is $72,400+ per year. Senior tech and business owner pay can run higher depending on role.
Q: What do HVAC apprentices make in Texas?
A: The apprenticeship examples on this page start around $18-$19/hour, with top apprentice pay around $24-$25/hour.
Q: Which Texas cities pay HVAC techs the most?
A: In the city comparison on this page, Austin is listed highest at about $27.16/hour (about $56,492/year).
Q: What affects HVAC salary in Texas?
A: This page lists licensing level (TDLR registration and Class A or Class B), certifications, experience, and metro area.
Q: What is the HVAC job growth outlook in Texas?
A: The projection shown here is +15.4% through 2030 (Texas Workforce Commission).
At a glance
- Average pay (BLS): $52,180/year ($25.09/hour)
- Top 10% (BLS): $72,400+/year ($34.80+/hour)
- Apprentice pay examples: about $18-$25/hour
- Highest city listed: Austin at about $56,492/year
- Projected job growth (TWC): +15.4% through 2030
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), and Indeed (city comparisons)
Average HVAC Technician Salary in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Role | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide Average | $25.09 | $52,180 |
| Top 10% Earners | $34.80+ | $72,400+ |
Top-Paying Cities for HVAC Technicians in Texas
Recent data from Indeed shows variation across Texas metros:
| City / Metro Area | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $27.16 | ~$56,4921 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $25.95 | ~$53,9762 |
| Houston | $25.10 | ~$52,2083 |
| San Antonio | $24.80 | ~$51,5844 |
| El Paso | $22.90 | ~$47,6325 |
Annual salaries are based on 40 hours/week x 52 weeks.
Apprentice HVAC Technician Pay in Texas
HVAC apprentices in Texas earn entry-level pay with performance-based raises.
| Program / Source | Starting Pay | Top Apprentice Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Technical College | $18.25/hr | $24.00/hr |
| ABC Central Texas Training | $18.50/hr | $25.00/hr |
| Indeed Listings (statewide avg) | $19.00/hr | $24.50/hr |
Sources: TSTC, ABC Central TX, Indeed
Most programs include:
- On-the-job training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Certification prep and tools
What Affects HVAC Salary in Texas?
Texas HVAC pay depends on a few major factors:
- Licensing: You must be registered with TDLR. A Class A or Class B license allows higher pay.
- Certifications: EPA Section 608, NATE, and HVAC Excellence can boost your rate.
- Experience: More years means more responsibility and more pay.
- Area: Metro areas like Austin and Dallas generally pay more than rural counties.
Senior Tech & Business Owner Pay
As HVAC professionals gain skills or launch their own companies, pay scales up:
| Position | Estimated Salary |
|---|---|
| BLS 90th Percentile | $72,400 |
| Senior HVAC Technician | $75,000 - $90,000+ |
| HVAC Business Owner w/ Crew | $90,000 - $120,000+ |
Want to verify license status?
Check the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for contractor details.
Texas HVAC Technician Job Growth Outlook
According to the Texas Workforce Commission:
- Job growth: +15.4% projected through 2030
- Factors: Construction booms, tech sector expansion, aging infrastructure, and intense summer demand
With Texas’ explosive population growth, HVAC will remain a top-tier skilled trade.
TL;DR: HVAC technician pay in Texas
- Average salary: $52,180/year
- Top earners: $72,400+/year (BLS top 10%) and higher in some senior or owner roles
- Apprentice pay examples: $18-$25/hour
- Higher-paying areas listed: Austin, DFW, Houston
- Your income grows with: licenses, certs, city, and business ownership
Citations
Related Resources
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |