HVAC Technicians Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,950
- 25th Percentile — Junior$58,280
- 50th Percentile — Median$72,560
- 75th Percentile — Senior$90,780
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$109,060
Half of HVAC Technicians in California earn more than $72,560. The top 10% make $109,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,950.
HVAC Technicians in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 7th of 51 states for HVAC Technicians pay, at $75,370 per year (16.3% above the U.S. average of $64,780).
- 35,130 people work as HVAC Technicians in California — 8.6% of all U.S. HVAC Technicians jobs.
- Location quotient 0.73: HVAC Technicians jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,950; the top 10% earn over $109,060.
- Hourly equivalent: $36.24 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $84,920.
- Among skilled trades jobs in California, Electrical Power-Line Installers pays the most ($125,270).
HVAC Technicians Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. HVAC Technicians here earn $75,370 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $75,370 is roughly equivalent to $53,077 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($78,860), Massachusetts ($77,760), New Jersey ($77,580) are the closest alternatives for HVAC Technicians weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Skilled Trades Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Electrical Power-Line Installers $125,270/yr California +66.2% vs this role
- Telecommunications Line Installers $91,490/yr California +21.4% vs this role
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $86,110/yr California +14.2% vs this role
- Millwrights $84,220/yr California +11.7% vs this role
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers $81,340/yr California +7.9% vs this role
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics $76,060/yr California +0.9% vs this role
- Bus and Truck Mechanics $72,690/yr California 3.6% vs this role
- Maintenance Workers Machinery $68,780/yr California 8.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average HVAC Technicians salary in California?
The average HVAC Technicians salary in California is $75,370 per year (median $72,560), which is 16.3% above the national average of $64,780.
How does California rank for HVAC Technicians pay?
California ranks 7th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($84,920/yr).
How much do entry-level HVAC Technicians make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of HVAC Technicians in California earn about $46,950 per year and the 25th percentile is $58,280.
How much do HVAC Technicians make per hour in California?
About $36.24 per hour, based on the $75,370 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many HVAC Technicians work in California?
BLS counts 35,130 HVAC Technicians jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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