HVAC Technician salary in Richmond, VA

The median pay for an HVAC technician in Richmond, VA is $28.43 an hour — about $59,130 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Richmond, VA (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.

Most HVAC technicians in Richmond, VA earn between $18.40 an hour and $37.80 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.

Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $18.40 an hour in Richmond, VA. A quarter of HVAC technicians earn below $22.70 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band.

The top 10% of HVAC technicians in Richmond, VA earn about $37.80 an hour or more, roughly 1.3× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — advanced certification, supervisory responsibility, or specialising in higher-paying work.

HVAC technicians install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Work is seasonal in pattern but year-round in volume, and EPA certification is mandatory for refrigerants. Day to day, that means install heating and cooling systems, diagnose and repair faults, carry out preventive maintenance and handle refrigerants safely and legally.

The usual route is: (1) complete a trade programme or start as an apprentice, (2) obtain EPA 608 certification, (3) build experience across residential and commercial systems, (4) add NATE certification and specialise. Employers typically look for EPA Section 608 certification — legally required for refrigerant work, trade school programme or apprenticeship and state licensing in many states.

Yes. Working as an HVAC technician requires formal certification or licensing — specifically EPA Section 608 certification — legally required for refrigerant work and driver's licence for service calls. Requirements are set at state level in most cases, so check your own state's rules before committing to a programme.

Demand rises with extreme weather and equipment replacement cycles. Summer and winter peaks often bring substantial overtime.

EPA Section 608 certification is legally required to handle refrigerants, and it does not expire. Many technicians add NATE certification, which is voluntary but widely recognised and often tied to higher pay. Several states also require a separate contractor or technician licence.