HVAC Labor Rates: 2026 Hourly Rate and Wage Benchmarks by State

Question 1

What is the average hourly wage for a roofer in the US?

Accepted Answer

The median hourly wage for roofers was $26.65 in May 2025, and the mean was $27.95, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data published in 2026. The mean annual wage was $58,140. Use the median for starting offers, because experienced installers and foremen pull the average up.

Question 2

Which state pays roofers the most?

Accepted Answer

Illinois has the highest median roofer wage at $37.45 an hour, followed by New Jersey at $36.83 and Minnesota at $35.81, based on BLS May 2025 data. Oklahoma has the lowest at $21.00. Union density, living costs and short northern seasons help explain the gap between the top and bottom states.

Question 3

Why is workers' comp so expensive for roofing companies?

Accepted Answer

Falls make roofing one of the riskiest construction trades, so insurers price it high. In Washington the 2026 base rate for roof work is $5.7930 per hour worked, 7.3 times the state's all-class average. Safety programs, fall protection training and a clean claims history all lower your experience modifier over time.

Question 4

How many roofers work in the United States?

Accepted Answer

BLS counted 135,490 roofers on employer payrolls in its May 2025 wage survey. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, which also counts self-employed roofers, put total roofing jobs at 166,900 in 2025. Florida and California employ the most roofers, with about a third of all wage-earning roofers between them.

Question 5

How often is this roofing labor data updated?

Accepted Answer

BLS releases new wage estimates once a year, usually in spring, covering pay as of the previous May. Bella FSM refreshes the tables, chart and loaded-cost math after each release and updates the benefit ratio from the latest quarterly compensation release. The next review is spring 2027, when the May 2026 estimates are published.

Question 6

Do pool routes come with a customer guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Most do. Skimmer's January 2026 buying guide says the typical guarantee runs about three months after closing, during which the seller replaces lost accounts or refunds part of the price. Get the length, qualifying reasons and replacement method in writing. A holdback of 10% to 20% of the price gives that promise teeth.

Question 7

Is buying a pool route better than building one from scratch?

Accepted Answer

Buying is faster and building is cheaper. At PoolDial's 2026 median of $1,387 per account, a 50-pool route costs roughly $70,000 but earns from week one. Building the same book takes months or years. Buying makes sense when the accounts fit your existing days and you can absorb some attrition.

Question 8

Are repairs included when a pool route is valued?

Accepted Answer

No. Skimmer's 2026 buying guide is explicit that the 6x to 12x range applies to monthly service revenue, with repair income excluded. Repairs are irregular and depend on the technician, so a seller who folds them into monthly revenue is inflating the base. Ask for service and repair revenue as separate lines.

Question 9

How is the goodwill from a pool route purchase taxed?

Accepted Answer

Most of a route's price is goodwill: the customer relationships. Skimmer's guide notes that U.S. tax treatment amortizes goodwill over 15 years, matching the 15-year period for intangibles in Section 197 of the Internal Revenue Code. How you split price between goodwill and equipment affects deductions, so settle it with your CPA.

Question 10

What is a fair price per pool account?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 national median is $1,387 per account, according to PoolDial's analysis of 2,893 route sales. State medians range from $1,191 in Nevada to $2,057 in Texas. Compare any asking price with its own state's median, then adjust for density, chemical billing and retention before you make an offer.

Question 11

How long does a chimney liner last?

Accepted Answer

A stainless steel liner lasts 15 to 25 years with annual sweeping and inspection, according to HomeGuide's 2026 cost guide. Clay, ceramic and cast-in-place liners can last up to 50 years. Aluminum lasts 5 to 15 years and suits gas appliances only. Record the install date and product on the customer file.

Question 12

Do you need a permit to install a chimney liner?

Accepted Answer

Many jurisdictions require a permit and final inspection for a new liner, especially with a solid-fuel appliance. HomeGuide estimates permit fees at $100 to $150 or more. Check with the local building department before you quote, and build the fee and extra site visit into the price.

Question 13

Should a small chimney sweep company offer cast-in-place relining?

Accepted Answer

Only with steady demand. Cast-in-place needs specialized equipment and training, and HomeGuide prices the finished job at $2,000 to $7,000. Most small shops start with stainless, which fits the majority of chimneys, and refer cast-in-place work to a partner until volume justifies the investment.

Question 14

What should you do when a homeowner declines a reline?

Accepted Answer

Explain the risk in plain language, then ask the homeowner to sign a written decline on the proposal. Note on the service record whether the appliance is safe to use, and set a reminder before the next heating season. Many declined relines are only delayed.

Question 15

What certification helps when selling chimney liner installations?

Accepted Answer

CSIA certification is the credential most homeowners and insurers recognize, and many liner manufacturers offer installer training tied to their warranty. Stainless liners sold in the United States are typically listed to UL 1777, the chimney liner safety standard. Put both on the proposal.

Question 16

What is the average hourly wage for a landscaper in the US?

Accepted Answer

The median hourly wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers was $18.82 in May 2025, and the mean was $20.33, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data published in 2026. Use the median for starting offers; experienced crew members and year-round commercial jobs pull the mean up.

Question 17

Why do landscaper wages vary so much from state to state?

Accepted Answer

Wages follow local living costs, season length and competition for workers. States with short seasons and high housing costs, such as Massachusetts and Washington, pay the highest medians. Much of the South pays less per hour but offers longer seasons, so annual pay can end up closer than hourly rates suggest.

Question 18

How many landscaping workers are there in the United States?

Accepted Answer

BLS counted 952,640 landscaping and groundskeeping workers in its May 2025 wage survey. The broader grounds maintenance group in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which adds tree trimmers, pesticide applicators and related jobs, totaled about 1.3 million jobs in 2025. California, Florida and Texas employ the most landscaping workers.

Question 19

Is demand for landscaping workers growing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects grounds maintenance employment to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, which BLS rates as faster than average. It expects about 162,500 openings a year, mostly to replace people who leave the field. For owners, that means steady competition for experienced workers every spring.

Question 20

How often is this landscaper wage data updated?

Accepted Answer

BLS publishes new Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates once a year, usually in spring, covering pay as of the previous May. Bella FSM updates the tables, chart and loaded-cost figures after each release. The next review is spring 2027, when the May 2026 estimates come out.

Question 21

How long does an Airbnb turnover clean take?

Accepted Answer

A standard two-bedroom turnover takes about 1.5 to 3 hours, according to HomeGuide's 2026 cost guide. A messy checkout can stretch it to 4 or 5 hours. Studios run shorter, and large homes with hot tubs, bunk rooms or on-site laundry run longer. Time your first few cleans at each property and schedule from those real numbers rather than an average.

Question 22

Should a cleaning company charge a same-day turnover fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A same-day turnover forces you to hold a cleaner for a fixed window and gives you no room to absorb a late checkout. HomeGuide reports that many cleaners add $20 to $50 for tight windows. Put the fee in the agreement up front so the host sees it before the first busy weekend, not on the first invoice.

Question 23

Who supplies the linens for Airbnb turnovers?

Accepted Answer

Either arrangement works, as long as it is in writing. Some hosts own the linens and you launder them on site. Others use an outside linen service that drops off fresh sets, which HomeGuide prices at $30 to $75 per turnover. Agree on who washes, who replaces torn or stained items, and how many spare sets stay at the property.

Question 24

What insurance does a turnover cleaning business need?

Accepted Answer

Most property managers will ask for proof of general liability insurance before you start, and many want your cleaners bonded because they hold lockbox codes to empty homes. Talk with a commercial insurance agent about your exact exposure, including damage claims and employee injury. Keep current certificates on file so you can send them the same day a manager asks.

Question 25

How do cleaning companies find Airbnb clients?

Accepted Answer

Start with local property management companies, since one signed manager can bring ten or more doors. HomeGuide names Turno, Thumbtack and local host Facebook groups as places hosts look for cleaners. Referrals from hosts you already serve tend to convert fastest. Show up with a turnover checklist, sample photos and a clear price sheet.

Question 26

How many construction workers are needed in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the industry must attract about 349,000 net new workers in 2026, down from 439,000 in 2025. ABC projects the figure will rise to 456,000 in 2027 as construction spending growth picks back up. Most of the 2026 need comes from replacing retiring workers rather than from new projects.

Question 27

Why is there a construction labor shortage?

Accepted Answer

Retirements and a skills gap drive most of it, according to ABC and AGC. In the AGC and NCCER 2026 survey, 50% of firms said available candidates lack the needed skills, certificates, or licenses. Data center construction and immigration enforcement add pressure in specific markets, pulling skilled workers away from other projects.

Question 28

Is the construction labor shortage getting better?

Accepted Answer

Only slightly. ABC's 2026 worker gap is the smallest in four years, but 88% of firms with craft openings still say those jobs are as hard or harder to fill than a year ago. BLS data shows construction job openings rising from 266,000 in April 2026 to 326,000 in July 2026.

Question 29

How does immigration enforcement affect construction labor?

Accepted Answer

About 29% of firms in the AGC and NCCER 2026 survey reported at least one direct or indirect impact in the past six months. Sixteen percent said subcontractors lost workers, 12% said their own workers left or failed to appear, and 6% had a site visited by immigration agents. The South reported the highest impact at 42%.

Question 30

How common is early turnover among new construction hires?

Accepted Answer

Very common. Eighty-three percent of firms in the 2026 AGC and NCCER survey reported at least some turnover among new field employees during their first 90 days. Respondents most often blamed a mismatch between expectations and the reality of the job, followed by physical demands and travel or schedule requirements.

Question 31

Is backflow testing required every year?

