Top Cities for HVAC Installers in 2024-2025

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Heating, venting, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC and HVAC/R) technicians and installers are in high demand. Climate control is requisite for businesses, industries, institutions, and homeowners. It’s needed for comfort, preservation of food, and medical and research facilities.

Like other industries, the HVAC industry experienced some shortages and delays due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. However, it was extremely clear that HVAC/R technicians were still required and perhaps in higher demand in places such as Las Vegas, where temperatures reach well over 100. Trained HVAC technicians are required in places like these to meet the growing demand for HVAC services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) confirms the continued increase in the need for individuals with installation, maintenance, and repair skills. Their data indicates that openings for HVAC professionals will grow 6 percent nationwide between 2022 and 2032, which is twice the anticipated average growth for all occupations (3 percent).

Air Conditioning Refrigeration News attributed most of the industry’s growth to technology. Many HVAC/R systems have become part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Although the HVAC industry suffered a setback in 2020 due to the pandemic, Air Conditioning Refrigeration News was optimistic about its future. Increased Smart technology integration will allow systems to be more energy-efficient and user-friendly, contributing to the sustainability goals of modern buildings. This trend towards smart HVAC solutions is expected to drive further innovations and growth in the industry.

HVAC and HVAC/R installations require skilled technicians. The equipment has become increasingly sophisticated, and the system is an integral part of the IoT in many structures. While more and more of the components are automated, the installation still requires a skilled professional, and every system is unique.

Using rates of new construction and other factors, this guide explores the top cities for HVAC installers in the U.S. in 2024.

Which States Have the Highest Construction Rates?

According to Research and Markets (April 2024), construction in the US is expected to grow 1.5 percent, which is an increase of the 1 percent growth in 2023. The report notes the following five states have the most construction work:

  • California: Not only has California suffered devastating wildfires, flooding, and mudslides that have made rebuilding a priority, but the state also has many transportation infrastructure projects as well as energy and utility projects.
  • Florida: Florida is another state hard-hit by hurricanes, necessitating extensive rebuilding projects. The state also has mixed-use developments underway, as well as increased funding for education and healthcare facilities.
  • Texas: Texas continues to rebuild from hurricanes. It is also one of the country’s leaders in energy and utility projects as well as development and infrastructure projects.
  • New York: Several major infrastructure projects are underway in New York, along with an anticipated increase in residential projects. “The MTA, the Port Authority, and city government have all increased the funding they’re dedicating to infrastructure projects.” According to the New York Building Congress’ Construction Outlook 2023-2025 report, total construction spending for 2023 would be more than $83 billion.
  • Pennsylvania: One of the major contributors to Pennsylvania’s construction boom is the booming e-commerce marke” which has led to an increase in warehouse and logistics projects. Additionally, there has been a surge in healthcare facility construction and renovations.

The remaining five of the top ten states for construction are Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, and North Carolina.

Which States Employ the Most HVAC Workers?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) found that the following states currently have the highest number of HVAC and HVAC/R workers employed:

State HVAC Workers Employed
Florida 37,370
California 35,630
Texas 31,910
New York 22,700
Pennsylvania 18,980

According to Projections Central (2024), the following fifteen states are expected to have the highest projected percentage increase in positions for HVAC mechanics and installers between 2020 and 2030:

State Anticipated Percentage Increase in HVAC Positions (2020-30)
Utah 46.2
Montana 35
Idaho 30.8
Arizona 30.6
Colorado 30.1
Texas 21.3
Nevada 21.2
Iowa 20.2
New York 19.7
Massacheusetts 18.5
Washington 18.5
North Dakota 17.9
Florida 15.4
Wyoming 15
California 13.8

The ranking slightly differs when projected changes are expressed as the absolute number of jobs added rather than as a percentage. The states with the highest expected number of new openings for HVAC mechanics and installers include:

State New HVAC Positions Anticipated (2020-30)
Texas 6,330 jobs
Florida 5,610 jobs
California 4,800 jobs
New York 3,810 jobs
Arizona 3,200 jobs
Colorado 2,430 jobs
Utah 2,290 jobs
North Carolina 1,970 jobs
Washington 1,590 jobs
Massachusetts 1,430 jobs

The demand for installers varies among states due to their economy, weather, and industrial and business bases. The rate of new construction also affects the demand for installers.

Which Cities Employ the Most HVAC Workers?

The BLS (May 2023) found that the following metropolitan divisions currently employ the highest number of HVAC mechanics and installers:

Metropolitan area Employment
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 22,780
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 10,060
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 9,540
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 9,080
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 8,440
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 8,180
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 7,840
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 7,590
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 7,230
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 6,610

The data shows that the cities with the highest rate of employment are not always in the states of high employment. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area, for example, is first on the list; however, neither New York nor New Jersey overall is the highest-employment state for HVAC, although each ranks higher than some other states.

The BLS (May 2023) found that the following metropolitan divisions have the highest rate of pay for HVAC professionals:

Metropolitan area Average Annual Salary
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $91,500
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA $79,870
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $79,280
Anchorage, AK $78,090
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH $77,130
Urban Honolulu, HI $75,290
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI $75,180
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $73,120
Bellingham, WA $72,800
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $72,220

There is little correlation between employment and pay in these areas. At first glance, there appears to be some correlation in California, as it has three metropolitan divisions ranked as high-paying. Those areas, however, are in the northern part of the state, while the metropolitan area with the highest employment is in the southern part of the state.

