Chicago HVAC Techs Now Earn $72K—But Naperville Tops the Charts at $75K+ in 2025
Average Chicago HVAC salary is $72,000, with senior techs exceeding $115,000. Master DDC or hydronics and lock in premium pay with UA Local 597. Maximize your 2025 earnings.
HVAC technicians in Chicago earned an average of $72,000 in 2025—20% above the national average. But location within the metro matters: Chicago averages $72K, while Naperville is $75K and Schaumburg $70K.
Whether you're considering moving to Chicago for HVAC work or you're already here wondering if you're paid fairly, this guide breaks down exactly what techs earn across the neighborhoods and metro area—and how Chicago's skyscrapers and commercial sectors create premium opportunities.
Quick Answer:
- Average Chicago HVAC tech salary: $72,000/year
- Chicago: $72K | Naperville: $75K | Schaumburg: $70K
- Entry-level: $50K-$60K
- Senior/foreman: $90K-$115K+
- Top certs: EPA 608 (required), NATE (+$7K-$12K), Chicago DOB
- Union: UA Local 597
If you're investigating the HVAC technician salary in Chicago, this 2025 guide lays it bare: core earnings, hourly splits, critical variables, regional disparities, and vetted paths to amplify your income. Suited for rookies scouting apprenticeships or pros targeting supervisory gigs, these figures chart your course to affluence in the Second City.
What Is the Average HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago?
In 2025, the average HVAC technician salary in Chicago registers at about $72,000 annually, or $34.60 per hour for a standard 40-hour week. This uplift addresses the metro's robust living expenses, exceeding the national median by 20%. Beginners secure $50,000-$60,000, whereas credentialed veterans with overtime exceed $100,000.
Overtime is transformative—averaging $6,750 extra yearly from polar vortices and summer spikes. Full packages, encompassing bonuses and benefits, extend $65,000-$105,000, with a median of $78,000. Aggregated from authoritative sources, these metrics illuminate Chicago's finance, logistics, and urban renewal drivers.
Hourly Wage Breakdown for HVAC Technicians
Chicago techs average $32-$37 hourly. Glassdoor logs $37 base, Indeed $31.71, while ZipRecruiter marks $29.11 with OT prospects. Pros in boilers or DDC (direct digital controls) attain $42+. For 2,080 hours/year, that's $66,560-$76,960 base, prior to extras.
Union roles or enterprise agreements commonly include health, pensions, and equipment stipends, elevating worth by 20-35%.
HVAC Technician Salary by City in the Chicago Area
Rates diverge with Loop density against suburban scope, from Magnificent Mile mayhem to collar county calm. Here's a 2025 rundown for Chicago and prominent suburbs:
| City | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $72,000 | $34.60 | Downtown high-rises and airports spur intricate commercial tasks; OT booms in weather extremes. |
| Naperville | $75,500 | $36.30 | Affluent exurbs demand premium residential retrofits; tech corridor premiums for smart controls. |
| Schaumburg | $70,000 | $33.65 | Northwest retail hubs prioritize volume service; balanced logistics with airport adjacency. |
| Evanston | $71,200 | $34.23 | North Shore university precincts favor lab precision; green mandates lift eco-upgrades. |
| Oak Park | $69,800 | $33.56 | Historic enclaves emphasize restoration work; steady residential with urban access. |
Central Chicago maximizes throughput, yet Naperville premiums tech-forward assignments.
Factors Affecting HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago
Pay deviates 20-45% per these dynamics. Principal influencers of the HVAC technician salary in Chicago:
- Experience Level
Entry-Level (0-2 years): $50,000-$60,000/year. Initiate via apprenticeships at City Colleges of Chicago or HVAC Technical Institute.
Mid-Level (3-6 years): $65,000-$85,000. Lead positions in data center builds align here.
Senior (7+ years): $90,000-$115,000+. Foremen average $102,000.
Project 6-11% annual increments for refined competence. - Certifications and Education
EPA 608 is essential; NATE or Illinois Plumbing License append $7,000-$12,000. Community college diplomas from Harold Washington College elevate launches by 18%. - Specialization
Specialize in hydronics, rooftop units, or IAQ (indoor air quality) for 15-25% gains in code-strict Chicago. Commercial surpasses residential for scope. - Location and Demand
Loop adders counter congestion; suburbs streamline ops. Temperate swings—blasts to broils—cement ceaseless demand. - Overtime and Shift Work
Vortex repairs or round-the-clock facility shifts compensate 1.5-2x, thrusting many over $90K.
How Does Chicago Compare to the National Average?
Countrywide, HVAC techs median $59,810 ($28.75/hour). Chicago's 20% premium mitigates expenses, paralleling Denver but lagging Seattle summits—prime for architectural ambition.
Job Outlook for HVAC Technicians in Chicago (2025 and Beyond)
As vibrant as a Millennium Park marquee: National 6% expansion to 2032, Chicago propels to 8-10% through tower transformations, transit upgrades, and sustainability statutes. Project 1,000+ annual slots; expertise deficits will escalate compensation.
For a glimpse of anticipated surge:
Tips to Boost Your HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago
Rise like the Willis Tower:
- Certify Supreme: Claim NATE or EPA Universal for $9K+ leaps.
- Specialize Strategic: Dominate VFDs or low-GWP refrigerants for high-rise premiums.
- Union Bond: UA Local 597 fortifies superior accords.
- Zone Astute: Loop for fervor, Naperville for finesse.
- Advance Assiduously: Gratis ComEd sustainability seminars polish your prowess.
Fuse these, surpass $110K routinely.
Final Thoughts: Is an HVAC Career in Chicago Worth It?
The lakefront lore summons—with potent pay, dynamic drive, and perpetual priorities, HVAC in Chicago is a 2025 colossus. The HVAC technician salary in Chicago integrates fiscal force with civic splendor in a superior sphere. If unraveling vents amid vibrant vitality motivates you, embark eastward.
Motivated? Probe City Colleges or Indeed. Cert endeavor or suburb stride next? Voice below!
This post is informational only. Salaries vary; consult active listings.
Sources
- Glassdoor: HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
- Indeed: HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
- Salary.com: HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
- ZipRecruiter: HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
- ServiceTitan: HVAC Technician Salary Guide for 2025
- BLS: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Projections Central: HVAC Job Growth in Illinois
- PayScale: HVAC Technician Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL
- Talent.com: HVAC Technician Salary in Illinois
- SkillCat: HVAC Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
City-specific data from Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Salary.com for Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston, and Oak Park.
