ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

HVAC Technician Salary
in Madison, WI

Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Median salary in Madison: $60K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$60K
per year
Take-home: $39K

Salary range in Madison

Entry level (25th)$46,000
Median (50th)$60,000
Senior (75th)$77,000
Top earner (90th)$98,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Madison, Wisconsin. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Madison

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

3% discount vs national median

HVAC Technicians in Madison earn approximately 3% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $2,000 discount on annual base salary. Madison's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 102 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Madison's cost-of-living index (102), the median HVAC Technician salary buys the equivalent of $58,824 in a US-average-cost city. That's $3,176 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 46% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Madison ($1,500/mo) consumes approximately 46% of an after-tax median HVAC Technician salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($77K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Madison

Median salary
$60K
annual
Take-home pay
$39K
after fed/state tax
COL index
102
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.3%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,500
per month
YoY growth
+5.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Madison HVAC Technician to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $60K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Madison

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
HVAC Technician salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$50K$55K$59K$64K$68K201920212023202520272029
2026
$61K
projected
2027
$63K
projected
2028
$65K
projected
2029
$66K
projected
2030
$68K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$60,000+$0
2028 projected$60,000+$0
2029 projected$60,000+$0
2030 projected$60,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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HVAC Technician Salary in Madison, Wisconsin: Complete Guide (2026)

The median HVAC Technician salary in Madison, WI is $60,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Madison–WI metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for HVAC Technician in Madison

Entry-level HVAC Technicians in Madison with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $46,000 and $60,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $60,000 to $77,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $77,000 to $98,000 or more.

Cost of living in Madison for HVAC Technicians

Madison has a cost of living index of 102 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Madison are close to the national average. Wisconsin has a 5.3% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for HVAC Technician

Trade school; EPA 608 certification; journeyman license. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

HVAC Technician salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Madison (current)$60K102
Milwaukee$58K90
Green Bay$55K88
Kenosha$56K90