Where to Start a HVAC Technician Business

Where a solo hvac technician business has the most room Our calculation

Bremerton, WA ranks first. One-person plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses there average $143,333 a year in revenue, with 4.6 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses for every 10,000 residents (typical metro: 7.9). We scored all 385 metros where the Census publishes plumbing & HVAC contracting business counts.

1
BremertonWASHINGTON · WA · $143,333 avg solo revenue · 4.6 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
90
2
OshkoshWISCONSIN · WI · $132,594 avg solo revenue · 5.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
86
3
AppletonWISCONSIN · WI · $129,444 avg solo revenue · 5.9 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
85
4
SheboyganWISCONSIN · WI · $168,909 avg solo revenue · 5.2 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
84
5
Yuba CityCALIFORNIA · CA · $130,403 avg solo revenue · 6.2 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
84
6
KennewickWASHINGTON · WA · $104,520 avg solo revenue · 4.5 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
84
7
BellinghamWASHINGTON · WA · $107,475 avg solo revenue · 4.6 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
83
8
Eau ClaireWISCONSIN · WI · $112,623 avg solo revenue · 6.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
81
9
SalemOREGON · OR · $105,020 avg solo revenue · 5.0 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
10
MercedCALIFORNIA · CA · $99,936 avg solo revenue · 4.9 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
79
11
HinesvilleGEORGIA · GA · $88,444 avg solo revenue · 5.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
78
12
OlympiaWASHINGTON · WA · $102,667 avg solo revenue · 4.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
78
13
Grants PassOREGON · OR · $124,241 avg solo revenue · 6.5 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
78
14
ClarksvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $101,039 avg solo revenue · 8.0 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
77
15
AlbanyOREGON · OR · $99,211 avg solo revenue · 4.9 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
77

Weights: average solo revenue 3, fewer competitors per resident 3, revenue compared with the local employee wage 2, new home permits 1, population growth 1. Each factor is a percentile among these metros.

Top 5 by each factor Government data

Highest solo revenue

Wausau, WI: $169,429
Sheboygan, WI: $168,909
Bremerton, WA: $143,333
Oshkosh, WI: $132,594
Yuba City, CA: $130,403

Least competition

Corvallis, OR: 3.1 per 10k residents
Beckley, WV: 3.6 per 10k residents
Hanford, CA: 3.8 per 10k residents
Wheeling, WV: 3.8 per 10k residents
Olympia, WA: 4.1 per 10k residents

Most new building

Wildwood, FL: 24.5 home permits per 1k
North Port, FL: 19.8 home permits per 1k
Lafayette, IN: 17.9 home permits per 1k
Myrtle Beach, SC: 17.0 home permits per 1k
Wilmington, NC: 16.8 home permits per 1k

Fastest-growing population

Wildwood, FL: +21.1%
Myrtle Beach, SC: +20.9%
Lakeland, FL: +19.8%
St. George, UT: +17.4%
Ocala, FL: +17.3%

Every metro Government data

Click a column to sort. “Rate to match it” is the hourly rate you'd need to bill to replace the local employee median, at our default assumptions (25% for tax and benefits, $30,000 overhead, 1,400 billable hours). Try your own numbers in the rate calculator.

