Commercial HVAC work is one of the most in-demand skilled trades in the country. Whether you're a licensed technician looking for a new opportunity, a journeyman HVAC mechanic targeting a specific region, or an engineer moving into a commercial role, the right job is tied to geography. Labor markets, licensing requirements, prevailing wages, and employer density all vary significantly by state.
This page is your starting point. Select your state below to browse current commercial HVAC openings, filter by city, and compare salaries in your area.
Commercial HVAC is distinct from residential work in scope, equipment, and pay. Commercial roles involve large-scale systems including rooftop units, chiller plants, cooling towers, VAV systems, BAS and BMS integration, and industrial refrigeration. Employers range from mechanical contractors and building services firms to facilities management companies, hospitals, universities, and manufacturing plants.
Most commercial HVAC positions require EPA 608 certification at minimum. Many states require additional state-level licensing at the journeyman or contractor level. Union membership through UA or IBEW locals is common in larger metro markets and can significantly affect pay structure and benefits.
Common job titles on this site include Commercial HVAC Technician, Commercial HVAC Mechanic, HVAC Service Technician, HVAC Controls Technician, Building Automation Technician, Chiller Technician, HVAC Project Manager, Commercial HVAC Estimator, Refrigeration Technician, and HVAC Service Manager.
Wages vary meaningfully by region. These figures reflect typical ranges for journeyman-level commercial HVAC technicians.
West Coast (CA, WA, OR): $32 to $52 per hour. California union markets push toward the high end.
Northeast (NY, MA, CT, NJ): $30 to $50 per hour. New York City union scale ranks among the highest in the country.
Southwest (TX, AZ): $24 to $42 per hour. Texas has a large market with significant variance between Houston, Dallas, and smaller metros.
Midwest (IL, OH, MI, MN): $24 to $44 per hour. Chicago union positions are competitive; rural markets trend lower.
Southeast (FL, GA, NC, TN): $22 to $38 per hour. Florida's commercial market is large and growing, particularly in healthcare and hospitality sectors.
Rates reflect 2025 to 2026 market data. Actual offers vary by employer, certification level, and specific system expertise.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers to grow faster than average through 2032. Commercial work is being driven by aging building infrastructure requiring retrofits, increased regulatory focus on energy efficiency, the expansion of data centers requiring precision cooling, and continued healthcare facility construction.
The skilled trades gap is well documented. Retiring tradespeople are not being replaced at the same rate, which continues to put upward pressure on wages for qualified commercial HVAC technicians across most markets.
Commercial HVAC jobs involve larger, more complex systems than residential work. Equipment includes rooftop units, chillers, cooling towers, VAV systems, and building automation controls. Pay is typically higher, work is often performed on occupied commercial buildings or industrial sites, and employers are generally larger contractors or facilities management companies rather than small residential service firms.
Federal EPA 608 certification is required to purchase and handle refrigerants, and virtually all commercial employers require it. Most states also have their own HVAC licensing requirements that vary by classification. Some states license at the contractor level only; others require technician-level credentials. Check your state's contractor licensing board for specific requirements. The state pages on this site include licensing information for each state.
Beyond EPA 608, certifications that consistently command higher pay include NATE (North American Technician Excellence), manufacturer-specific certifications from Carrier, Trane, Daikin, and Johnson Controls, and building automation credentials from Honeywell, Siemens, or Distech. BAS and controls skills are among the highest-valued specialties in the commercial market right now.
Select your state from the list above. State pages allow you to filter by city and metro area, and new listings are added daily. You can also search by job title or employer type to narrow results to commercial-only positions.
List all certifications including EPA 608 and NATE credentials. Specify the types of commercial systems you have worked on, such as chiller plants, rooftop units, VRF systems, or controls. Include the square footage or scope of facilities you have serviced where possible. Employers in this sector hire based on system-specific experience, so specificity matters more than length.
Many commercial HVAC positions, particularly in larger metros, are covered by union agreements through the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) or, for controls technicians, IBEW. Union positions typically offer higher base wages, defined benefit pensions, and apprenticeship training pathways. Non-union commercial work is prevalent in most markets and often offers competitive total compensation, especially at larger mechanical contractors.