The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry in Texas continues to thrive, offering excellent career opportunities for technicians, installers, and engineers across the state. With Texas’s rapidly growing population, expanding commercial spaces, and increasing demand for energy-efficient systems, the HVAC job market remains one of the strongest in the country. Professionals in this field can expect competitive salaries, career stability, and opportunities for advancement.
From entry-level positions to senior-level technicians and managers, HVAC roles in Texas provide a wide range of earnings based on location, experience, certifications, and employer size. Whether you’re starting your career or considering a move within the industry, understanding the top-paying HVAC salaries can help you plan your future.
In this article, we explore the top 20 HVAC salaries in Texas for 2025, highlighting details about each position, including job descriptions, average pay, employment outlook, and growth potential. These insights can guide aspiring HVAC professionals and experienced technicians looking to maximize their earning potential.
Top 20 HVAC Salaries in Texas
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the top-paying HVAC positions across Texas, along with essential information about each role.
1. Senior HVAC Project Manager
Average Salary: $95,000 – $110,000 per year
Job Description: Senior HVAC Project Managers oversee large-scale commercial and industrial projects, managing budgets, timelines, and installation crews. They coordinate with engineers, contractors, and clients to ensure successful completion.
Skills Required: Leadership, budgeting, project coordination, technical HVAC knowledge.
Employment Outlook: High demand due to Texas’s booming construction and infrastructure sectors.
Growth Potential: Opportunities exist to move into executive-level management or open an HVAC contracting business.
2. HVAC Controls Engineer
Average Salary: $88,000 – $105,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Controls Engineers design, install, and maintain advanced control systems used to regulate HVAC performance in commercial and industrial buildings.
Skills Required: Expertise in automation, programming, energy efficiency, and system integration.
Employment Outlook: Increasing need as Texas prioritizes energy-efficient building designs.
Growth Potential: High potential for advancement into engineering management and building systems consultancy.
3. HVAC Service Manager
Average Salary: $80,000 – $95,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Service Managers supervise service teams, handle client relations, and ensure maintenance and repair tasks meet quality standards.
Skills Required: Leadership, scheduling, troubleshooting, and customer service.
Employment Outlook: Strong demand due to Texas’s year-round HVAC service requirements.
Growth Potential: Can advance into regional management roles or company ownership.
4. Commercial HVAC Technician
Average Salary: $75,000 – $90,000 per year
Job Description: Commercial HVAC Technicians specialize in installing and repairing large-scale heating and cooling systems for businesses, malls, hospitals, and other commercial facilities.
Skills Required: Advanced troubleshooting, installation, and refrigeration system knowledge.
Employment Outlook: Consistently high demand due to commercial real estate expansion across Texas.
Growth Potential: Can transition into supervisory or senior-level technician roles with further certifications.
5. HVAC Systems Designer
Average Salary: $72,000 – $88,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Systems Designers create blueprints and layouts for new installations, ensuring energy efficiency and compliance with building codes.
Skills Required: CAD proficiency, mechanical engineering knowledge, and HVAC system expertise.
Employment Outlook: Growing steadily as modern buildings prioritize sustainability and energy performance.
Growth Potential: Potential to move into senior engineering roles or consultancy positions.
6. Industrial HVAC Technician
Average Salary: $70,000 – $85,000 per year
Job Description: Industrial HVAC Technicians maintain and repair heavy-duty systems used in manufacturing plants, refineries, and other industrial facilities.
Skills Required: Strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of high-capacity equipment, and safety compliance.
Employment Outlook: Rising demand in Texas’s industrial sectors, especially in oil, gas, and manufacturing.
Growth Potential: Can transition into industrial maintenance management or field engineering roles.
7. HVAC Estimator
Average Salary: $68,000 – $82,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Estimators analyze project specifications, create cost estimates, and assist in bidding processes for installations and retrofits.
Skills Required: Cost analysis, blueprint reading, negotiation, and HVAC technical understanding.
Employment Outlook: Steady demand due to Texas’s rapid construction growth.
Growth Potential: Senior estimators can advance to project management or operations leadership roles.
8. Residential HVAC Lead Installer
Average Salary: $65,000 – $80,000 per year
Job Description: Residential HVAC Lead Installers handle advanced installation tasks for home heating and cooling systems and supervise junior technicians.
Skills Required: Hands-on installation expertise, leadership, and customer communication.
Employment Outlook: Consistently strong demand, particularly in suburban Texas markets.
Growth Potential: Opportunities to become service managers or start independent contracting businesses.
9. Refrigeration Technician (HVAC Specialty)
Average Salary: $63,000 – $78,000 per year
Job Description: Refrigeration Technicians focus on installing and maintaining refrigeration units in restaurants, supermarkets, and food storage facilities.
Skills Required: Refrigeration system expertise, EPA certification, and safety protocols.
Employment Outlook: High demand due to Texas’s large foodservice and cold storage industries.
Growth Potential: Can advance into refrigeration engineering or equipment specialist roles.
10. HVAC Field Supervisor
Average Salary: $62,000 – $76,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Field Supervisors oversee job sites, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, schedules, and quality standards.
Skills Required: Leadership, time management, technical knowledge, and problem-solving.