#	Metro	Score	Solo revenue	Businesses / 10k people	Employee median	Rate to match it	Permits / 1k
1	Bremerton, WA	90	$143,333	4.6	$74,650	$88/hr	6.4
2	Oshkosh, WI	86	$132,594	5.1	$60,530	$75/hr	4.0
3	Appleton, WI	85	$129,444	5.9	$61,600	$76/hr	5.1
4	Sheboygan, WI	84	$168,909	5.2	$61,580	$76/hr	3.1
5	Yuba City, CA	84	$130,403	6.2	$62,850	$78/hr	4.5
6	Kennewick, WA	84	$104,520	4.5	$75,660	$89/hr	7.8
7	Bellingham, WA	83	$107,475	4.6	$72,190	$86/hr	5.3
8	Eau Claire, WI	81	$112,623	6.1	$61,280	$76/hr	5.4
9	Salem, OR	80	$105,020	5.0	$65,050	$80/hr	3.2
10	Merced, CA	79	$99,936	4.9	$64,040	$79/hr	2.7
11	Hinesville, GA	78	$88,444	5.1	$59,910	$75/hr	7.3
12	Olympia, WA	78	$102,667	4.1	$76,260	$90/hr	5.6
13	Grants Pass, OR	78	$124,241	6.5	$48,190	$64/hr	3.3
14	Clarksville, TN	77	$101,039	8.0	$50,480	$66/hr	8.7
15	Albany, OR	77	$99,211	4.9	$58,890	$74/hr	1.4
16	Wenatchee, WA	77	$99,556	6.8	$61,630	$76/hr	8.7
17	Homosassa Springs, FL	76	$84,894	6.7	$47,470	$64/hr	12.9
18	Lincoln, NE	76	$98,235	6.7	$59,350	$74/hr	7.0
19	Green Bay, WI	75	$98,906	5.9	$61,340	$76/hr	4.3
20	Dover, DE	75	$92,909	6.5	$59,810	$75/hr	6.7
21	Farmington, NM	75	$102,000	4.7	$52,040	$68/hr	0.7
22	Brunswick, GA	75	$114,787	8.3	$49,920	$66/hr	5.5
23	Terre Haute, IN	75	$115,950	6.3	$54,300	$70/hr	1.7
24	Mount Vernon, WA	74	$105,000	5.1	$77,010	$90/hr	2.8
25	Morgantown, WV	74	$94,970	5.1	$47,970	$64/hr	0.2
26	Beckley, WV	74	$97,200	3.6	$44,600	$61/hr	0.7
27	Visalia, CA	74	$93,772	4.7	$64,990	$79/hr	3.7
28	Duluth, MN	74	$127,253	6.5	$75,710	$89/hr	2.3
29	Lawrence, KS	73	$96,848	5.8	$59,390	$74/hr	3.1
30	Nashville, TN	73	$112,298	9.4	$60,270	$75/hr	9.2
31	Portland, OR	73	$97,340	5.2	$65,260	$80/hr	3.3
32	Bloomington, IL	72	$105,185	5.9	$64,030	$79/hr	1.6
33	Mankato, MN	72	$121,552	6.9	$76,670	$90/hr	3.4
34	Muncie, IN	72	$93,875	5.9	$55,850	$71/hr	2.9
35	Medford, OR	72	$101,360	6.5	$59,750	$75/hr	4.2
36	Madison, WI	72	$85,816	5.4	$63,150	$78/hr	10.0
37	Bend, OR	72	$104,073	9.0	$61,150	$76/hr	12.1
38	Redding, CA	72	$122,436	6.8	$63,020	$78/hr	1.4
39	Fond du Lac, WI	71	$107,714	6.8	$59,510	$75/hr	1.8
40	Boulder, CO	71	$109,844	6.8	$71,080	$85/hr	6.1
41	Odessa, TX	71	$103,713	8.4	$58,580	$74/hr	5.6
42	Lewiston, ID	71	$80,923	4.6	$49,880	$66/hr	4.7
43	Wausau, WI	71	$169,429	7.9	$59,110	$74/hr	2.5
44	Harrisburg, PA	70	$94,611	6.1	$62,570	$77/hr	2.0
45	Bowling Green, KY	70	$100,739	9.3	$55,230	$71/hr	7.9
46	Watertown, NY	70	$115,717	7.0	$62,850	$78/hr	2.5
47	Morristown, TN	70	$116,426	10.0	$48,650	$65/hr	4.8
48	Napa, CA	69	$122,343	6.1	$84,570	$97/hr	2.7
49	Vallejo, CA	69	$99,721	5.5	$67,950	$82/hr	1.9
50	Springfield, OH	69	$115,552	7.5	$62,670	$77/hr	2.9
51	Eugene, OR	69	$87,583	4.6	$60,050	$75/hr	4.0
52	Columbia, MO	69	$92,724	7.0	$58,880	$74/hr	3.8
53	Salisbury, MD	68	$124,127	8.4	$61,220	$76/hr	1.6
54	Chico, CA	68	$98,821	6.8	$62,920	$78/hr	4.8
55	Joplin, MO	68	$97,327	7.9	$55,360	$71/hr	3.0
56	Kalamazoo, MI	68	$90,662	5.0	$61,270	$76/hr	1.9
57	Hilton Head Island, SC	68	$104,199	10.9	$58,280	$73/hr	13.5
