HVAC Technician Salary · Updated May 2026

HVAC Technician salary in Rhode Island

The median HVAC technician salary in Rhode Island is $67,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 10% above the national median of $61,010. Most HVAC technicians in Rhode Island earn between $38,100 and $104,080, and the state ranks #14 of 51 for HVAC technician pay.

Median

$67,370

Entry (10th)

$38,100

Top (90th)

$104,080

State rank

#14/51

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

Rhode Island vs. the national average

PercentileRhode IslandNational
10th percentile (entry)$38,100$40,050
Median (50th)$67,370$61,010
90th percentile (top)$104,080$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 Rhode Island: FAQ

How much does an HVAC technician make in Rhode Island?
The median HVAC technician salary in Rhode Island is $67,370 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 10% above the national median of $61,010. Most HVAC technicians in the state earn between $38,100 and $104,080.
What is the starting salary for HVAC technicians in Rhode Island?
Entry-level HVAC technicians in Rhode Island — the bottom 10% — earn around $38,100 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top HVAC technicians earn in Rhode Island?
The highest-paid 10% of HVAC technicians in Rhode Island make about $104,080 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does Rhode Island pay HVAC technicians well?
Rhode Island ranks #14 of 51 states and D.C. for HVAC technician pay, making it one of the higher-paying states for the trade. Its median of $67,370 is 10% above the U.S. median of $61,010.

Other trades in Rhode Island

Electrician salary in Rhode Island $74,090 Plumber salary in Rhode Island $76,470 Carpenter salary in Rhode Island $60,840 Roofer salary in Rhode Island $61,630 Painter salary in Rhode Island $41,590

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 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 Kentucky $58,620 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.