According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average (mean) pay is $20.98 per hour (or $43,640 per year). The BLS states that the top 10% make $33.10 per hour (or $68,840 per year). Technicians who obtain their own license and start their own company can make money only limited to their business skills. There are lots of variances in pay for A/C technicians. It depends on many factors, and most of them are based on your knowledge, understanding, and experience. If you are hired on at a residential service company that runs mostly service, your value will be directly tied to completed service calls. Obviously, when you first start out, you will have a lot to learn and need to gain experience. However, with the right training and understanding of the fundamentals, you will set yourself up for the best paying positions. Keep in mind this is a constant learning field, and the more you learn, the more you are worth. There are many sites quoting pay but always visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the most up to date and accurate information.