Ohio does not always get mentioned in the same breath as Texas or Florida when people talk about booming trades markets, but it probably should. The state has a strong and steady demand for HVAC technicians, a reasonable cost of living compared to most of the country, and a commercial sector that has been quietly expanding for years. If you are an HVAC tech in Ohio or thinking about getting into the trade, here is what the market looks like right now.
What HVAC Technicians Earn in Ohio
Entry-level HVAC techs in Ohio with a year or two of experience are typically earning between $20 and $28 an hour. It is not a bad starting point, but the real money comes with experience and certifications.
Journeyman-level HVAC technicians across Ohio’s major metros are averaging $28 to $42 an hour. In Columbus and Cleveland, which have the most concentrated commercial and industrial HVAC work in the state, experienced techs regularly clear $55,000 to $75,000 a year. Add overtime during peak seasons and $80,000 is achievable.
Commercial HVAC techs who specialize in chillers, building automation systems, or industrial refrigeration are at the top of the pay scale. Those roles can push to $90,000 or beyond with the right employer and enough years on the job.
Service technicians who go independent or run their own small operation have even more upside, though running a business comes with its own set of challenges.
Where the Work Is in Ohio
Columbus has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest for close to a decade. Data centers, distribution warehouses, healthcare expansion, and a booming multifamily housing market have created consistent HVAC work. Intel’s semiconductor plant in New Albany, which has been under construction, has drawn a wave of related commercial and industrial construction with it.
Cleveland has strong industrial HVAC demand tied to manufacturing and healthcare. The Cleveland Clinic system alone is a massive employer of building trades workers including HVAC. Downtown residential conversion projects have also added residential service work.
Cincinnati is steady. Strong manufacturing base, a lot of older commercial buildings that need system upgrades, and consistent residential demand in the surrounding suburbs.
Dayton and Toledo are smaller markets but have consistent work, particularly for techs willing to do a mix of residential service and light commercial.
Certifications That Matter
Your EPA 608 certification is the baseline. Without it you cannot legally handle refrigerants, which means you cannot really do the job. If you do not have it yet, get it first.
Beyond that, the certifications that move your pay up in Ohio’s market are NATE certification, building automation system training (Trane, Johnson Controls, and Honeywell are the big three in Ohio’s commercial market), and electrical troubleshooting skills. HVAC is increasingly an electrical job. Techs who can read wiring diagrams and diagnose control boards without calling an electrician every time are genuinely more valuable.
Refrigeration certifications open doors to food service and grocery work, which is steady year-round and usually pays well.
Union vs. Non-Union in Ohio
The Sheet Metal Workers International Association represents HVAC and sheet metal workers in Ohio’s major markets. Union membership brings strong wages and benefits, particularly in the commercial sector. Cleveland and Columbus both have active locals.
Non-union shops are plentiful throughout the state, especially on the residential service side. Many techs start in non-union residential, get their experience and certifications, then move into union commercial work where the pay is higher and the benefits are better.
The Honest Reality About Seasonal Work
Ohio winters are real. Heating calls spike in November and do not let up until March. Summers bring air conditioning demand. The in-between shoulder seasons are slower, which is why techs who can do both residential and light commercial work tend to keep their schedules fuller year-round.
If you are newer to the trade, being willing to work residential service during the slower commercial months is a practical way to stay busy and build your diagnostic skills faster than almost anything else will.
Getting Into the Trade
HVAC apprenticeships in Ohio run through both union programs and through community colleges and technical schools. Columbus State, Sinclair, and Cuyahoga Community College all have HVAC programs. Apprenticeship routes through the union typically include better pay during training and a clearer pathway to journeyman status.
If you are an experienced HVAC tech looking to make a move, Ohio’s market rewards people who can document their certifications and make it easy for employers to find them. Create a free profile on FindLaborJobs.com, list your certifications and trade clearly, and let the Ohio contractors and service companies who are actually hiring come to you. That is a better use of your time than scrolling through job boards full of listings that have nothing to do with your trade.
Browse current HVAC jobs in Ohio on FindLaborJobs.com and apply in minutes.