Top Cities for HVAC Technicians & Installers in 2025-2026

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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 2025) 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 9 percent nationwide between 2023 and 2033, which is more than twice the anticipated average growth for all occupations (4 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 2025-2026.

Which States Have the Highest Construction Rates?

According to Research and Markets (April 2024), construction in the U.S. was projected to grow by 1.5 percent, an increase from the 1 percent growth seen in 2023. While newer 2025 figures are yet to be released, the following five states were leading construction activity as of last year. At that time, the leading states for construction activity were California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. While comprehensive 2025 state-level rankings have not yet been released, national forecasts point to a slowdown in overall growth.

  • 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 market, 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 2024) found that the following states currently have the highest number of HVAC and HVAC-R workers employed:

State HVAC Workers Employed
Florida 38,290
California 34,020
Texas 32,070
New York 22,710
Pennsylvania 16,930

According to Projections Central (2025), the following fifteen states are expected to have the highest projected percentage increase in positions for HVAC mechanics and installers between 2022 and 2032:

State Anticipated Percentage Increase in HVAC Positions (2022-32)
Utah 34.3
Idaho 26.9
Wyoming 23.9
Montana 23.2
Mississippi 20.2
Oregon 19.3
Arizona 18.2
Georgia 17.6
Texas 17.4
Florida 16.9
South Dakota 16.2
New Mexico 16.1
Colorado 15.6
Nevada 14.8
Rhode Island 13.6

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 (2022-32)
Florida 6,240 jobs
Texas 5,690 jobs
California 4,300 jobs
Utah 2,420 jobs
Georgia 2,250 jobs
North Carolina 2,010 jobs
Arizona 1,670 jobs
New York 1,490 jobs
Colorado 1,190 jobs
Pennsylvania 1,060 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 2024) 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 21,340
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 9,980
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 9,420
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 9,200
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 8,290
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 7,920
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 7,110
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 7,060
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 7,000
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 6,140

The data shows that the cities with the highest rate of employment are not always in 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 2024) 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 $95,570
Anchorage, AK $86,910
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $84,670
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $84,190
Fairbanks-College, AK $83,610
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $80,590
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $80,540
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $79,240
Springfield, MA $78,130
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $76,930

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:

City Percentage increase
Princeton, TX 30.6
Fulshear, TX 26.9
Leesburg, FL 18.5
Celina, TX 18.2
Anna, TX 14.6
Haines, FL 12.1
Foley, AL 12.0
Fate, TX 11.4
Rosemount, MN 10.6
Garner, NC 10.4

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s May 2025 report, the following were the fastest-growing cities based on their overall population as of 2024:

City 2024 Total Population
New York City, NY 8,478,072
Los Angeles, CA 3,878,704
Chicago, IL 2,721,308
Houston, TX 2,390,125
Phoenix, AZ 1,673,164
Philadelphia, PA 1,573,916
San Antonio, TX 1,526,656
San Diego, CA 1,404,452
Dallas, TX 1,326,087
Jacksonville, FL 1,009,833

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.

According to the 2025 Industrial Construction Report by CommercialEdge (March 2025), industrial development has slowed nationwide, but several metro areas still maintain substantial construction pipelines.

As of January 2025, the top U.S. markets with the largest amount of industrial space under construction are:

City/Metro Area Industrial Space Under Development (million Sq. Ft.)
Savannah, GA 24.7 million sq. ft.
Dallas–Fort Worth, TX 22.6 million sq. ft.
Phoenix, AZ 17.7 million sq. ft.
Houston, TX 13.2 million sq. ft.
Austin, TX 12.9 million sq. ft.
Memphis, TN 11.7 million sq. ft.
Kansas City, MO 11.7 million sq. ft.
Philadelphia, PA 11.2 million sq. ft.
Inland Empire, CA 11.0 million sq. ft.
Atlanta, GA 8.2 million sq. ft.

The large industrial construction pipelines in these cities indicate strong ongoing demand for HVAC systems in warehouses, factories, and logistics centers. Regions like Savannah, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Phoenix not only require new system installations but also ongoing maintenance and upgrades, creating opportunities for HVAC technicians, installers, and mechanical contractors.

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 2025) are:

  • Florida
  • Texas
  • California
  • Utah
  • Georgia

However, the best cities for HVAC professionals are not necessarily limited to those with the highest employment or pay. Considering job opportunities, employment numbers, construction activity, and population growth, the top 10 metropolitan areas for HVAC professionals in 2025 are:

  1. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas – 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. With over 9,900 HVAC workers employed and more than 22 million square feet of industrial construction underway, the Dallas–Fort Worth metro remains a key growth city. Texas is also among the top states for new HVAC job creation through 2032.
  2. Phoenix, Arizona – With over 17 million square feet of industrial space under development, the Phoenix, AZ, metropolitan area is experiencing a construction boom. 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 18.2 percent more HVAC workers between 2022 and 2032.
  3. Houston, Texas – 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. Houston’s combination of population growth, large-scale industrial development (13.2 million sq. ft. under construction), and solid job demand makes it a strong contender for HVAC professionals in both residential and commercial sectors.
  4. Miami–Fort Lauderdale, Florida– The area has a high rate of HVAC and HVAC-R technicians and installers employed, and has a high rate of new construction. With over 9,200 employed HVAC technicians and strong year-over-year population growth in Florida cities like Leesburg and Haines City, South Florida remains a hotspot for HVAC jobs.
  5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area employs over 8,000 HVAC workers and has a healthy construction pipeline of over 11 million square feet, signaling stable job opportunities in both industrial and commercial sectors.
  6. Atlanta, GA – Atlanta has emerged as a vibrant hub for both residential and commercial construction, with a significant uptick in urban redevelopment projects. With 8.2 million sq. ft. of industrial construction, high HVAC employment, and strong growth in both residential and commercial construction, it ranks among the top cities for opportunity.
  7. New York City, New York – With over 21,000 HVAC workers employed (the highest in the country) and consistent infrastructure growth, New York continues to offer significant employment despite its high cost of living.
  8. Los Angeles, California – The city and surrounding areas have a high rate of HVAC and HVAC-R technicians and installers employed, and have 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 Jose and Santa Rosa, have fewer opportunities but higher pay rates.
  9. Savannah, Georgia – Leading the nation in industrial construction with 24.7 million sq. ft. under development, Savannah may not have the highest current HVAC employment, but its booming logistics sector points to rising demand.
  10. Chicago, Illinois – 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. With over 6,000 employed HVAC workers and steady demand in both commercial and residential sectors, Chicago continues to be a reliable metro area for HVAC employment, even as the Midwest faces slower overall growth.

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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