§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Birmingham, AL
HVAC technicians in the Birmingham, AL metro earned a median of $23.43 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 20% lower than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $20.50 to $29.05. About 2,370 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 316 of 350 metros with a reliable estimate for this trade. These are employee wages, not what a contractor bills you per hour.
BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC 49-9021
HVAC technicians, Birmingham, AL
25th pct$20.50per hour
Median$23.43per hour
75th pct$29.05per hour
10th pct$18.00
90th pct$33.57
Mean$25.31
Workers2,370
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $47/hr
OEWS reports what employers pay these workers per hour. A contractor’s bill also covers the business: insurance, licensing, vehicles, tools, office staff, warranty callbacks, unbilled travel time and profit. The wage is a floor for understanding a quote, never a price. You set the multiplier; we publish no typical markup because we have no citable source for one.What else is in a bill for this trade
- A load calculation and system design before a replacement
- Refrigerant handling (EPA Section 608 certified technicians)
- Permit, start-up and warranty registration
BLS OEWS May 2025 · Birmingham, AL · mean RSE 2%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.