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HVAC technicians in North Carolina: what they earn
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in North Carolina earned a median $57,260 a year in May 2025, $27.53 an hour. 15,230 people held the job, 3.1 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 6% below the national figure of $61,010, and North Carolina ranks 40 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become an HVAC technician in North Carolina — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. ↓
The full wage spread in North Carolina
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.16 | $37,780 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $22.52 | $46,830 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $27.53 | $57,260 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $30.92 | $64,310 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $37.10 | $77,160 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $27.60 | $57,400 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
North Carolina against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Kentucky | $58,620 | 5,100 |
| 38 | Texas | $57,760 | 34,730 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $57,560 | 5,650 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $57,260 | 15,230 |
| 41 | Florida | $56,670 | 39,160 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $56,610 | 6,920 |
| 43 | Georgia | $56,390 | 12,290 |
The complete ranking is on the HVAC technicians page.
Against the national figure
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $57,260 | $61,010 |
| Median hourly | $27.53 | $29.33 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $37,780 | $40,050 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $77,160 | $95,210 |
| Employed | 15,230 | 409,670 |
Other trades in North Carolina
Electricians ($56,800) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($57,080) · Welders ($50,590) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($51,530)
See all five ranked by pay in North Carolina.
How to become an HVAC technician in North Carolina
North Carolina HVAC technicians need the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants; heating and HVAC contracting is state-licensed by the NC Board through its H-1/H-2/H-3 heating classes. The licensing authority is North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA Section 608 Certification (federal) | Required nationwide to handle refrigerants: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure) or Universal (all). Pass an EPA-approved test; the credential does not expire. | — | EPA-approved Section 608 test (Type I / II / III / Universal) | — |
| NC Heating (HVAC) Contractor, H-1/H-2/H-3 (state) | Two years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience, up to half of which may be academic or technical training; pass the Heating Group No. 1, 2 and/or 3 contractor exam. Non-refundable examination application fee $150. | 4,000 hrs (≈ 2 yrs) | NC Heating Group No. 1/2/3 contractor exam | $150 |
Renewal. Annual (licenses expire December 31; renew in January).
Licensing sources: EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (retrieved 2026-09-16) · NC Board Applicant Information (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as an HVAC technician in North Carolina?
North Carolina HVAC technicians need the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants; heating and HVAC contracting is state-licensed by the NC Board through its H-1/H-2/H-3 heating classes.
What does it cost to get licensed as an HVAC technician in North Carolina?
The main application or license fee is $150; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become an HVAC technician in North Carolina?
You can be licensed as NC Heating after about 2 years of on-the-job training (4,000 hours).
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.