HVAC Technician vs Machinist
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
Machinist
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$52,141
Salary Range$43,717 – $66,698
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreD (51/100)
Total Employment123,979
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Machinist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $66,698 | +$12,090 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $61,662 | +$15,881 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $65,465 | +$9,613 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $65,491 | +$2,571 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $57,619 | +$10,246 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $64,169 | +$2,920 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $59,339 | +$7,628 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $52,117 | +$14,028 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $57,987 | +$7,895 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $51,848 | +$13,337 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $53,304 | +$10,243 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $52,203 | +$8,065 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $47,196 | +$12,803 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $45,510 | +$13,838 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $46,215 | +$13,120 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $49,483 | +$9,687 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $50,078 | +$8,887 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $43,891 | +$15,071 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $50,744 | +$8,136 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $47,774 | +$10,333 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $48,863 | +$8,561 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $53,383 | +$3,739 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $47,887 | +$8,972 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $45,745 | +$9,837 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $47,841 | +$7,377 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $48,371 | +$6,033 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $47,317 | +$6,118 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $44,848 | +$6,572 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $43,717 | +$7,319 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $47,451 | +$3,207 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Machinists make more money?
HVAC Technicians earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,278 compared to $52,141 — a difference of $9,137 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Machinist?
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 Machinist requires 4 years.
HVAC Technician salary by city →
Machinist salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →