Quick answer: Hvac technicians in South Carolina typically bill $60–$80 per hour (2025). The median HVAC technician earns $27.22/hr ($56,610/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — an HVAC company charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what HVAC technicians earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how South Carolina compares to other states.
Hvac technician income in South Carolina (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for South Carolina's ~6,920 hvac mechanics, and installers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $18.83 | ~$3,264 | ~$39,166 |
| Median (typical) | $27.22 | ~$4,718 | $56,610 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $36.31 | ~$6,294 | ~$75,525 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a HVAC technician takes home. What a HVAC company bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median HVAC technician wage (earned) | ~$27/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$80/hr |
Where South Carolina ranks
South Carolina pays HVAC technicians 7% below the national median, ranking 42nd of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $40.57 |
| South Carolina (42nd) | $27.22 |
| National median | $29.33 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.13 |
Hvac technician rates by South Carolina metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median HVAC technician wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $28.25/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $28.08/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $28.02/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Spartanburg | $27.79/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Columbia | $27.70/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $26.07/hr | $55–$80/hr |
| Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $24.34/hr | $55–$75/hr |
What common HVAC jobs cost in South Carolina
At South Carolina billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical South Carolina range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $70–$140 |
| AC tune-up / maintenance | $100–$225 |
| Refrigerant recharge | $150–$425 |
| Capacitor / part replacement | $150–$475 |
| Central AC replacement | $3,200–$7,000 installed |
| Furnace replacement | $2,800–$6,000 installed |
| Full system replacement | $4,500–$11,000 installed |
| Ductwork repair | $275–$925 |
| Thermostat installation | $150–$375 |
| Mini-split installation | $1,900–$4,600 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How HVAC technicians compare to other trades in South Carolina
Here's how HVAC technician pay lines up against South Carolina's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $28.24/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| HVAC technician | $27.22/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Plumber | $25.93/hr | $55–$80/hr |
| Carpenter | $24.36/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Roofer | $22.00/hr | $50–$65/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free HVAC technician estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do HVAC technicians need a license in South Carolina?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See South Carolina contractor & trade licensing to check whether HVAC technicians need a state license in South Carolina, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do HVAC technicians charge per hour in South Carolina?
In 2025, most South Carolina HVAC technicians bill $60–$80 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $27/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average HVAC technician salary in South Carolina?
The median HVAC technician in South Carolina earns about $56,610 a year ($27.22/hr). Entry-level HVAC technicians earn around $39,000 and the most experienced earn $76,000 or more.
Do HVAC technicians earn more in South Carolina than nationally?
South Carolina's median HVAC technician wage is about 7% below the national median of $29.33/hr, ranking 42nd of 51 states.
Which South Carolina city pays HVAC technicians the most?
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, at a $28.25/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.