Key Takeaways

The median HVAC technician salary in California is $57,180 per year ($28.25/hr mean), which is 17.6% above the U.S. median. Experienced techs (90th percentile) earn $81,370.

  • Entry-level (10th percentile): $38,170/yr
  • Median: $57,180/yr · Mean: $58,760/yr
  • 38,420 HVAC techs employed in California
  • Cost-of-living adjusted wage: $41,322/yr (COL index 142.2)
Salary Percentiles
See how HVAC technician pay is distributed across experience levels in California.
90th Percentile
$81,370
75th Percentile
$69,540
Median
$57,180
25th Percentile
$46,290
10th Percentile
$38,170
Cost of Living Adjustment
California's cost of living index is 142.2 (national average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, your effective annual wage is $41,322.
Earn More in
California.
Certified HVAC technicians earn 10–15% more on average. Find a training program that preps you for the certifications that boost your pay.
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