A new 3-ton central air conditioner costs about $5,800–$7,800 installed in the US. We estimate $5,300–$7,200 in Arkansas and $6,800–$8,900 in Washington, DC. The gap comes from what HVAC installers earn in each state.
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Get free AC quotesWe start with the national price of a 3-ton, standard-efficiency AC: $3,300–$4,800 for the unit and $2,500–$3,000 for installation (HomeGuide). That gives $5,800–$7,800 for the US, the same answer as our AC cost calculator.
Then we scale only the installation part by what HVAC installers earn in each state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median at $61,010 a year (BLS May 2025). In a state where installers earn 20% more, installation costs 20% more. We round to the nearest $100.
This is an estimate, not a quote. It leaves out sales tax, permits, brand, and local demand. Hot states also tend to need bigger units. Get at least three written quotes for the same size and SEER rating.
| State | Median HVAC installer pay | Estimated installed price |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $61,010 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Alabama | $48,370 | $5,300–$7,200 |
| Alaska | $77,430 | $6,500–$8,600 |
| Arizona | $59,400 | $5,700–$7,700 |
| Arkansas | $48,110 | $5,300–$7,200 |
| California | $72,560 | $6,300–$8,400 |
| Colorado | $65,200 | $6,000–$8,000 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 | $6,400–$8,600 |
| Delaware | $62,320 | $5,900–$7,900 |
| Florida | $56,670 | $5,600–$7,600 |
| Georgia | $56,390 | $5,600–$7,600 |
| Hawaii | $65,450 | $6,000–$8,000 |
| Idaho | $56,240 | $5,600–$7,600 |
| Illinois | $77,410 | $6,500–$8,600 |
| Indiana | $60,430 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Iowa | $60,680 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Kansas | $60,460 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Kentucky | $58,620 | $5,700–$7,700 |
| Louisiana | $58,650 | $5,700–$7,700 |
| Maine | $63,170 | $5,900–$7,900 |
| Maryland | $70,020 | $6,200–$8,200 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 | $6,500–$8,600 |
| Michigan | $60,850 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 | $6,400–$8,600 |
| Mississippi | $48,680 | $5,300–$7,200 |
| Missouri | $59,950 | $5,800–$7,700 |
| Montana | $60,850 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Nebraska | $59,850 | $5,800–$7,700 |
| Nevada | $60,510 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 | $6,300–$8,400 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 | $6,400–$8,500 |
| New Mexico | $50,270 | $5,400–$7,300 |
| New York | $74,430 | $6,300–$8,500 |
| North Carolina | $57,260 | $5,600–$7,600 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 | $6,400–$8,500 |
| Ohio | $62,510 | $5,900–$7,900 |
| Oklahoma | $57,560 | $5,700–$7,600 |
| Oregon | $62,940 | $5,900–$7,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,400 | $5,900–$7,900 |
| Rhode Island | $67,370 | $6,100–$8,100 |
| South Carolina | $56,610 | $5,600–$7,600 |
| South Dakota | $61,390 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Tennessee | $55,490 | $5,600–$7,500 |
| Texas | $57,760 | $5,700–$7,600 |
| Utah | $58,730 | $5,700–$7,700 |
| Vermont | $62,150 | $5,800–$7,900 |
| Virginia | $59,730 | $5,700–$7,700 |
| Washington | $75,660 | $6,400–$8,500 |
| Washington, DC | $84,390 | $6,800–$8,900 |
| West Virginia | $48,850 | $5,300–$7,200 |
| Wisconsin | $61,710 | $5,800–$7,800 |
| Wyoming | $54,700 | $5,500–$7,500 |
Checked October 2026.