HVAC technician salary in North Dakota: what HVAC technicians earn in 2026
HVAC technicians in North Dakota earn a median of $74,490 a year — $13,480 above the national median. State wage and employment data from the BLS, plus what it means if you're hiring.
By Westie · Chief Culture Officer, HireAligned ·
What does an HVAC technician make in North Dakota?
The median wage for HVAC technicians in North Dakota is $74,490 a year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. That is $13,480 above the national median of $61,010, putting North Dakota 8th of 51 jurisdictions on HVAC technician pay. About 970 HVAC technicians work in the state.
| Measure | North Dakota | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $74,490 | $61,010 |
| HVAC technicians employed | 970 | 409,670 |
| Rank on pay | 8th of 51 | — |
| Rank on workforce size | 47th of 51 | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 49-9021 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers).
What that number means if you're hiring in North Dakota
North Dakota pays HVAC technicians above the national median, which means the wage bar to be competitive here is set higher than the headline national figure suggests. With only 970 HVAC technicians in the state, North Dakota has one of the smallest pools in the country. In a market this thin, a single competitor hiring aggressively moves the whole local rate, and passive candidates matter more than job posts.
Two caveats worth holding onto. The state median is a lagging figure — OEWS data reflects May 2025, and in a market where trades wages have been climbing, a year-old median can already sit under the live rate. And within-state variation between a major metro and a rural county is routinely wider than the gap between two states, so benchmark to the metro you actually hire in and treat $74,490 as your floor.
How North Dakota compares on HVAC technician pay
The states closest to North Dakota on median HVAC technician pay:
- HVAC technician salary in Minnesota — $76,350 (4,200 HVAC technicians)
- HVAC technician salary in Washington — $75,660 (7,370 HVAC technicians)
- HVAC technician salary in New Jersey — $74,450 (10,330 HVAC technicians)
- HVAC technician salary in New York — $74,430 (24,430 HVAC technicians)
For the full ranking of all 51 jurisdictions, see HVAC technician salary by state. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers covers the demand side.
Filling the seat, not just pricing it
Knowing your state's number keeps you from underbidding the market and losing candidates you never heard from. It will not, on its own, fill the truck. The shops that hire fastest in North Dakota are the ones already talking to HVAC technicians before a seat opens, so the job starts with a shortlist instead of a blank post and a six-week wait.
That is the always-on approach we run for plumbing and HVAC businesses. See how done-for-you hiring works, or build the pipeline yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average HVAC technician salary in North Dakota?+
The median wage for HVAC technicians in North Dakota is $74,490 a year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. That is $13,480 above the national median of $61,010. Half of HVAC technicians in North Dakota earn more than that figure and half earn less.
How many HVAC technicians work in North Dakota?+
North Dakota employs about 970 HVAC technicians, out of roughly 409,670 nationally — one of the smallest workforces in the country, ranking 47th of 51 jurisdictions by workforce size. Pool depth matters more than the headline wage when you are deciding how hard a role will be to fill.
Is $74,490 enough to hire an HVAC technician in North Dakota?+
Treat it as a floor rather than a target. The state median is a lagging, statewide figure, and within-state variation between a major metro and a rural county is routinely larger than the gap between two states. Benchmark to the metro you actually hire in, and check your response time before assuming a wage problem — a qualified HVAC technician who waits three days for a callback has usually taken another offer.