HVAC Technician Salary · Updated May 2026

HVAC Technician salary in Kentucky

The median HVAC technician salary in Kentucky is $58,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 4% below the national median of $61,010. Most HVAC technicians in Kentucky earn between $38,790 and $80,020, and the state ranks #37 of 51 for HVAC technician pay.

Median

$58,620

Entry (10th)

$38,790

Top (90th)

$80,020

State rank

#37/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Kentucky vs. the national average

PercentileKentuckyNational
10th percentile (entry)$38,790$40,050
Median (50th)$58,620$61,010
90th percentile (top)$80,020$95,210

For context, the highest-paying state for HVAC technicians is District of Columbia ($84,390 median) and the lowest is Arkansas ($48,110).

Licensing & taxes for HVAC technicians

Every HVAC technician who handles refrigerant must hold the federal EPA Section 608 certification, regardless of state. On top of that, roughly 36 states require a state HVAC or mechanical contractor license; the rest leave it to local jurisdictions.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the hvac technician salary & licensing guide.

HVAC Technician pay in Kentucky: FAQ

How much does an HVAC technician make in Kentucky?
The median HVAC technician salary in Kentucky is $58,620 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 4% below the national median of $61,010. Most HVAC technicians in the state earn between $38,790 and $80,020.
What is the starting salary for HVAC technicians in Kentucky?
Entry-level HVAC technicians in Kentucky — the bottom 10% — earn around $38,790 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top HVAC technicians earn in Kentucky?
The highest-paid 10% of HVAC technicians in Kentucky make about $80,020 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does Kentucky pay HVAC technicians well?
Kentucky ranks #37 of 51 states and D.C. for HVAC technician pay, making it one of the lower-paying states for the trade. Its median of $58,620 is 4% below the U.S. median of $61,010.

Other trades in Kentucky

Electrician salary in Kentucky $59,720 Plumber salary in Kentucky $64,160 Carpenter salary in Kentucky $52,680 Roofer salary in Kentucky $46,940 Painter salary in Kentucky $48,110

Compare HVAC technicians pay in every state

District of Columbia $84,390 Alaska $77,430 Illinois $77,410 Massachusetts $77,300 Connecticut $76,610 Minnesota $76,350 Washington $75,660 North Dakota $74,490 New Jersey $74,450 New York $74,430 New Hampshire $73,850 California $72,560 Maryland $70,020 Rhode Island $67,370 Hawaii $65,450 Colorado $65,200 Maine $63,170 Oregon $62,940 Ohio $62,510 Pennsylvania $62,400 Delaware $62,320 Vermont $62,150 Wisconsin $61,710 South Dakota $61,390 Michigan $60,850 Montana $60,850 Iowa $60,680 Nevada $60,510 Kansas $60,460 Indiana $60,430 Missouri $59,950 Nebraska $59,850 Virginia $59,730 Arizona $59,400 Utah $58,730 Louisiana $58,650 Texas $57,760 Oklahoma $57,560 North Carolina $57,260 Florida $56,670 South Carolina $56,610 Georgia $56,390 Idaho $56,240 Tennessee $55,490 Wyoming $54,700 New Mexico $50,270 West Virginia $48,850 Mississippi $48,680 Alabama $48,370 Arkansas $48,110

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 49-9021). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all HVAC technicians by state or trade salaries by state.