HVAC Technician vs Sheet Metal Worker
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
Sheet Metal Worker
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$58,967
Salary Range$49,190 – $75,071
5yr Growth+7%
Trade Pay ScoreC (56/100)
Total Employment122,066
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Sheet Metal Worker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $75,071 | +$3,717 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $70,408 | +$7,135 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $74,409 | +$669 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $66,514 | +$1,548 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $59,766 | +$8,099 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $73,244 | -$6,155 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $67,613 | -$646 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $62,763 | +$3,382 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $60,018 | +$5,864 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $58,190 | +$6,995 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $64,172 | -$625 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $55,260 | +$5,008 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $58,156 | +$1,843 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $53,940 | +$5,408 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $53,885 | +$5,450 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $57,501 | +$1,669 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $60,802 | -$1,837 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $50,957 | +$8,005 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $57,049 | +$1,831 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $51,200 | +$6,907 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $55,958 | +$1,466 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $55,229 | +$1,893 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $51,094 | +$5,765 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $59,888 | -$4,306 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $54,389 | +$829 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $52,916 | +$1,488 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $57,429 | -$3,994 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $49,878 | +$1,542 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $52,118 | -$1,082 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $49,190 | +$1,468 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Sheet Metal Workers make more money?
HVAC Technicians earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,278 compared to $58,967 — a difference of $2,311 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Sheet Metal Worker?
HVAC Technician has stronger 5-year wage growth at 15% vs 7%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
HVAC Technician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Sheet Metal Worker requires 4 years.
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