58	Amherst Town, MA	68	$120,130	8.3	$73,370	$87/hr	1.8
59	Reading, PA	68	$117,126	8.0	$61,740	$77/hr	1.3
60	Billings, MT	67	$102,382	8.6	$62,240	$77/hr	5.4
61	Stockton, CA	67	$91,953	5.5	$75,710	$89/hr	3.2
62	Grand Island, NE	67	$128,552	9.2	$58,070	$73/hr	3.5
63	Ann Arbor, MI	67	$95,570	4.2	$75,000	$88/hr	2.9
64	Pocatello, ID	67	$89,676	8.3	$50,940	$67/hr	6.6
65	Seattle, WA	66	$88,824	4.4	$80,100	$93/hr	3.9
66	Bismarck, ND	66	$94,158	7.0	$64,770	$79/hr	3.0
67	Norwich, CT	66	$121,500	7.8	$74,990	$88/hr	1.6
68	Auburn, AL	65	$86,053	8.5	$48,170	$64/hr	7.9
69	Warner Robins, GA	65	$79,879	7.3	$48,670	$65/hr	6.8
70	Gettysburg, PA	65	$107,718	10.0	$60,530	$75/hr	4.5
71	South Bend, IN	65	$89,000	5.7	$59,460	$75/hr	2.3
72	Savannah, GA	65	$81,098	7.7	$51,770	$68/hr	12.8
73	Bridgeport, CT	65	$122,636	9.3	$77,490	$91/hr	3.6
74	Johnstown, PA	64	$97,980	6.8	$54,050	$70/hr	0.5
75	Gainesville, GA	64	$104,740	25.2	$53,310	$69/hr	9.4
76	Spokane, WA	64	$81,101	5.3	$62,840	$78/hr	5.3
77	Midland, TX	64	$103,266	11.7	$57,800	$73/hr	7.3
78	Minot, ND	63	$103,826	7.2	$63,950	$79/hr	1.8
79	Williamsport, PA	63	$97,806	6.5	$59,260	$74/hr	0.6
80	Allentown, PA	63	$100,115	8.0	$63,130	$78/hr	2.3
81	Topeka, KS	63	$97,415	7.1	$64,480	$79/hr	2.7
82	Rome, GA	63	$99,630	9.3	$52,040	$68/hr	3.3
83	Helena, MT	63	$121,317	11.1	$62,670	$77/hr	2.3
84	La Crosse, WI	63	$92,720	6.7	$62,400	$77/hr	2.8
85	Goldsboro, NC	63	$82,586	7.9	$51,540	$67/hr	8.0
86	Knoxville, TN	62	$94,391	10.4	$56,780	$72/hr	8.4
87	Janesville, WI	62	$83,844	5.5	$59,770	$75/hr	2.4
88	Athens, GA	62	$82,246	8.2	$48,890	$65/hr	5.8
89	Greenville, SC	62	$94,978	10.5	$58,760	$74/hr	8.6
90	Utica, NY	62	$93,224	5.9	$61,880	$77/hr	1.1
91	St. Cloud, MN	62	$95,500	7.0	$74,420	$88/hr	3.9
92	Crestview, FL	62	$84,216	9.6	$48,810	$65/hr	11.5
93	Sacramento, CA	62	$89,961	7.0	$66,670	$81/hr	4.4
94	Tulsa, OK	61	$97,159	10.0	$58,750	$74/hr	5.0
95	Burlington, VT	61	$114,916	10.3	$68,430	$83/hr	5.5
96	Cape Girardeau, MO	61	$85,707	7.1	$47,150	$64/hr	1.0
97	Glens Falls, NY	61	$102,762	8.3	$60,780	$76/hr	2.6
98	Hartford, CT	61	$106,014	7.6	$76,180	$89/hr	1.3
99	Indianapolis, IN	60	$82,944	7.1	$62,160	$77/hr	5.4
100	Milwaukee, WI	60	$83,683	5.0	$62,930	$78/hr	2.0
101	Portland, ME	60	$111,274	14.7	$64,090	$79/hr	6.2
102	Dothan, AL	60	$85,307	8.6	$46,210	$63/hr	3.9
103	Chattanooga, TN	60	$89,110	10.0	$50,950	$67/hr	5.1
104	Corvallis, OR	60	$74,636	3.1	$63,720	$78/hr	5.0
105	Elizabethtown, KY	60	$83,327	7.2	$55,740	$71/hr	3.9
106	Sherman, TX	60	$94,555	13.4	$56,330	$72/hr	13.1
107	Colorado Springs, CO	60	$87,490	8.1	$61,460	$76/hr	7.6
108	St. George, UT	60	$87,559	12.5	$47,790	$64/hr	14.5
109	Charleston, SC	60	$87,684	9.5	$58,410	$74/hr	8.7
110	Grand Rapids, MI	60	$81,885	6.3	$60,190	$75/hr	3.7
111	Phoenix, AZ	60	$91,035	9.4	$61,170	$76/hr	7.9
112	Anchorage, AK	60	$98,446	5.6	$85,620	$98/hr	0.7
113	Santa Rosa, CA	59	$120,027	9.2	$79,510	$92/hr	3.5
114	Huntsville, AL	59	$77,735	8.3	$49,940	$66/hr	8.7
115	Montgomery, AL	59	$89,777	8.4	$48,680	$65/hr	2.8
116	Kankakee, IL	59	$85,333	5.1	$62,570	$77/hr	1.1
117	Wilmington, NC	58	$83,376	11.3	$49,860	$66/hr	16.8
118	Trenton, NJ	58	$82,129	5.2	$75,240	$89/hr	3.0
119	Boise City, ID	58	$80,900	8.6	$57,270	$73/hr	11.6
120	Cincinnati, OH	58	$85,262	7.2	$62,240	$77/hr	3.2
121	Myrtle Beach, SC	58	$88,715	12.1	$54,230	$70/hr	17.0
122	Idaho Falls, ID	58	$79,647	9.2	$49,190	$65/hr	9.3
123	Reno, NV	58	$73,895	5.3	$61,940	$77/hr	5.2
124	Johnson City, TN	58	$83,456	9.0	$48,010	$64/hr	4.3
125	Waco, TX	57	$92,593	10.4	$55,860	$71/hr	4.8
126	Hattiesburg, MS	57	$92,347	8.8	$46,590	$63/hr	0.8
127	Jonesboro, AR	57	$92,826	13.6	$47,230	$64/hr	7.5
128	College Station, TX	57	$80,188	9.3	$48,530	$65/hr	8.6
129	State College, PA	57	$83,016	6.2	$57,970	$73/hr	2.0
130	Charleston, WV	57	$81,409	5.7	$51,510	$67/hr	0.6
131	Flint, MI	57	$86,885	6.4	$59,870	$75/hr	1.1
132	Rochester, NY	57	$86,099	5.9	$63,570	$78/hr	1.7
133	Santa Maria, CA	57	$105,142	8.0	$78,640	$92/hr	3.1
134	Honolulu, HI	57	$87,694	5.6	$65,450	$80/hr	1.4
135	Albany, NY	57	$86,463	6.6	$66,040	$80/hr	2.3
136	Kingsport, TN	57	$85,048	8.8	$48,950	$65/hr	3.7
137	Mansfield, OH	57	$87,236	6.6	$59,010	$74/hr	0.9
138	Jackson, TN	56	$97,032	10.2	$54,150	$70/hr	2.6
139	York, PA	56	$92,019	9.1	$61,970	$77/hr	3.4
140	Modesto, CA	56	$87,721	7.0	$64,760	$79/hr	2.2
141	Wildwood, FL	56	$57,216	4.5	$51,220	$67/hr	24.5
142	Salt Lake City, UT	56	$81,097	7.5	$60,790	$76/hr	6.0
143	Columbus, OH	56	$75,935	6.3	$64,440	$79/hr	7.2
144	Austin, TX	56	$89,052	11.1	$60,820	$76/hr	11.3
145	Muskegon, MI	56	$77,323	5.9	$56,550	$72/hr	2.6
146	Bangor, ME	56	$102,509	12.0	$61,430	$76/hr	3.1
147	Philadelphia, PA	56	$90,722	7.6	$64,580	$79/hr	2.1
148	Killeen, TX	56	$78,742	8.8	$49,630	$66/hr	6.8
149	Sebring, FL	56	$67,257	7.1	$44,720	$61/hr	7.3
150	Decatur, AL	56	$103,709	11.9	$48,750	$65/hr	2.6
151	Sioux City, IA	56	$85,356	7.7	$59,840	$75/hr	3.9
152	Minneapolis, MN	55	$79,785	5.4	$77,490	$91/hr	3.9
153	San Francisco, CA	55	$92,422	5.7	$78,490	$92/hr	1.7
154	Rochester, MN	55	$81,109	5.3	$77,500	$91/hr	3.2
155	Blacksburg, VA	55	$75,478	6.1	$50,030	$66/hr	2.7
156	Gainesville, FL	55	$68,944	6.3	$55,670	$71/hr	10.5
157	Hagerstown, MD	55	$83,358	9.1	$58,410	$74/hr	5.4
158	San Luis Obispo, CA	54	$105,470	9.0	$75,160	$89/hr	2.4
159	Jackson, MI	54	$85,048	6.8	$61,220	$76/hr	1.9
160	Walla Walla, WA	54	$81,529	6.3	$62,530	$77/hr	2.6
161	Manchester, NH	54	$117,814	11.4	$73,090	$87/hr	1.5
162	San Jose, CA	54	$89,027	5.8	$82,050	$95/hr	2.8
163	Columbia, SC	54	$79,647	8.5	$57,610	$73/hr	7.1
164	Traverse City, MI	53	$91,495	10.4	$60,590	$76/hr	5.2
165	Springfield, MO	53	$84,806	9.5	$56,410	$72/hr	3.6
166	Kahului, HI	53	$98,590	8.5	$74,720	$88/hr	5.5
167	Hot Springs, AR	53	$102,172	13.0	$46,630	$63/hr	3.3
168	Gulfport, MS	53	$79,272	9.7	$48,230	$64/hr	7.9
169	Rapid City, SD	53	$84,061	9.4	$61,430	$76/hr	6.3
170	Lake Havasu City, AZ	53	$81,373	9.6	$56,810	$72/hr	8.2
171	Davenport, IA	52	$79,144	4.8	$65,190	$80/hr	1.6
172	Erie, PA	52	$79,816	5.6	$58,990	$74/hr	0.9
173	Tucson, AZ	52	$79,259	8.1	$56,070	$71/hr	4.4
174	Cheyenne, WY	52	$76,645	7.2	$57,820	$73/hr	5.5
175	Asheville, NC	52	$85,116	10.2	$58,120	$73/hr	7.8
176	Manhattan, KS	52	$69,000	4.3	$58,000	$73/hr	3.7
177	Barnstable Town, MA	52	$115,371	21.2	$73,330	$87/hr	2.7
178	Santa Fe, NM	52	$91,396	11.3	$49,360	$66/hr	3.2
179	Rocky Mount, NC	52	$89,221	10.3	$55,690	$71/hr	3.7
180	Bakersfield, CA	51	$73,879	5.4	$66,400	$81/hr	3.5
181	Winston, NC	51	$77,725	8.9	$55,360	$71/hr	6.8
182	Greeley, CO	51	$85,138	11.5	$62,020	$77/hr	8.5
183	Kiryas Joel, NY	51	$95,209	10.8	$65,530	$80/hr	3.1
184	Lafayette, IN	51	$71,346	6.3	$61,430	$76/hr	17.9
185	Elmira, NY	51	$82,080	6.1	$62,400	$77/hr	1.2
186	Binghamton, NY	51	$77,169	5.1	$62,020	$77/hr	1.9
187	Des Moines, IA	51	$70,228	6.6	$62,640	$77/hr	8.5
188	Worcester, MA	51	$99,720	10.0	$73,800	$87/hr	1.9
189	Atlantic City, NJ	51	$90,324	10.0	$60,640	$76/hr	4.3
190	Fort Smith, AR	51	$86,371	11.3	$48,160	$64/hr	2.9
191	Staunton, VA	50	$75,720	7.4	$62,350	$77/hr	7.8
192	Sebastian, FL	50	$76,305	8.1	$50,470	$66/hr	1.5
193	Provo, UT	50	$69,112	8.5	$48,930	$65/hr	10.2
194	Midland, MI	50	$73,364	5.5	$56,490	$72/hr	1.5
195	Chambersburg, PA	50	$77,216	7.6	$62,090	$77/hr	6.6
196	Tuscaloosa, AL	50	$75,757	7.8	$48,430	$65/hr	2.2
197	Spartanburg, SC	50	$79,639	10.5	$57,790	$73/hr	11.6
198	Pensacola, FL	50	$72,136	7.3	$58,030	$73/hr	6.3
199	Missoula, MT	49	$78,184	8.7	$60,240	$75/hr	7.1
200	Youngstown, OH	49	$80,734	6.1	$61,260	$76/hr	0.7
201	Salinas, CA	49	$80,945	5.5	$72,550	$86/hr	1.8
202	Charlottesville, VA	49	$73,094	7.4	$59,540	$75/hr	9.5
203	Augusta, GA	49	$66,725	7.4	$48,900	$65/hr	6.6
204	Pittsfield, MA	49	$106,988	11.9	$63,900	$78/hr	1.2
205	Paducah, KY	49	$91,212	9.2	$56,610	$72/hr	1.7
206	Jefferson City, MO	49	$91,744	10.1	$58,180	$73/hr	1.4
207	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY	49	$76,403	7.6	$58,930	$74/hr	4.4
208	Ocala, FL	49	$69,145	9.1	$49,020	$65/hr	15.0
209	Dallas, TX	48	$81,603	12.0	$59,560	$75/hr	8.3
210	Denver, CO	48	$88,814	10.1	$71,580	$85/hr	5.3
211	Durham, NC	48	$72,627	8.1	$59,180	$74/hr	10.1
212	Columbus, GA	48	$74,235	7.3	$46,780	$63/hr	1.9
213	St. Louis, MO	48	$77,828	6.4	$63,000	$78/hr	2.2
214	Fort Wayne, IN	47	$73,219	7.0	$60,830	$76/hr	3.6
215	Toledo, OH	47	$77,106	5.6	$62,460	$77/hr	0.8
216	Boston, MA	47	$101,238	10.2	$78,530	$92/hr	2.0
217	Springfield, IL	47	$82,623	6.4	$70,730	$85/hr	1.1
218	Kenosha, WI	47	$69,703	5.7	$61,260	$76/hr	5.3
219	Fairbanks, AK	47	$103,600	7.8	$93,820	$105/hr	0.3
220	Iowa City, IA	47	$63,521	5.5	$64,440	$79/hr	7.1
221	Syracuse, NY	46	$73,514	5.5	$66,600	$81/hr	3.1
222	Waterbury, CT	46	$97,661	10.3	$72,710	$86/hr	1.1
223	Mobile, AL	46	$79,912	9.3	$47,960	$64/hr	2.7
224	Kansas City, MO	46	$75,407	7.5	$62,680	$77/hr	4.5
225	Little Rock, AR	46	$77,814	10.8	$48,000	$64/hr	4.1
226	Florence, SC	46	$77,821	8.2	$58,790	$74/hr	4.5
227	Saginaw, MI	46	$77,466	6.5	$60,060	$75/hr	1.1
228	Scranton, PA	46	$81,536	7.7	$61,750	$77/hr	1.1
229	San Diego, CA	46	$82,078	7.1	$74,880	$88/hr	3.6
230	Altoona, PA	46	$83,760	7.9	$58,550	$74/hr	0.7
231	Carson City, NV	45	$77,240	8.2	$62,400	$77/hr	9.8
232	Sierra Vista, AZ	45	$69,449	7.4	$49,080	$65/hr	3.7
233	Canton, OH	45	$76,557	6.9	$58,910	$74/hr	1.6
234	Riverside, CA	45	$79,613	8.4	$64,300	$79/hr	3.4
235	Lafayette, LA	45	$75,167	9.5	$51,970	$68/hr	5.0
236	Oxnard, CA	45	$89,662	8.3	$69,710	$84/hr	1.9
237	New Haven, CT	45	$90,090	8.5	$76,880	$90/hr	1.8
238	Kingston, NY	44	$91,101	12.1	$61,470	$76/hr	2.4
239	Lubbock, TX	44	$73,870	10.8	$49,850	$66/hr	8.0
240	North Port, FL	44	$75,503	10.7	$59,070	$74/hr	19.8
241	Yakima, WA	44	$65,341	4.4	$65,900	$80/hr	2.8
242	Fayetteville, AR	44	$73,779	11.4	$53,620	$69/hr	15.5
243	Florence, AL	44	$76,679	10.3	$46,560	$63/hr	2.6
244	Charlotte, NC	44	$72,418	9.0	$59,840	$75/hr	8.0
245	Jacksonville, NC	44	$60,383	7.3	$48,570	$65/hr	6.6
246	Slidell, LA	44	$82,512	13.1	$57,320	$73/hr	4.0
247	Bozeman, MT	44	$86,333	14.5	$72,970	$87/hr	12.4
248	Greenville, NC	43	$63,789	7.5	$53,160	$69/hr	7.3
249	Bloomington, IN	43	$56,268	5.2	$60,920	$76/hr	7.8
250	Logan, UT	43	$67,148	8.3	$55,420	$71/hr	7.6
251	Longview, TX	43	$78,727	9.1	$55,050	$71/hr	1.0
252	Richmond, VA	43	$72,533	8.6	$59,130	$74/hr	6.8
253	Pittsburgh, PA	43	$80,602	8.0	$62,140	$77/hr	2.4
254	Valdosta, GA	43	$66,213	8.3	$47,020	$63/hr	6.0
255	Springfield, MA	43	$80,738	6.6	$76,530	$90/hr	0.7
256	Oklahoma City, OK	42	$78,300	11.0	$60,120	$75/hr	5.9
257	Baltimore, MD	42	$78,745	7.9	$63,180	$78/hr	2.0
258	Ithaca, NY	42	$63,038	4.6	$64,690	$79/hr	4.5
259	Champaign, IL	42	$61,326	4.6	$74,880	$88/hr	3.8
260	Lebanon, PA	42	$72,055	7.4	$62,370	$77/hr	3.8
261	Dubuque, IA	42	$77,375	8.1	$61,410	$76/hr	3.4
262	Hanford, CA	42	$58,667	3.8	$62,670	$77/hr	3.3
263	Fayetteville, NC	42	$64,208	6.5	$56,220	$72/hr	5.4
264	Sioux Falls, SD	42	$64,752	7.4	$62,440	$77/hr	7.8
265	Deltona, FL	41	$66,606	9.9	$49,290	$65/hr	7.7
266	Birmingham, AL	41	$77,136	10.6	$48,740	$65/hr	3.6
267	Omaha, NE	41	$63,943	7.0	$62,570	$77/hr	6.5
268	Coeur d'Alene, ID	41	$74,901	11.4	$58,800	$74/hr	9.4
269	Hickory, NC	41	$63,893	8.1	$50,300	$66/hr	8.5
270	Lexington, KY	41	$75,152	9.1	$60,280	$75/hr	4.5
271	Palm Bay, FL	41	$67,144	8.3	$57,240	$73/hr	7.3
272	Racine, WI	41	$71,729	6.9	$61,740	$77/hr	3.4
273	Monroe, MI	41	$69,133	6.0	$59,340	$74/hr	1.2
274	Vineland, NJ	41	$67,744	5.3	$68,250	$82/hr	0.9
275	Atlanta, GA	41	$78,563	11.7	$58,970	$74/hr	5.4
276	Tallahassee, FL	41	$54,879	6.2	$53,690	$69/hr	7.0
277	Wichita, KS	40	$67,427	7.3	$59,520	$75/hr	4.8
278	Harrisonburg, VA	40	$65,793	7.4	$60,210	$75/hr	6.2
279	Fargo, ND	40	$50,340	6.1	$75,920	$89/hr	5.8
280	Buffalo, NY	40	$66,509	5.0	$62,180	$77/hr	1.3
281	Albuquerque, NM	40	$69,653	7.4	$57,110	$72/hr	3.1
282	Abilene, TX	40	$73,664	11.0	$54,330	$70/hr	6.4
283	Dayton, OH	39	$72,133	7.3	$62,500	$77/hr	2.4
284	Lake Charles, LA	39	$69,922	8.0	$47,360	$64/hr	2.2
285	Las Vegas, NV	39	$59,190	7.1	$60,240	$75/hr	6.2
