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HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salary in the United States

How much does a HVAC Maintenance Technician III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a HVAC Maintenance Technician III in the United States is $67,570 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,434
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,860 to $73,780
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,661
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salaries

A HVAC Maintenance Technician III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:
  • District of Columbia: $74,810.
  • California: $74,530.
  • Massachusetts: $73,540.

Top Paying Cities for HVAC Maintenance Technician IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $85,230
  • San Francisco: $84,290
  • Oakland: $82,520

What Skills Can Increase a HVAC Maintenance Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.69% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 2.99% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Preventive Maintenance (Mentioned in 1.53% Job Postings): Preventive maintenance is the act of performing regularly scheduled maintenance activities to help prevent unexpected failures in the future. Put simply, it's about fixing things before they break.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.69%
Hydraulics 2.99%
Preventive Maintenance 1.53%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a HVAC Maintenance Technician III's salary.

  • Material Handling: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Material Handling $75,003
11%
Effective Communication $72,300
7%
Teamwork $71,624
6%
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HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $75,435. While startup companies pay approximate $63,874.

HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $63,874
Growth Stage 51~500 $67,539
Established 501~5000 $72,838
Enterprise 5000+ $75,435

HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a HVAC Maintenance Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$81,084$39.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$77,706$37.015%
MFG Durable$75,678$36.012%
Biotechnology$74,327$36.010%
Pharmaceuticals$72,976$35.08%

How Education impacts a HVAC Maintenance Technician III's Salary?

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

Typical Education for HVAC Maintenance Technician III
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%
View as Graph

HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 October 01, 2026
$61,860
Average $67,570/year
$73,780
$5,155
Average $5,631/month
$6,148
$1,190
Average $1,299/week
$1,419
$30
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,780 $6,148 $1,419 $35
Average $67,570 $5,631 $1,299 $32
25th Percentile $61,860 $5,155 $1,190 $30

HVAC Maintenance Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

HVAC Maintenance Technician III

Next Role

For 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.

Most common benefits for HVAC Maintenance Technician III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for HVAC Maintenance Technician III

Here are companies hiring for HVAC Maintenance Technician III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about HVAC Maintenance Technician III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for HVAC Maintenance Technician III?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for HVAC Maintenance Technician III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary for a HVAC technician?

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.

3. What state pays HVAC the most?

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.

4. Who makes more, HVAC or electrician?

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.

5. Which states pay the most for HVAC technicians?

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.

6. What is the top pay for a maintenance technician?

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.

7. What HVAC position makes the most money?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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