HVAC Technician Salary in California

HVAC Technicians in California have a median annual salary of $72,560, which works out to about $34.88 per hour, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of $58,280 to $90,780, based on the latest BLS OEWS data.

49-9021 · Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

HVAC Technician pay in California at a glance

Median annual salary

$72,560

Median hourly wage

$34.88/hr

Average annual salary

$75,370

Average hourly wage

$36.24/hr

25th percentile

$58,280

75th percentile

$90,780

10th percentile

$46,950

90th percentile

$109,060

People employed

35,130

Salary distribution

Reported wage points from the lowest to the highest paid HVAC technician roles in California.

10th percentile
$46,950
25th percentile
$58,280
Median percentile
$72,560
75th percentile
$90,780
90th percentile
$109,060

California vs U.S. salary

The median salary for HVAC technician roles in California is about 18.9% above the U.S. median of $61,010 for the same occupation.

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How much does a HVAC technician make in California?

Half of HVAC technician roles in California report earning more than $72,560 a year and half report earning less — that is the median. The mean (average) of $75,370 is pulled up or down by the highest and lowest earners, which is why the median is usually the better benchmark.

Salary range

A quarter of reported salaries fall below $58,280 and a quarter are above $90,780, so most HVAC technician pay sits between those two figures. These percentiles describe how pay is spread across all reported roles — they are not a direct measure of years of experience.

What can affect HVAC technician pay?

  • Years of experience and level of responsibility
  • Employer type and size
  • Specialization within the occupation
  • Certifications and licensing
  • Industry
  • Hours worked, shift patterns and overtime
  • The local labor market where the job is based

HVAC Technician pay in other states

Related jobs in California

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Methodology · Data sources

Salary figures are benchmarks and can vary by employer, experience, specialization, hours worked and other factors.