Recreational vehicles (RVs) have exploded in popularity over the last decade. As more people embrace RVing for travel adventures and seasonal living, demand for qualified technicians has grown rapidly. Keeping today’s highly complex RVs running requires skilled experts with electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and appliance repair knowledge. So how much does this specialized career pay?
RV technicians’ pay varies by experience, education, location, and specialization. Beginners start at $30,000, experienced ones earn $60,000 – $80,000+, especially with certifications like RVIA/RVDA Master Certified Technician. Pay is influenced by location, favoring higher compensation in big cities. Dealerships and repair shops have different pay structures. Specializing in specific RV areas can boost income. On average, RV technicians earn $45,260 per year, with the top 10% making over $64,000.
Key Factors Influencing RV Technician Salaries
Experience Level
Years of experience is a major determiner of pay in this field. Entry-level technicians right out of trade school may start around $30,000 per year. With a few years under their belt and some specialized certifications, pay typically jumps to $40,000 – $50,000. Senior-level techs with 5+ years experience often earn $60,000 – $70,000 on average. The most seasoned professionals can make over $80,000 annually.
Education and Certifications
While no specific degree is required, completing a trade school or community college program in RV repair demonstrates technical skills and shows commitment to the career. Industry-recognized certifications like RVIA/RVDA Master Certified Technician significantly boost earning ability and job prospects. Ongoing training is crucial as systems evolve.
Location
RV tech salaries fluctuate based on geographic location. The highest pay is found in metro areas and tech hubs like Florida, Texas, and California where the cost of living is higher. Rural areas often pay 10-15% less. Seasonal positions in prime RV destinations like Arizona tend to be on the lower end around $30,000 – $40,000.
Employer
Dealerships offer full-time, year-round positions with stability and room for advancement. Compensation here starts around $40,000 for entry-level. Independent repair shops have greater variability in earning potential, while mobile on-site repair services allow professionals to set their rates but require more self-marketing.
Specialization
General RV technicians command $40,000 – $50,000 depending on experience. Specialists who focus on areas like bodywork, generators, leveling systems, or specific RV brands can push into the $60,000 – $70,000+ range. Mastering a niche area boosts earning power.
Salary Expectations for RV Technicians
National Average: $45,260 per year / $21.76 per hour
Entry Level (0-2 yrs): $30,000 – $40,000
Mid Level (3-5 yrs): $40,000 – $60,000
Senior Level (5+ yrs): $60,000 – $80,000+
Regional salary averages –
West: $47,000
Midwest: $43,000
South: $46,500
Northeast: $51,000
The top 10% of RV techs make $64,000+ while the bottom 10% earn less than $30,000. Experience, specialty, and cost of living all impact wages.
State-by-State RV Technician Salary Breakdown
In the previous section, you got an overall idea about the salary. Now to make things more convenient, I’m providing you the salary information based on individual states. By this time, it might be slightly changed, but last time I checked it was this –
| State | Hourly Wage | Weekly Pay | Monthly Pay | Annual Salary |
| Iowa | $17.79 | $712 | $3,086 | $39,000 |
| Louisiana | $18.85 | $754 | $3,267 | $41,600 |
| North Dakota | $18.85 | $754 | $3,267 | $41,600 |
| Mississippi | $19.04 | $762 | $3,302 | $41,925 |
| Alabama | $19.91 | $797 | $3,457 | $43,875 |
| Indiana | $21.86 | $874 | $3,792 | $47,840 |
| Tennessee | $21.86 | $874 | $3,792 | $47,840 |
| Vermont | $21.86 | $874 | $3,792 | $47,840 |
| Minnesota | $21.92 | $877 | $3,805 | $48,000 |
| Ohio | $21.92 | $877 | $3,805 | $48,009 |
| Texas | $22.15 | $886 | $3,847 | $48,750 |
| Colorado | $22.15 | $886 | $3,847 | $48,750 |
| Georgia | $22.15 | $886 | $3,847 | $48,750 |
| New Mexico | $22.15 | $886 | $3,847 | $48,750 |
| Michigan | $22.60 | $904 | $3,917 | $49,500 |
| Missouri | $23.93 | $957 | $4,149 | $51,675 |
| Kentucky | $23.93 | $957 | $4,149 | $51,675 |
| New Hampshire | $24.04 | $962 | $4,170 | $52,000 |
| Utah | $24.04 | $962 | $4,170 | $52,000 |
| Wisconsin | $24.04 | $962 | $4,170 | $52,000 |
| North Carolina | $25.96 | $1,038 | $4,491 | $54,080 |
| Maryland | $25.96 | $1,038 | $4,491 | $54,080 |
| California | $26.15 | $1,046 | $4,530 | $54,600 |
| Montana | $26.15 | $1,046 | $4,530 | $54,600 |
| Illinois | $26.15 | $1,046 | $4,530 | $54,600 |
| Oklahoma | $26.15 | $1,046 | $4,530 | $54,600 |
| Wyoming | $26.44 | $1,058 | $4,589 | $55,000 |
| New York | $27.29 | $1,091 | $4,726 | $56,550 |
| Oregon | $27.29 | $1,091 | $4,726 | $56,550 |
| South Carolina | $27.50 | $1,100 | $4,759 | $57,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $27.50 | $1,100 | $4,759 | $57,200 |
| Connecticut | $27.85 | $1,114 | $4,828 | $58,240 |
| Washington | $27.88 | $1,115 | $4,834 | $58,500 |
| Florida | $28.95 | $1,158 | $5,014 | $60,320 |
| Nevada | $28.95 | $1,158 | $5,014 | $60,320 |
| Virginia | $30.77 | $1,231 | $5,330 | $65,000 |
| Massachusetts | $30.77 | $1,231 | $5,330 | $65,000 |
| Arizona | $32.48 | $1,299 | $5,625 | $67,600 |
| Idaho | $35.47 | $1,419 | $6,146 | $73,840 |
| New Jersey | $36.06 | $1,442 | $6,252 | $75,000 |
| Nebraska | $48.08 | $1,923 | $8,333 | $100,000 |
Job Outlook for RV Technicians
Great news for people wanting to be RV technicians! According to RVIA, there will be more job opportunities in the future. They expect a 4% increase in job openings each year. This is because more RVs are being made and more people are retiring, leaving job openings. If you’re good at fixing things and enjoy helping people, you’ll find lots of job options. Many older adults, especially those from the Baby Boomer generation, like to use RVs for travel. This means there will be a demand for RV technicians for many years to come. So, if you’re thinking about becoming an RV technician, it seems like a smart choice for the future!
Helpful Resources for Aspiring RV Technicians
For those interested in joining this fast-growing field –
- Search current RV technician job listings on sites like Workamper, Trovit, and Indeed.
- Learn about RVIA training and certification programs.
- Check out Trade School and Community College RV Tech Programs.
- Research employers, network, and start your path towards an engaging career maintaining the RVs of tomorrow.
