§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Salem, OR
HVAC technicians in the Salem, OR metro earned a median of $31.27 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 7% higher than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $27.93 to $37.38. About 350 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 64 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, Salem, OR
25th pct$27.93per hour
Median$31.27per hour
75th pct$37.38per hour
10th pct$22.51
90th pct$43.91
Mean$32.91
Workers350
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $63/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 · Salem, OR · mean RSE 2.3%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.