What Should I Charge for HVAC? (2026 BLS Data)
HVAC rates by state from BLS data. See what to charge in your market.
The short answer: $74.06–$115.73 per hour nationally. That's based on a BLS median labor cost of $26.45/hr with a 3.5x industry markup covering overhead, insurance, and profit. Your actual rate depends on where you work. California pros charge up to $167.79/hr. Louisiana is closer to $65.91/hr.
National Avg. Customer Rate
$92.58/hr
3.5x markup on labor
Typical Range
$74.06–$115.73
per hour, all states
BLS Base Wage
$26.45/hr
OEWS 2023, code 49-9021
How the rate breaks down
| BLS median hourly wage | $26.45 |
| Industry markup (3.5x) | × 3.5 |
| Customer rate (national avg.) | $92.58/hr |
| Typical range (±20–25%) | $74.06 – $115.73 |
The 3.5x markup covers overhead you won't see on a paycheck: liability insurance, vehicle costs, equipment wear, marketing, and your actual profit margin. HVAC commands the highest markup in home services. A $3,000 furnace install might cost the contractor $1,200 in parts and $400 in labor. Equipment markup is where HVAC margins live.
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HVAC Rates by State
Sorted by customer rate, highest to lowest. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Labor Rate | Customer Rate | Range | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $38.35/hr | $134.23/hr | $107.38–$167.79 | +45% |
| New York | $37.56/hr | $131.46/hr | $105.17–$164.33 | +42% |
| District of Columbia | $37.56/hr | $131.46/hr | $105.17–$164.33 | +42% |
| Alaska | $34.91/hr | $122.18/hr | $97.74–$152.73 | +32% |
| Washington | $34.91/hr | $122.18/hr | $97.74–$152.73 | +32% |
| Massachusetts | $33.86/hr | $118.51/hr | $94.81–$148.14 | +28% |
| Hawaii | $33.86/hr | $118.51/hr | $94.81–$148.14 | +28% |
| New Jersey | $33.86/hr | $118.51/hr | $94.81–$148.14 | +28% |
| Connecticut | $32.80/hr | $114.80/hr | $91.84–$143.50 | +24% |
| Oregon | $31.74/hr | $111.09/hr | $88.87–$138.86 | +20% |
| Colorado | $31.21/hr | $109.24/hr | $87.39–$136.55 | +18% |
| Maryland | $31.21/hr | $109.24/hr | $87.39–$136.55 | +18% |
| Illinois | $30.15/hr | $105.53/hr | $84.42–$131.91 | +14% |
| Delaware | $29.62/hr | $103.67/hr | $82.94–$129.59 | +12% |
| Virginia | $29.62/hr | $103.67/hr | $82.94–$129.59 | +12% |
| Rhode Island | $29.62/hr | $103.67/hr | $82.94–$129.59 | +12% |
| Minnesota | $29.62/hr | $103.67/hr | $82.94–$129.59 | +12% |
| New Hampshire | $29.10/hr | $101.85/hr | $81.48–$127.31 | +10% |
| Vermont | $28.57/hr | $100.00/hr | $80.00–$125.00 | +8% |
| Nevada | $28.30/hr | $99.05/hr | $79.24–$123.81 | +7% |
| Utah | $28.04/hr | $98.14/hr | $78.51–$122.68 | +6% |
| Arizona | $28.04/hr | $98.14/hr | $78.51–$122.68 | +6% |
| Texas | $27.77/hr | $97.20/hr | $77.76–$121.50 | +5% |
| Pennsylvania | $27.77/hr | $97.20/hr | $77.76–$121.50 | +5% |
| Michigan | $27.24/hr | $95.34/hr | $76.27–$119.18 | +3% |
| North Dakota | $26.98/hr | $94.43/hr | $75.54–$118.04 | +2% |
| Georgia | $26.98/hr | $94.43/hr | $75.54–$118.04 | +2% |
| Wisconsin | $26.98/hr | $94.43/hr | $75.54–$118.04 | +2% |
| Wyoming | $26.98/hr | $94.43/hr | $75.54–$118.04 | +2% |
| Maine | $26.45/hr | $92.58/hr | $74.06–$115.73 | avg |
| Florida | $26.45/hr | $92.58/hr | $74.06–$115.73 | avg |
| North Carolina | $26.45/hr | $92.58/hr | $74.06–$115.73 | avg |
| Ohio | $26.19/hr | $91.67/hr | $73.34–$114.59 | -1% |
| Nebraska | $25.92/hr | $90.72/hr | $72.58–$113.40 | -2% |
| Indiana | $25.66/hr | $89.81/hr | $71.85–$112.26 | -3% |
| Missouri | $25.66/hr | $89.81/hr | $71.85–$112.26 | -3% |
| Iowa | $25.66/hr | $89.81/hr | $71.85–$112.26 | -3% |
| Kansas | $25.66/hr | $89.81/hr | $71.85–$112.26 | -3% |
| South Dakota | $25.39/hr | $88.87/hr | $71.10–$111.09 | -4% |
| Idaho | $25.13/hr | $87.96/hr | $70.37–$109.95 | -5% |
| Montana | $24.86/hr | $87.01/hr | $69.61–$108.76 | -6% |
| South Carolina | $24.86/hr | $87.01/hr | $69.61–$108.76 | -6% |
| Tennessee | $24.60/hr | $86.10/hr | $68.88–$107.63 | -7% |
| Oklahoma | $24.07/hr | $84.25/hr | $67.40–$105.31 | -9% |
| New Mexico | $24.07/hr | $84.25/hr | $67.40–$105.31 | -9% |
| Kentucky | $23.81/hr | $83.34/hr | $66.67–$104.18 | -10% |
| Louisiana | $23.54/hr | $82.39/hr | $65.91–$102.99 | -11% |
| Arkansas | $23.28/hr | $81.48/hr | $65.18–$101.85 | -12% |
| West Virginia | $23.01/hr | $80.54/hr | $64.43–$100.68 | -13% |
| Alabama | $23.01/hr | $80.54/hr | $64.43–$100.68 | -13% |
| Mississippi | $22.48/hr | $78.68/hr | $62.94–$98.35 | -15% |
About this data
Labor rates come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, occupation code 49-9021 (Heating, AC, and Refrigeration Mechanics). State-level adjustments use BLS regional wage differentials. The 3.5x markup is the industry standard for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, covering insurance, equipment, overhead, and margin.
These are reference ranges, not quotes. Your rate should also factor in your experience, local competition, job complexity, and whether you're pricing hourly vs. flat-rate. HVAC commands the highest markup in home services. A $3,000 furnace install might cost the contractor $1,200 in parts and $400 in labor. Equipment markup is where HVAC margins live.
Pricing guides for other services
Cleaning
$28–$44/hr
Landscaping
$35–$55/hr
Plumbing
$72–$113/hr
Electrical
$71–$111/hr
Painting
$50–$79/hr
Roofing
$62–$97/hr
Pest Control
$60–$93/hr
Lawn Care
$33–$51/hr
Pressure Washing
$30–$47/hr
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