As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a HVAC Maintenance Technician III in the United States is $67,560 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a HVAC Maintenance Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A HVAC Maintenance Technician III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a HVAC Maintenance Technician III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry HVAC Mechanic | 0-1 years | $51,967 |
| HVAC Installation Technician II | 1-3 years | $60,934 |
| HVAC Maintenance Technician III | 3-5 years | $67,559 |
| HVAC Field Supervisor | 5+ years | $79,419 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract HVAC Maintenance Technician IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 12.69% |
| Hydraulics | 2.99% |
| Preventive Maintenance | 1.53% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Material Handling
|
$74,992 |
11%
|
|
Effective Communication
|
$72,289 |
7%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$71,614 |
6%
|
|
Mechanical Aptitude
|
$70,938 |
5%
|
|
Technical Support
|
$70,938 |
5%
|
|
Microsoft Office
|
$70,262 |
4%
|
HVAC Maintenance Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $75,630. While startup companies pay approximate $63,981.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $63,981 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $67,667 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $73,034 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $75,630 |
For HVAC Maintenance Technician III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 39% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Hospitality & Leisure sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, HVAC Maintenance Technician positions in Transportation or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HVAC Maintenance Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $81,072 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Hospitality & Leisure | $77,694 | $37.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $75,667 | $36.0 | 12% |
| Biotechnology | $74,316 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $72,965 | $35.0 | 8% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many HVAC Maintenance Technician IIIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a HVAC Maintenance Technician III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $68,148 and $73,064).
HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.4% |
| High School | 67.7% |
| Associates | 25.8% |
| Bachelors | 3.1% |
| Masters | 1.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.7% |
Understanding how a HVAC Maintenance Technician III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026For a HVAC Maintenance Technician III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the HVAC Field Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $79,500 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for a HVAC Maintenance Technician III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,698 in 2023 to around $55,304 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of HVAC Maintenance Technician III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $55,698 |
| 2024 | $55,895 |
| 2025 | $55,304 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for HVAC Maintenance Technician III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest salary for an HVAC Maintenance Technician is $84,120 annually. This figure represents the upper end of the salary range, with a minimum salary of $66,060 and a mid-range salary of $74,400. Salaries can vary based on location and experience, with some cities offering competitive hourly rates.
Washington is the top state where HVAC technicians earn the most, with salaries ranging from $66,060 to $84,120 per year. The average salary is approximately $74,400. Factors contributing to this high pay include the state's elevated cost of living and a consistent demand for HVAC services due to its diverse climates.
Both HVAC technicians and electricians earn comparable salaries. For HVAC technicians, the salary ranges from a minimum of $66,060 to a maximum of $84,120, with a mid-salary of $74,400. Electricians typically earn around $5,000 more on average, making their compensation slightly higher than that of HVAC techs.
The highest-paying states for HVAC technicians typically offer salaries ranging from $66,060 to $84,120 annually. For instance, Washington leads with an average of $66,577/year, while New York follows closely at $64,310/year. Other states like Alaska and Oregon also provide competitive salaries, reflecting the demand for skilled HVAC professionals.
The top pay for an HVAC Maintenance Technician is approximately $84,120 annually. The average salary is around $74,400, while the minimum salary starts at $66,060. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled technicians in the field.
The HVAC Maintenance Technician position offers a salary range of $66,060 to $84,120, with a mid-salary of $74,400. While other HVAC roles like Thermal Engineer and Project Manager may offer higher salaries, the HVAC Maintenance Technician remains a solid choice for competitive pay within the industry.
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