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HVAC Technician salary in California
The middle half of HVAC technicians in California earned $28.02 to $43.65 an hour in May 2025, and the top tenth $52.44 or more.1 The median is 19% above the US median.2
- 10th
- $22.57
- 25th
- $28.02
- Median
- $34.88
- 75th
- $43.65
- 90th
- $52.44
- 10th
- $46,950
- 25th
- $58,280
- Median
- $72,560
- 75th
- $90,780
- 90th
- $109,060
Which California cities pay HVAC technicians the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has the highest median of the 10 metro areas below, $39.45 an hour; Fresno has the lowest, $30.09.1
- San Jose–Sunnyvale$39.45
- Santa Rosa–Petaluma$38.23
- San Francisco–Oakland$37.73
- San Diego–Chula Vista$36.00
- Los Angeles–Long Beach$35.49
- Oxnard–Thousand Oaks$33.52
- Sacramento–Roseville$32.06
- Bakersfield–Delano$31.92
The 10 largest of 25 metro areas with HVAC technician data, by employment.
Do HVAC technicians make $100,000 a year in California?
Between 10% and 25% do. $100,000 falls between the 75th percentile ($90,780) and the 90th ($109,060).1
How much do new HVAC technicians make in California?
The lowest-paid tenth of HVAC technicians in California earned $22.57 an hour or less ($46,950 a year), and the lowest quarter earned $28.02 or less.1 OEWS does not report apprentice pay separately.
Are HVAC technicians in demand in California?
Projections Central expects California to go from 37,400 HVAC technician jobs in 2024 to 42,200 in 2034, a change of 12.8%, with about 3,770 openings a year.3 The US projection is 8.1%.
| Area | Jobs 2024 | Jobs 2034 | Change | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 37,400 | 42,200 | 12.8% | 3,770 |
| United States | 425,200 | 459,700 | 8.1% | 40,100 |
How does HVAC technician pay compare with other trades in California?
HVAC technicians rank fourth of the five trades on this site by median pay in California. General contractors have the highest median, $46.96 an hour.1
| Trade | Median hourly | Median annual | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractors | $46.96 | $97,680 | 71,750 |
| Electricians | $36.62 | $76,160 | 73,310 |
| Plumbers | $35.01 | $72,830 | 47,660 |
| HVAC Technicians | $34.88 | $72,560 | 35,130 |
| Roofers | $30.58 | $63,600 | 21,190 |
Where to train in California
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, California, May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)
- BLS OEWS national estimates: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021), May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections 2024-2034 (projectionscentral.org, 2024-2034)