HVAC Technician vs Carpenter
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Higher Pay
HVAC Technician
HVAC · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,278
Salary Range$50,658 – $78,788
5yr Growth+15%
Trade Pay ScoreB (76/100)
Total Employment226,695
Cities Tracked30
Carpenter
Construction · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$60,859
Salary Range$51,034 – $79,122
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreC (56/100)
Total Employment123,581
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Carpenter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $74,865 | +$3,923 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $79,122 | -$1,579 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $64,817 | +$10,261 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $73,183 | -$5,121 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $69,705 | -$1,840 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $66,853 | +$236 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $70,726 | -$3,759 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $63,338 | +$2,807 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $64,657 | +$1,225 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $66,038 | -$853 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $64,905 | -$1,358 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $61,203 | -$935 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $59,807 | +$192 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $55,206 | +$4,142 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $51,034 | +$8,301 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $59,116 | +$54 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $57,833 | +$1,132 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $52,139 | +$6,823 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $61,107 | -$2,227 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $53,612 | +$4,495 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $53,841 | +$3,583 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $61,073 | -$3,951 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $53,910 | +$2,949 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $61,401 | -$5,819 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $54,694 | +$524 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $54,530 | -$126 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $52,391 | +$1,044 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $55,765 | -$4,345 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $52,184 | -$1,148 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $56,728 | -$6,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Carpenters make more money?
HVAC Technicians earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,278 compared to $60,859 — a difference of $419 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Carpenter?
HVAC Technician has stronger 5-year wage growth at 15% vs 6%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
HVAC Technician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Carpenter requires 4 years.
HVAC Technician salary by city →
Carpenter salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
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