HVAC Technician vs Solar PV Installer
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
Solar PV Installer
Electrical · 2yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,287
Salary Range$43,090 – $66,757
5yr Growth+22%
Trade Pay ScoreB (78/100)
Total Employment244,363
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | HVAC Technician | Solar PV Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $78,788 | $66,757 | +$12,031 |
| New York, NY | $77,543 | $65,753 | +$11,790 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,078 | $59,766 | +$15,312 |
| Boston, MA | $68,062 | $62,081 | +$5,981 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,865 | $51,811 | +$16,054 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,089 | $55,155 | +$11,934 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,967 | $55,717 | +$11,250 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,145 | $53,197 | +$12,948 |
| Portland, OR | $65,882 | $53,227 | +$12,655 |
| Denver, CO | $65,185 | $49,273 | +$15,912 |
| Houston, TX | $63,547 | $47,597 | +$15,950 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,268 | $47,056 | +$13,212 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,999 | $52,197 | +$7,802 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,348 | $47,345 | +$12,003 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,335 | $43,665 | +$15,670 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,170 | $50,876 | +$8,294 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $58,965 | $50,972 | +$7,993 |
| Columbus, OH | $58,962 | $43,179 | +$15,783 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,880 | $48,077 | +$10,803 |
| Miami, FL | $58,107 | $43,090 | +$15,017 |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,424 | $49,002 | +$8,422 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,122 | $46,122 | +$11,000 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,859 | $43,848 | +$13,011 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,582 | $46,431 | +$9,151 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,218 | $47,144 | +$8,074 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,404 | $45,737 | +$8,667 |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,435 | $44,729 | +$8,706 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $51,420 | $43,828 | +$7,592 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,036 | $45,887 | +$5,149 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,658 | $49,101 | +$1,557 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Technicians or Solar PV Installers make more money?
HVAC Technicians earn more on average, with a national median salary of $61,278 compared to $50,287 — a difference of $10,991 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — HVAC Technician or Solar PV Installer?
Solar PV Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 22% vs 15%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
HVAC Technician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Solar PV Installer requires 2 years.
HVAC Technician salary by city →
Solar PV Installer salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →