Building Automation Specialist Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Install, calibrate, commission, and program automated environmental controls, smart HVAC networks, and building management systems.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wyoming WY | $96,930 | $46.60/hr | $96,160 | 80 | Casper, WY | 100.8 |
| #2 | Hawaii HI | $96,200 | $46.25/hr | $59,788 | 420 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 160.9 |
| #3 | Montana MT | $94,150 | $45.27/hr | $88,988 | 50 | Billings, MT | 105.8 |
| #4 | New Mexico NM | $94,015 | $45.20/hr | $95,543 | 570 | Albuquerque, NM | 98.4 |
| #5 | Washington WA | $92,936 | $44.68/hr | $78,826 | 2,130 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 117.9 |
| #6 | Alaska AK | $92,570 | $44.50/hr | $77,659 | 130 | Anchorage, AK | 119.2 |
| #7 | New Jersey NJ | $92,095 | $44.28/hr | $76,809 | 270 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 119.9 |
| #8 | California CA | $86,569 | $41.62/hr | $56,953 | 12,310 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 152.0 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
HVAC controls fundamentals, sensor wiring, low-voltage safety
BACnet, Modbus protocols, direct digital control (DDC) programming
Smart building integration, energy management modeling, commissioning
Commercial building automation projects, client contract management
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Building Automation Specialist: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Skilled Trades Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Skilled Trades occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Building Automation Specialist. Official 2026 economic data for Building Automation Specialist compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Building Automation Specialist range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Building Automation Specialist: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Building Automation Specialist is $78,190 per year ($37.59/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 241 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $53,640 in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN to $106,250 in Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Building Automation Specialist
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $106,250 | +35.9% |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $103,480 | +32.3% |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $103,170 | +31.9% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $102,640 | +31.3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $102,380 | +30.9% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $102,250 | +30.8% |
| Casper, WY | $99,840 | +27.7% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,180 | +25.6% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $97,740 | +25.0% |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $97,680 | +24.9% |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $97,450 | +24.6% |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $96,870 | +23.9% |