§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
HVAC technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro earned a median of $34.58 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 18% higher than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $27.72 to $42.90. About 8,730 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 44 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, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
25th pct$27.72per hour
Median$34.58per hour
75th pct$42.90per hour
10th pct$22.56
90th pct$50.57
Mean$35.45
Workers8,730
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $69/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 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · mean RSE 2.2%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.