HVAC Tech vs Carpenter
Side-by-side salary, job growth, and training comparison for 2026
HVAC Tech
$57,300
National Median Salary
Total Jobs422,300
Annual Openings40,100
Training6 mo - 2 yr certificate
Carpenter
$59,310
National Median Salary
Total Jobs959,000
Annual Openings89,000
Training3-4 yr apprenticeship
Metric
HVAC Tech
Carpenter
Median Salary National, BLS 2023 | $57,300 | $59,310* |
Total Jobs Current employment | 422,300 | 959,000* |
Annual Job Openings New + replacement | 40,100 | 89,000* |
Training Time | 6 mo - 2 yr certificate | 3-4 yr apprenticeship |
* indicates higher/better value. Source: BLS OES 2023.
Top States for HVAC Techs
Alaska$84,670
Hawaii$79,320
Washington$76,540
Connecticut$75,890
Massachusetts$74,210
Top States for Carpenters
Illinois$89,560
New York$87,320
Hawaii$85,430
Alaska$82,110
Massachusetts$77,650