Employment Outlook: Growing demand as Texas experiences ongoing construction booms.
Growth Potential: Can move into regional operations leadership or general management roles.
11. HVAC Sales Engineer
Average Salary: $60,000 – $74,000 per year (plus commissions)
Job Description: HVAC Sales Engineers combine technical expertise with sales skills, helping clients select systems that meet efficiency and performance goals.
Skills Required: HVAC system knowledge, communication, negotiation, and sales strategy.
Employment Outlook: Excellent demand as businesses upgrade to energy-efficient systems.
Growth Potential: High-income potential with commission-based earnings and opportunities in senior sales management.
12. HVAC Instructor / Trainer
Average Salary: $58,000 – $72,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Instructors teach students and apprentices about heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in technical schools or training programs.
Skills Required: HVAC technical expertise, teaching skills, and certification in instructional methods.
Employment Outlook: Rising demand due to growing HVAC workforce needs in Texas.
Growth Potential: Opportunities to move into program coordination or educational leadership roles.
13. Energy Efficiency Specialist (HVAC Focus)
Average Salary: $56,000 – $70,000 per year
Job Description: Energy Efficiency Specialists evaluate HVAC systems for performance, recommending upgrades and retrofits to reduce energy consumption.
Skills Required: Energy auditing, HVAC optimization, and sustainability practices.
Employment Outlook: Increasing demand due to Texas’s focus on green building initiatives.
Growth Potential: Potential to advance into sustainability consulting or senior engineering roles.
14. HVAC Dispatcher
Average Salary: $55,000 – $68,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Dispatchers coordinate service calls, manage technician schedules, and ensure timely customer support.
Skills Required: Organization, communication, and scheduling software proficiency.
Employment Outlook: Stable demand due to constant service needs across Texas.
Growth Potential: With experience, dispatchers can move into service management or operations roles.
15. HVAC Maintenance Supervisor
Average Salary: $54,000 – $66,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Maintenance Supervisors oversee routine inspections and maintenance schedules for residential, commercial, or industrial systems.
Skills Required: Preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and leadership abilities.
Employment Outlook: Consistent demand due to Texas’s extreme weather patterns.
Growth Potential: Career progression into operations management or facility management positions.
16. Entry-Level HVAC Technician
Average Salary: $50,000 – $62,000 per year
Job Description: Entry-Level HVAC Technicians assist in installations, conduct basic repairs, and learn advanced techniques under senior supervision.
Skills Required: Basic HVAC knowledge, mechanical aptitude, and willingness to learn.
Employment Outlook: High demand for new technicians due to workforce shortages.
Growth Potential: With certifications and experience, technicians can move into specialized roles or management positions.
17. HVAC Design Engineer
Average Salary: $65,000 – $80,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Design Engineers create detailed plans for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in residential, commercial, and industrial projects. They ensure systems meet performance standards, building codes, and energy efficiency goals.
Skills Required: Proficiency in CAD software, mechanical engineering expertise, HVAC load calculations, and system design knowledge.
Employment Outlook: Growing demand across Texas due to ongoing construction and sustainable building practices.
Growth Potential: With experience, design engineers can advance into senior engineering, project management, or consultancy roles.
18. HVAC Facility Manager
Average Salary: $68,000 – $82,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Facility Managers oversee the operation, maintenance, and optimization of HVAC systems within large commercial buildings, hospitals, and corporate complexes.
Skills Required: Facility management, preventive maintenance planning, budgeting, and system optimization.
Employment Outlook: High demand as Texas continues to see growth in commercial real estate and healthcare infrastructure.
Growth Potential: Facility managers can progress into regional facilities director roles or executive operations management positions.
19. HVAC Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) Technician
Average Salary: $60,000 – $75,000 per year
Job Description: TAB Technicians specialize in testing HVAC systems to ensure proper airflow, temperature control, and energy efficiency. They work on fine-tuning performance after installations or retrofits.
Skills Required: Knowledge of HVAC airflow principles, testing instruments, and system calibration techniques.
Employment Outlook: Rising demand in Texas as green building certifications and energy compliance become more common.
Growth Potential: Opportunities exist to move into senior TAB supervision roles or advanced HVAC commissioning positions.
20. HVAC Automation Specialist
Average Salary: $70,000 – $90,000 per year
Job Description: HVAC Automation Specialists manage and program automated HVAC control systems used in large-scale buildings to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Skills Required: Expertise in automation software, building management systems (BMS), and networked HVAC controls.
Employment Outlook: Strong demand as Texas industries move toward smart-building technologies.
Growth Potential: Automation specialists can advance into senior controls engineering or building technology management roles.
Conclusion
The HVAC industry in Texas offers tremendous earning potential, with salaries ranging from entry-level technician positions to six-figure managerial and engineering roles. As the state continues to experience rapid population growth, infrastructure development, and rising demand for energy-efficient systems, the HVAC field remains a reliable and lucrative career path.
Whether you’re just starting out, seeking certification to increase your earnings, or aiming for leadership roles, there’s a wealth of opportunity across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. With specialized training, advanced certifications, and experience, HVAC professionals in Texas can maximize their income and secure long-term career stability.
By understanding the top-paying HVAC roles and the skills required, you can make informed decisions to advance in this dynamic and growing industry.