HVAC Technician vs Ironworker
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
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
Higher Pay
Ironworker
Structural · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,718
Salary Range$51,635 – $76,788
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (61/100)
Total Employment146,883
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Ironworker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $76,392 | +$2,396 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $76,788 | +$755 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $73,744 | +$1,334 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $70,882 | -$2,820 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $61,751 | +$6,114 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $73,852 | -$6,763 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $67,403 | -$436 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $66,649 | -$504 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $67,774 | -$1,892 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $60,154 | +$5,031 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $63,096 | +$451 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $64,916 | -$4,648 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $56,542 | +$3,457 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $57,473 | +$1,875 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $52,177 | +$7,158 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $59,362 | -$192 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $66,286 | -$7,321 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $59,476 | -$514 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $57,995 | +$885 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $53,124 | +$4,983 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $61,615 | -$4,191 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $60,368 | -$3,246 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $53,348 | +$3,511 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $60,483 | -$4,901 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $54,389 | +$829 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $51,635 | +$2,769 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $55,496 | -$2,061 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $55,837 | -$4,417 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $53,383 | -$2,347 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $59,148 | -$8,490 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Ironworkers make more money?
Ironworkers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,718 compared to $61,278 — a difference of $440 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Ironworker?
HVAC Technician has stronger 5-year wage growth at 15% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
HVAC Technician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Ironworker requires 4 years.
HVAC Technician salary by city →
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