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HVAC technicians in Ohio: what they earn
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Ohio earned a median $62,510 a year in May 2025, $30.06 an hour. 14,150 people held the job, 2.5 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 2% above the national figure of $61,010, and Ohio ranks 19 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become an HVAC technician in Ohio — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Ohio Department of Commerce. ↓
The full wage spread in Ohio
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.57 | $38,630 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $23.27 | $48,410 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $30.06 | $62,510 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $37.59 | $78,190 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $47.26 | $98,310 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $31.73 | $66,000 | 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.
Ohio against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Colorado | $65,200 | 8,940 |
| 17 | Maine | $63,170 | 2,250 |
| 18 | Oregon | $62,940 | 3,980 |
| 19 | Ohio | $62,510 | 14,150 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $62,400 | 15,880 |
| 21 | Delaware | $62,320 | 1,730 |
| 22 | Vermont | $62,150 | 970 |
The complete ranking is on the HVAC technicians page.
Against the national figure
| Ohio | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $62,510 | $61,010 |
| Median hourly | $30.06 | $29.33 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $38,630 | $40,050 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $98,310 | $95,210 |
| Employed | 14,150 | 409,670 |
Other trades in Ohio
Electricians ($64,700) · Plumbers and pipefitters ($63,330) · Welders ($50,340) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($59,800)
See all five ranked by pay in Ohio.
How to become an HVAC technician in Ohio
Ohio HVAC technicians need the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants; HVAC contracting requires the state OCILB HVAC contractor license (five years' experience, an exam and $500,000 insurance). The licensing authority is Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Ohio Department of Commerce.
| 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) | — |
| Ohio HVAC Contractor License (OCILB) | At least 18; five years' experience in the trade; pass the OCILB exam (PSI, trade + business and law) after BCI and FBI background checks; carry at least $500,000 liability insurance. | — | OCILB HVAC contractor exam (PSI) | — |
Renewal. Annual.
Licensing sources: EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (retrieved 2026-09-16) · Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), Ohio Department of Commerce 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 Ohio?
Ohio HVAC technicians need the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants; HVAC contracting requires the state OCILB HVAC contractor license (five years' experience, an exam and $500,000 insurance).
What does it cost to get licensed as an HVAC technician in Ohio?
Fees are set by the issuing authority; each tier's fee, where published, is in the table above.
How long does it take to become an HVAC technician in Ohio?
It depends on which credential you need and the training and testing each step takes — the full path is in the table above.
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.