§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
HVAC technicians in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro earned a median of $28.08 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), about the same as the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $22.59 to $31.27. About 1,270 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 213 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, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
25th pct$22.59per hour
Median$28.08per hour
75th pct$31.27per hour
10th pct$19.37
90th pct$37.05
Mean$28.11
Workers1,270
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $56/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 · Charleston-North Charleston, SC · mean RSE 2%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.