Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Carpenter vs HVAC Technician salary

In United States, a hvac technician earns about 10% more than a carpenter $72,300 vs $65,500 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Skilled Trades
Carpenter
$65,500/yr
Monthly
$5,500
Hourly
$31
Range
$44,900$90,700
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Skilled Trades
HVAC Technician
$72,300/yr
Monthly
$6,000
Hourly
$35
Range
$51,500$97,700
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCarpenterHVAC Technician
Entry (10th)$44,900$51,500
25th$55,200$61,900
Median$65,500$72,300
75th$78,100$85,000
Senior (90th)$90,700$97,700

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a carpenter or hvac technician earn more in United States?
A hvac technician earns more, at about $72,300 per year vs $65,500 for a carpenter — roughly 10% ($6,800) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A carpenter typically earns $44,900–$90,700, while a hvac technician earns $51,500–$97,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a carpenter averages about $5,500 and a hvac technician about $6,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a carpenter earns about $44,900 while a hvac technician earns about $51,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a carpenter earns about $90,700 while a hvac technician earns about $97,700 per year.
Are carpenter and hvac technician similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Skilled Trades category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.