The US Census tracks which cities are growing the fastest. Although their data doesn’t specifically address construction activity, growth requires new homes and workplaces, thus adding to the demand for HVAC installers and mechanics. The top ten are:

  1. Georgetown, Texas
  2. Santa Cruz , California
  3. Kyle, Texas
  4. Leander, Texas
  5. Little Elm, Texas
  6. Westfield, Indiana
  7. Queen Creek, Arizona
  8. North Port, Florida
  9. Cape Coral, Florida
  10. Port St. Lucie, Florida

According to Quicken Loans (Jan 2023), the fastest-growing cities based on their overall population and what makes them attractive are as follows:

City Percentage Population Growth in 2018
Ft Meyers/ Cape Coral, FL 6.8 percent
North Point, FL 5.5 percent
Winter Haven, FL 4.2 percent
New Braundels TX 8.3 percent
Port St. Lucie, FL 5.2 percent
Daytona Beach, FL 3.6 percent
Edinburg, TX 2.4 percent
Madera, CA 2.1 percent
Palm Beach, FL 2.3 percent
Roseville, CA 2.3 percent

There is little correlation between the two sets of statistics, as they cover different growth factors. What is worth noting is that the greatest increase in population growth is not in the cities that appear to be experiencing the most economic growth. Population growth and expanding economies both point to the need for HVAC technicians, although the systems they will be installing and servicing may require differing specialties.

Commercial Property Executive (CPE), a commercial real estate resource, compiles statistics from various industry reports. Their latest data (November 2023) shows the following cities as having the highest rates of industrial construction:

  1. Phoenix, AZ
  2. Las Vegas, NV
  3. Denver, CO
  4. Salt Lake City, UT
  5. Reno, NV

Mixed-use buildings lead the way in new construction, followed by structures for residential, educational, commercial, healthcare, and hospitality use. Their criteria for determining the number of new buildings is the number of cranes at work. The data, therefore, only reflects construction in progress.

Additionally, Dodge Data & Analytics (July 2023) quoted that “commercial and multifamily construction has suffered thus far into 2023 as tighter lending standards, higher interest rates, slowing demand and societal changes, such as continued remote work, impact the sector.” However, there were some areas that still had significant growth such as Atlanta, Georgia.

Based on this, Dodge Data & Analytics shows the top ten metro areas for ‘commercial and multifamily construction starts’ during the first half of 2023:

  1. New York City, NY
  2. Dallas, TX
  3. Atlanta, GA
  4. Miami, FL
  5. Houston, TX
  6. Los Angeles, CA
  7. Chicago, IL
  8. Phoenix, AZ
  9. Boston, MA
  10. Washington, D.C.

What Are the Best Cities for HVAC Workers?

So, which cities are the best choice for someone seeking work as an HVAC/R mechanic or installer? The answer depends on whether a worker is looking for the highest pay or the best job opportunity.

As noted above, the states with the highest expected number of new openings for HVAC mechanics and installers (Projections Central 2024) are:

  • Utah
  • Montana
  • Idaho
  • Arizona
  • Colorado

As noted earlier, the best cities for HVAC workers are not necessarily located in the top-employing or top-paying states. Taking the above data and weather patterns into consideration, the top ten metropolitan areas for HVAC professionals in 2024 are:

  1. Dallas–Fort Worth – The two cities and areas around them have a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed and have a high rate of new construction in a fast-growing area. Texas is also a state with a high rate of job opportunities.
  2. Los Angeles – The city and surrounding areas have a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed and had a high rate of new construction, particularly in commercial and retail structures. It is also located in a state that ranks highly for new job opportunities. More northern cities, such as San Rafael, San Jose, and Santa Rosa, have fewer opportunities, but higher pay rates. Those areas (San Jose in particular) are experiencing high growth due to technology.
  3. Chicago – The city and nearby areas have a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed and a high rate of new construction. The remainder of Illinois is low on the list of job opportunities; however, the Springfield and Peoria areas offer a high rate of pay.
  4. Las Vegas, NV– Nevada has a high rate of commercial construction, and Las Vegas is leading the way. HVAC installers in Nevada can work on larer projects with more complex systems, versus states that might have higher residential growth. However, this may require some additional training and expertise.
  5. Washington, D.C. – The area has a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed and has a high rate of new construction.
  6. Miami-Fort Lauderdale Metropolitan Division – The area has a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed and has a high rate of new construction.
  7. Boston Metropolitan Division – The area is growing at a rapid rate with a high rate of construction and has a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed.
  8. Phoenix Metropolitan Division – The area has a high rate of HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers employed and has a high rate of new construction. It is also located in a state that ranks highly for new job opportunities as it will need 21.4 percent more HVAC workers between 2018 and 2028.
  9. Houston – The city has a high growth rate with a corresponding growth in new construction. Texas is also one of the states with the highest expected number of new openings for HVAC mechanics and installers.
  10. Atlanta, GA – Atlanta has emerged as a vibrant hub for both residential and commercial construction, with a significant uptick in urban redevelopment projects. The city’s dynamic growth has spurred demand for HVAC and HVAC/R technicians and installers to support the construction of new buildings and the retrofitting of existing structures.

Sandra Smith

Sandra Smith was introduced to the HVAC industry when she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for a small air-conditioning contractor. She eventually became a CPA and started her own practice specializing in small business taxes and accounting. After retiring from business, she began writing articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. She also authored four books. Sandra makes her home in the mountains with a rescue dog that naps on her lap as she writes.

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