HVAC technicians in Texas enjoy one of the strongest salary environments in the country for the trade. The combination of extreme summer heat, one of the most active new construction markets in the US, and a booming data center market that requires precision cooling infrastructure all drive demand and wages. Texas no state income tax makes HVAC wages here even more competitive in take-home terms.
HVAC Technician Salary in Texas by City
- Houston: Average $22-$38/hr. Industrial and data center HVAC/R at the high end.
- Dallas-Fort Worth: Average $22-$38/hr. Large data center market pushes higher.
- Austin: Average $22-$36/hr. Active residential and commercial construction.
- San Antonio: Average $20-$32/hr.
- Midland-Odessa: Average $22-$34/hr. Industrial refrigeration demand from oilfield.
- El Paso: Average $18-$28/hr.
HVAC Salary in Texas by Experience Level
- Entry-level (0-1 year): $17-$21/hr
- Apprentice/helper (1-3 years): $19-$26/hr
- Service tech (3-5 years): $22-$32/hr
- Senior service tech (5-10 years): $26-$38/hr
- Commercial HVAC specialist: $28-$42/hr
- Data center HVAC/R tech: $28-$44/hr
HVAC Salary in Texas by Type of Work
- Residential new construction installation: $18-$26/hr
- Residential service and repair: $22-$36/hr (summer overtime significant)
- Commercial HVAC service: $26-$40/hr
- Industrial refrigeration: $26-$42/hr
- Data center precision cooling: $28-$44/hr
- HVAC contractor: $75,000-$150,000+/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average HVAC technician salary in Texas?
The average HVAC technician salary in Texas is approximately $22-$32/hr, or $46,000-$67,000/yr for full-time work. Experienced commercial and data center HVAC specialists earn $28-$44/hr. Texas no state income tax adds effective purchasing power on top of these wages.
Is summer overtime significant for Texas HVAC techs?
Yes. Texas summers are brutal, with Dallas and Houston regularly exceeding 100 degrees for extended periods. HVAC service technicians responding to emergency breakdown calls during peak summer heat work significant overtime — often 10-15 hours per week extra from June through September. This can add $10,000-$20,000 to annual income for residential service technicians.
What HVAC license do I need in Texas?
Texas requires HVAC technicians to hold a TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician (ACT) license. To operate your own business and pull permits, you need the TDLR HVAC Contractor (ACR) license. EPA 608 certification is also required federally to handle refrigerants.
What is data center HVAC in Texas?
Data centers require precision cooling to maintain server room temperatures and humidity within tight parameters. Computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units, chiller plants, cooling towers, and advanced economizer systems are all part of data center HVAC infrastructure. Texas has become a top data center state, and HVAC/R technicians who specialize in data center cooling earn $28-$44/hr in the Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio markets.
How can I increase my HVAC salary in Texas?
The fastest ways to increase HVAC salary in Texas are: earning commercial HVAC certifications (NATE), specializing in data center precision cooling or industrial refrigeration, obtaining your TDLR contractor license to start your own business, or pursuing building automation and controls training. The biggest income jumps come from specialization and independent contracting.
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