§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Columbia, SC
HVAC technicians in the Columbia, SC metro earned a median of $27.70 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 6% lower than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $23.03 to $30.63. About 1,220 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 228 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, Columbia, SC
25th pct$23.03per hour
Median$27.70per hour
75th pct$30.63per hour
10th pct$18.97
90th pct$35.50
Mean$27.12
Workers1,220
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $55/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 · Columbia, SC · mean RSE 2%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.