HVAC Technician vs Power Line Installer
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
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Power Line Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $104,999 | -$26,211 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $112,855 | -$35,312 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $97,004 | -$21,926 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $98,333 | -$30,271 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $94,049 | -$26,184 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $99,425 | -$32,336 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $98,777 | -$31,810 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $88,613 | -$22,468 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $99,431 | -$33,549 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $86,992 | -$21,807 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $88,707 | -$25,160 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $85,790 | -$25,522 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $79,227 | -$19,228 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $84,221 | -$24,873 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $82,108 | -$22,773 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $87,080 | -$27,910 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $86,876 | -$27,911 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $85,011 | -$26,049 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $80,461 | -$21,581 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $84,373 | -$26,266 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $83,941 | -$26,517 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $91,683 | -$34,561 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $75,751 | -$18,892 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $83,676 | -$28,094 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $76,343 | -$21,125 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $82,075 | -$27,671 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $79,542 | -$26,107 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $78,807 | -$27,387 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $81,266 | -$30,230 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $74,545 | -$23,887 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Power Line Installers make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $61,278 — a difference of $26,454 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Power Line Installer?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 15%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
HVAC Technician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Power Line Installer requires 4 years.
HVAC Technician salary by city →
Power Line Installer salary by city →
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