§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
HVAC technicians in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro earned a median of $24.18 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 18% lower than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $21.07 to $28.50. About 300 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 287 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, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
25th pct$21.07per hour
Median$24.18per hour
75th pct$28.50per hour
10th pct$17.73
90th pct$35.21
Mean$25.34
Workers300
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $48/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 · Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · mean RSE 2.7%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.