HVAC Technician vs Pipefitter
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
Pipefitter
Plumbing · 5yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$67,249
Salary Range$56,372 – $84,056
5yr Growth+11%
Trade Pay ScoreC (68/100)
Total Employment165,255
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Pipefitter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $84,056 | -$5,268 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $83,369 | -$5,826 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $73,553 | +$1,525 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $77,572 | -$9,510 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $73,953 | -$6,088 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $73,346 | -$6,257 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $80,739 | -$13,772 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $72,416 | -$6,271 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $73,657 | -$7,775 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $65,691 | -$506 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $66,737 | -$3,190 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $62,517 | -$2,249 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $66,974 | -$6,975 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $58,134 | +$1,214 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $60,805 | -$1,470 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $61,950 | -$2,780 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $69,257 | -$10,292 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $61,481 | -$2,519 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $60,909 | -$2,029 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $58,979 | -$872 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $65,530 | -$8,106 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $69,089 | -$11,967 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $59,996 | -$3,137 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $69,493 | -$13,911 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $63,370 | -$8,152 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $60,720 | -$6,316 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $66,082 | -$12,647 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $61,462 | -$10,042 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $56,372 | -$5,336 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $59,255 | -$8,597 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Pipefitters make more money?
Pipefitters earn more on average, with a national median salary of $67,249 compared to $61,278 — a difference of $5,971 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Pipefitter?
HVAC Technician has stronger 5-year wage growth at 15% vs 11%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
HVAC Technician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Pipefitter requires 5 years.
HVAC Technician salary by city →
Pipefitter salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
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