Accepted Answer

In most jurisdictions, yes. The IAPMO Backflow Prevention Institute notes that all three model plumbing codes and many state regulations require testable assemblies to be tested at installation, after repair or relocation, and at least annually. Fire protection and high-hazard systems often require testing more often than once a year, so confirm the interval with the local water purveyor.

Question 32

Do you need a special license to test backflow preventers?

Accepted Answer

Testing generally requires a tester certification separate from a plumbing license, plus a calibrated test kit. Many water purveyors also require testers to register with them directly before they will accept a filed report. California, for example, requires certification through a state-recognized organization beginning July 1, 2026.

Question 33

How long does a backflow test take?

Accepted Answer

HomeGuide's 2026 cost guide puts a smaller residential test at 20 to 30 minutes. Commercial systems with multiple assemblies take longer, and older devices that need cleaning or a rebuild before they will pass can stretch a visit considerably beyond the scheduled window.

Question 34

What happens if a backflow assembly fails the test?

Accepted Answer

A failed assembly has to be repaired or replaced, then retested and refiled before the property is compliant. HomeGuide puts a replacement assembly at $200 to $1,000 installed in 2026, depending on type and size. Most purveyors allow a short correction window before enforcement begins.

Question 35

Can a plumbing company test the assemblies it installed?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes, provided the tester holds a current certification and the purveyor accepts reports from the installing contractor. A handful of jurisdictions require an independent tester on high-hazard or municipal work, so check local rules before you promise a customer a single-source arrangement.

Question 36

Does OSHA require window cleaners to hold a certification?

Accepted Answer

OSHA does not issue a window cleaner license. It requires training: under 29 CFR 1910.30 every employee using a personal fall protection system or a rope descent system must be trained by a qualified person before exposure to the fall hazard, and retrained when conditions, equipment or performance indicate the training no longer holds. Keep the training record per technician.

Question 37

How high can a rope descent system legally be used?

Accepted Answer

No higher than 300 feet above grade, unless the employer can demonstrate that reaching those heights by any other means is not feasible or would create a greater hazard. Separately, descents greater than 130 feet require stabilization at the work location. Both limits come from 29 CFR 1910.27(b)(2).

Question 38

Do residential window cleaning jobs fall under 1910.27?

Accepted Answer

The rope descent anchorage rules apply where a rope descent system is used, which is uncommon on houses. Residential crews are far more often governed by general fall protection and ladder requirements in Subpart D. If your residential work never suspends a worker from a building anchor, the anchorage certification duty does not attach to it.

Question 39

Can a building owner confirm anchors verbally instead of in writing?

Accepted Answer

No. 1910.27(b)(1)(ii) requires the employer to obtain written information from the building owner before any employee uses an anchorage, and to keep it for the duration of the job. A verbal assurance leaves the contractor exposed to citation, because the enforcement duty sits with the employer whose worker is on the rope.

Question 40

How often do anchorages have to be inspected and certified?

Accepted Answer

The written information from the building owner must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person, with certification of each anchorage at least every ten years. California sets a stricter inspection cadence, requiring window cleaning safety devices and equipment to be inspected at least every 12 months under Title 8 §3282(p)(1)(B).

Question 41

What is the average hourly wage for an HVAC technician?

Accepted Answer

The mean hourly wage for HVAC technicians in the United States is $31.14, and the median is $29.33, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025. Annually that works out to a $64,780 mean and a $61,010 median. Individual pay varies widely with experience, with the 90th percentile earning $45.78 per hour.

Question 42

Which state pays HVAC technicians the most?

Accepted Answer

The District of Columbia tops the May 2025 BLS list at a $40.83 hourly mean wage. Among the states, Alaska leads at $38.53, followed by Washington at $37.91, Massachusetts at $37.38, and New Jersey at $37.30. Cold-climate and high-union-density states dominate the top of the list.

Question 43

How fast is HVAC technician employment growing?

Accepted Answer

BLS projects employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers to grow 11% from 2025 to 2035, adding about 48,200 jobs. That is much faster than the average across all occupations, and it is one reason technician wages keep climbing and experienced installers stay hard to hire.

Question 44

Why do HVAC companies charge more per hour than they pay technicians?

Accepted Answer

Because the wage is only part of the cost of delivering an hour of service. Payroll taxes, insurance, benefits, trucks, fuel, tools, office staff, and software all ride on the billed rate, and a technician paid for a full week typically bills well under 100% of those hours. The billed rate has to carry all of it plus profit.

Question 45

How much extra do emergency HVAC calls cost?

Accepted Answer

HomeGuide's 2026 data puts emergency HVAC rates at $140 to $250 per hour, roughly double or triple standard rates, while some contractors instead add $40 to $80 per hour for after-hours and weekend work. For the company, that premium compensates on-call pay, overtime, and the schedule disruption the emergency causes the next morning.

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