Humid summers and cooler mountain zones with steady winter heating keep cooling systems under steady year-round load across Virginia. Average pay tracks $61,190/year with 14,690 HVAC techs employed across Charlottesville, Richmond, and Virginia Beach.
Salary Distribution
10th Pct
$39,760
entry-level
25th Pct
$47,910
early career
Median
$59,730
typical wage
75th Pct
$73,440
experienced
90th Pct
$83,420
senior tech
Wage data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Metro Markets
Metro-level salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Cities ranked by HVAC employment count.
Licensing
Authority: Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors
License type: HVAC Tradesman (Journeyman/Master) + Contractor Class A/B/C (by project value)
Threshold or scope: None for tradesman; contractor classes by financial limit
Continuing education: 3 hours per 2-year renewal cycle (tradesman)
Key details: Class A: unlimited. Class B: ≤$120k single / $750k yr. Class C: ≤$10k single / $150k yr.
For the most current licensing rules, fees, and reciprocity details, always consult the state authority.
Apprenticeship Programs
4
Verified Programs
Apprenticeship sponsor data verified through union local primary sources, state Building Trades directories, and apprenticeship.gov.
Training
Program details vary by school. Verify cost, duration, and certification requirements directly with each institution.
Industry Density
Contracting Businesses
775
AC & refrigeration · NAICS 238222
HVAC Mechanics Employed
14,690
SOC 49-9021
14.41¢/kWh
Residential Electricity
#23 of 51
State Energy Rank
Establishment data from BLS QCEW NAICS 238222. Employment from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Electricity rates from EIA Electric Power Annual 2024.
Climate Profile
4A
Mixed-Humid
mixed_balanced
Virginia is in a Mixed-Humid zone with meaningful heating and cooling demand. HVAC technicians here work the full system mix — gas furnaces and boilers in winter, AC and heat pumps in summer — making for relatively balanced seasonal volume.
Climate zone classification per IECC 2021 (International Energy Conservation Code).
FAQ
HVAC mechanics and installers in Virginia earn a mean annual wage of $61,190, about 5.5% below the national mean of $64,800 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Entry-level technicians (10th percentile) average $39,760, and experienced techs at the 90th percentile reach $83,420. See our full salary breakdown for percentile data and metro variation.
The three largest HVAC job markets in Virginia are Virginia Beach with about 2,840 HVAC mechanics, Richmond with about 2,700 HVAC mechanics, and Roanoke with about 660 HVAC mechanics. Each city page lists current openings and average pay for that metro.
Three of the most established HVAC programs in Virginia are Virginia Peninsula Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, and Virginia Western Community College. Programs typically run 6–24 months and prepare graduates for EPA Section 608 certification and entry-level positions. See our trade schools directory for full program details.
Have a different question? Reach our team at team@findhvacjobs.com.
