§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Wilmington, NC
HVAC technicians in the Wilmington, NC metro earned a median of $23.97 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 18% lower than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $21.87 to $28.92. About 710 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 293 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, Wilmington, NC
25th pct$21.87per hour
Median$23.97per hour
75th pct$28.92per hour
10th pct$17.83
90th pct$35.23
Mean$25.27
Workers710
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 · Wilmington, NC · mean RSE 2.8%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.