286	Fresno, CA	39	$55,218	5.5	$62,580	$77/hr	3.0
287	Longview, WA	39	$49,750	5.1	$64,400	$79/hr	2.7
288	Virginia Beach, VA	38	$71,896	7.4	$59,470	$75/hr	2.2
289	Alexandria, LA	38	$78,126	10.4	$47,330	$64/hr	1.8
290	Fort Collins, CO	38	$77,340	10.6	$66,290	$81/hr	6.6
291	Hammond, LA	38	$73,598	11.5	$57,140	$72/hr	8.5
292	Houston, TX	38	$74,123	13.3	$58,940	$74/hr	8.7
293	Huntington, WV	38	$64,543	6.4	$48,860	$65/hr	0.8
294	Twin Falls, ID	38	$63,981	9.0	$51,080	$67/hr	5.6
295	Los Angeles, CA	37	$82,841	8.5	$73,830	$87/hr	2.1
296	Roanoke, VA	37	$65,219	7.8	$49,230	$65/hr	2.8
297	Rockford, IL	37	$73,658	6.4	$75,070	$88/hr	1.1
298	Pueblo, CO	37	$75,517	8.3	$59,110	$74/hr	1.3
299	Lewiston, ME	37	$81,534	13.8	$67,180	$81/hr	4.0
300	Akron, OH	37	$66,579	5.7	$61,090	$76/hr	1.1
301	Anniston, AL	36	$69,294	8.4	$47,780	$64/hr	1.2
302	Pinehurst, NC	36	$51,553	8.0	$52,580	$68/hr	10.3
303	Raleigh, NC	36	$63,225	9.1	$58,900	$74/hr	11.8
304	Sumter, SC	36	$67,295	8.3	$49,880	$66/hr	3.4
305	Evansville, IN	36	$49,483	5.5	$59,500	$75/hr	3.0
306	Lansing, MI	36	$62,906	6.1	$60,440	$75/hr	1.8
307	Texarkana, TX	36	$74,029	10.1	$47,760	$64/hr	2.0
308	Jacksonville, FL	36	$52,115	7.6	$58,590	$74/hr	8.0
309	Port St. Lucie, FL	36	$70,357	12.8	$57,210	$73/hr	9.3
310	Winchester, VA	35	$62,863	8.7	$56,250	$72/hr	6.2
311	Daphne, AL	35	$62,570	11.8	$46,870	$63/hr	10.8
312	Ogden, UT	35	$62,067	8.1	$59,150	$74/hr	5.5
313	Waterloo, IA	35	$55,250	5.8	$60,400	$75/hr	3.3
314	Lynchburg, VA	35	$69,000	8.8	$58,500	$74/hr	4.2
315	Tyler, TX	35	$69,883	11.3	$49,300	$65/hr	2.2
316	Houma, LA	35	$77,650	9.8	$58,470	$74/hr	2.9
317	Columbus, IN	35	$59,774	7.1	$54,490	$70/hr	2.2
318	Macon, GA	34	$66,807	9.1	$48,980	$65/hr	2.2
319	Dalton, GA	34	$73,054	9.5	$65,560	$80/hr	3.8
320	Cedar Rapids, IA	34	$49,803	5.9	$60,680	$76/hr	3.6
321	Elkhart, IN	34	$61,258	6.9	$59,590	$75/hr	3.8
322	Kokomo, IN	34	$64,519	6.3	$64,800	$79/hr	1.3
323	Peoria, IL	34	$68,229	5.8	$78,710	$92/hr	0.6
324	Weirton, WV	34	$61,226	5.1	$57,000	$72/hr	0.1
325	San Antonio, TX	33	$72,488	13.2	$58,590	$74/hr	4.0
326	Michigan City, IN	33	$63,368	6.5	$60,810	$76/hr	2.6
327	Owensboro, KY	33	$66,952	7.6	$60,060	$75/hr	2.3
328	Detroit, MI	33	$69,098	7.5	$63,170	$78/hr	2.0
329	Prescott Valley, AZ	32	$69,032	11.4	$58,280	$73/hr	7.0
330	Washington, DC	32	$73,678	9.2	$71,920	$86/hr	2.8
331	Grand Forks, ND	32	$63,100	6.7	$75,470	$89/hr	2.2
332	Lancaster, PA	32	$76,087	10.5	$60,530	$75/hr	2.3
333	Lakeland, FL	32	$53,711	9.1	$56,680	$72/hr	10.4
334	Monroe, LA	32	$75,585	9.7	$57,270	$73/hr	2.4
335	Niles, MI	32	$68,571	7.8	$58,130	$73/hr	2.4
336	Wichita Falls, TX	32	$70,670	9.8	$49,240	$65/hr	1.1
337	Battle Creek, MI	32	$58,854	5.6	$60,100	$75/hr	0.9
338	Yuma, AZ	32	$52,102	8.2	$57,290	$73/hr	5.5
339	Burlington, NC	32	$64,679	13.3	$52,450	$68/hr	11.5
340	Casper, WY	32	$70,000	8.5	$58,150	$73/hr	2.5
341	Grand Junction, CO	32	$72,547	11.6	$60,540	$75/hr	5.1
342	Cape Coral, FL	32	$68,079	20.0	$58,170	$73/hr	16.6
343	Cleveland, OH	32	$69,110	7.5	$62,790	$77/hr	1.9
