Prevailing Wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
If you're an HVAC Installer, HVAC Mechanic, or A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician) seeking U.S. visa sponsorship, your offer must clear the DOL prevailing wage floor for this occupation. DOL sets four experience-based levels for HVAC Installer roles, and the floor shifts significantly depending on which city the worksite is located in.
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Level 1 covers entry-level HVAC Installers with limited hands-on experience, typically less than two years in the field. Work is closely supervised, tasks are routine, and the role does not require independent diagnosis or complex system commissioning.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for HVAC Installer positions. It fits technicians with two to four years of field experience who handle standard installations and service calls with moderate supervision but without lead responsibilities.
Level 3 applies to experienced HVAC Mechanics who work independently across a range of system types, troubleshoot complex faults, and may train junior technicians. Employers filing at this level typically require journeyman-equivalent credentials or equivalent field tenure.
Level 4 covers fully competent HVAC Specialists in senior or lead roles, including those who oversee crews, manage large commercial projects, or hold advanced certifications such as master technician credentials. Minimal supervision is expected at this level.
Prevailing Wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for HVAC Installer and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your EPA 608 certification tier affects filing level
Employers often use refrigerant certification tier as a proxy for experience when selecting a DOL wage level. Holding a Universal EPA 608 certification can support a Level 3 or Level 4 filing, while a Type I or II certificate alone typically aligns with Levels 1 or 2.
Watch for title aliasing into lower-wage SOC codes
Some employers post HVAC roles under general maintenance or facilities titles that map to lower-wage SOC codes, bypassing the HVAC Installer prevailing wage floor entirely. Confirm the LCA lists SOC 49-9021 before accepting any sponsored offer.
Account for the Alaska and California wage premium
Top-paying metros for this occupation cluster in Alaska and coastal California, where the prevailing wage can be nearly double the national median. If you're weighing relocation, the worksite city on your LCA determines which regional floor applies, not your home address.
Use Migrate Mate to identify active HVAC sponsors
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored HVAC Installer and HVAC Tech roles, so you can focus applications on companies with a real track record of filing H-1B or green card petitions for this occupation rather than cold-outreach to firms with no sponsorship history.
Jobs for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for HVAC InstallerPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 49-9021.00 alongside Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician) Prevailing Wage
A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician) Prevailing Wage
A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician) positions fall under SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician) positions fall under SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Refrigeration Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Refrigeration Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Refrigeration Mechanic positions fall under SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Refrigeration Operator Prevailing Wage
Refrigeration Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Refrigeration Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech) Prevailing Wage
Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech) Prevailing Wage
Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Service Technician (Service Tech) Prevailing Wage
Service Technician (Service Tech) Prevailing Wage
Service Technician (Service Tech) positions fall under SOC 49-9021.00 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for an HVAC Installer role?
DOL calculates the prevailing wage using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metro areas. For each area, DOL produces four wage levels tied to experience and complexity. Employers file a Labor Condition Application through OFLC certifying they will pay at least the applicable level wage at the specific worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified with moderate autonomy, Level 3 is experienced and largely independent, and Level 4 is fully competent in a senior or lead capacity. Your level should reflect actual job duties and required experience, not just your title. Review the job description against DOL's level definitions and compare it with the LCA your employer files through OFLC.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same HVAC Installer role vary so much by city?
DOL conducts regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys that capture local labor market conditions. An HVAC Tech in San Jose, CA works in a high-cost metro with strong union density and commercial demand, producing a much higher surveyed wage than a comparable role in Puerto Rico. Critically, the worksite address listed on your LCA determines which regional wage floor applies, even if your employer is headquartered elsewhere.
What happens if my job offer is below the DOL prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
For H-1B or PERM-based green card sponsorship, the employer must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage. USCIS reviews LCA compliance during petition adjudication. If the offered salary falls below the certified wage level, the petition can be denied or result in an audit. The employer, not the candidate, bears the legal obligation to pay the prevailing wage.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for an HVAC Installer role in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up the current prevailing wage by SOC code (49-9021), metro area, and wage level. Enter the worksite city, select the HVAC Installer occupation, and review all four levels. Alternatively, Migrate Mate lists HVAC Installer and HVAC Mechanic openings from employers with confirmed sponsorship history, giving you a starting point for comparing offers against the applicable DOL floor for each location.
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