Running a HVAC business in Washington, DC
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area has about 8,730 HVAC technicians. The median wage is $34.58 an hour, so half earn more and half earn less. That's 15% below the District of Columbia median of $40.57. Nationally, the median is $29.33, so Washington pays 18% more.
Market snapshot
- HVAC technicians employed in the metro area
- 8,730
- Median hourly wage
- $34.58
- Middle 50% earn
- $27.72 to $42.90 an hour
- Median annual wage
- $71,920
- District of Columbia median hourly wage
- $40.57
- U.S. median hourly wage
- $29.33
- Job concentration
- 1.06× the national share
- Plumbing, heating and AC contractors in the metro area
- 1,639
- Washington population
- 681,294
- Median year homes were built in Washington
- 1958
Job concentration compares the share of local jobs held by HVAC technicians with the share nationwide. Above 1 means the trade is more concentrated here than average.
HVAC in nearby cities
| City | Workers in the metro | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 3,960 | $30.38 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 350 | $29.73 |
| Hagerstown, MD | 280 | $28.08 |
| Winchester, VA | 200 | $27.04 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 90 | $29.10 |
| York, PA | 560 | $29.79 |
How Tradesman helps HVAC businesses in Washington
Good, better, best on one estimate
Offer a repair, a standard replacement and a high-efficiency system as options on one estimate. The homeowner picks and approves without calling you back.
Dispatch by who's closest
See every technician on the map and route the next no-cool call to the truck nearest to it.
Know which installs made money
Technicians clock time to each job and log equipment and material expenses with receipts, so you can see the real margin on every changeout.
Questions about HVAC in Washington
How much do HVAC technicians make in Washington?
In May 2025, the median wage for HVAC technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area was $34.58 an hour. The middle half earned between $27.72 and $42.90 an hour.
How many HVAC technicians work in Washington?
About 8,730 HVAC technicians worked in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How many plumbing, heating and AC contractors are in Washington?
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area had 1,639 establishments classified as plumbing, heating and AC contractors in 2023, according to the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns.
Sources
Figures cover the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area unless they name Washington. Wages are for employees, not business owners.
Run your HVAC business in Washington from one place.
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