344	Chicago, IL	32	$78,461	8.5	$77,960	$91/hr	1.7
345	Lima, OH	32	$58,364	5.6	$60,950	$76/hr	1.5
346	Decatur, IL	31	$58,957	4.9	$77,770	$91/hr	0.4
347	Gadsden, AL	31	$76,874	15.7	$49,300	$65/hr	1.2
348	Amarillo, TX	31	$63,640	9.4	$49,840	$66/hr	3.7
349	Flagstaff, AZ	31	$63,724	7.8	$58,360	$74/hr	4.4
350	Baton Rouge, LA	31	$70,744	10.1	$62,940	$78/hr	4.9
351	Bay City, MI	30	$43,966	4.8	$60,170	$75/hr	0.7
352	Wheeling, WV	30	$25,800	3.8	$56,240	$72/hr	0.0
353	St. Joseph, MO	30	$68,562	7.2	$61,910	$77/hr	0.5
354	Punta Gorda, FL	30	$61,790	10.8	$57,090	$72/hr	15.0
355	Tampa, FL	29	$61,783	11.7	$50,540	$67/hr	6.9
356	Parkersburg, WV	29	$46,432	5.8	$45,600	$62/hr	1.1
357	Sandusky, OH	29	$64,362	7.4	$61,040	$76/hr	2.8
358	Panama City, FL	28	$51,229	10.3	$51,600	$68/hr	10.8
359	New Orleans, LA	28	$78,231	10.5	$63,500	$78/hr	1.7
360	Santa Cruz, CA	28	$68,056	7.2	$78,330	$91/hr	1.8
361	Greensboro, NC	28	$62,059	9.5	$58,520	$74/hr	4.9
362	Lawton, OK	27	$49,820	6.7	$72,980	$87/hr	1.6
363	El Centro, CA	26	$49,216	6.8	$75,220	$89/hr	1.3
364	Naples, FL	26	$64,252	13.7	$59,540	$75/hr	6.9
365	Orlando, FL	26	$54,517	11.6	$51,460	$67/hr	10.0
366	Shreveport, LA	26	$71,218	10.0	$58,620	$74/hr	2.7
367	Las Cruces, NM	25	$47,763	8.6	$49,650	$66/hr	3.7
368	Providence, RI	25	$70,381	9.8	$67,380	$82/hr	1.7
369	Jackson, MS	25	$67,367	10.5	$52,060	$68/hr	2.6
370	Memphis, TN	25	$69,526	10.4	$56,780	$72/hr	2.5
371	McAllen, TX	24	$52,782	13.0	$47,170	$64/hr	8.2
372	Ames, IA	23	$51,552	8.4	$60,430	$75/hr	3.1
373	Albany, GA	23	$41,915	6.8	$48,320	$65/hr	1.3
374	Brownsville, TX	23	$55,876	11.7	$47,910	$64/hr	6.3
375	Victoria, TX	22	$62,400	11.3	$48,550	$65/hr	1.9
376	Great Falls, MT	22	$55,241	8.5	$60,670	$76/hr	3.0
377	New York, NY	22	$68,348	9.3	$77,990	$91/hr	2.2
378	Corpus Christi, TX	21	$62,546	13.5	$51,760	$68/hr	4.7
379	Beaumont, TX	17	$56,186	9.7	$56,720	$72/hr	2.4
380	Laredo, TX	17	$47,891	13.9	$48,450	$65/hr	5.0
381	Miami, FL	17	$57,030	21.3	$58,040	$73/hr	3.8
382	El Paso, TX	17	$58,238	13.5	$47,270	$64/hr	2.3
383	Enid, OK	17	$62,161	9.5	$54,290	$70/hr	0.3
384	Lexington Park, MD	16	$64,152	12.7	$61,840	$77/hr	2.1
385	San Angelo, TX	12	$41,688	10.5	$49,330	$65/hr	2.8

How to read this

Revenue is what one-person businesses take in before expenses, not take-home pay. A high figure with lots of competitors per resident usually means a busy but crowded market; a lower figure with few competitors can mean room to grow. Business counts come from the Census Nonemployer Statistics (2024) and County Business Patterns (2023), grouped as “plumbing & HVAC contracting”, so they include some firms outside the trade itself.

For pay as an employee in any of these cities, see the hvac technician salary overview or the best cities for hvac technicians to work.

Census Nonemployer Statistics 2024; County Business Patterns 2023; Census Building Permits 2025; Census population estimates; BLS OEWS May 2025. Our data

Best cities to start a hvac technician business