HVAC Technician salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An HVAC Technician in California earns a median of $72,560 a year ($34.88/hour equivalent), 18.9% above the national median of $61,010. California ranks #12 of 51 states. About 35,130 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $56,353 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,167 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,790.77
- Federal income tax
- −$274.35
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$173.03
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$40.47
- California income tax
- −$99.21
- CA SDI
- −$36.28
- Take-home pay
- $2,167.44
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $72,560
- Federal
- $7,133
- FICA
- $5,551
- State + local
- $3,523
- Net
- $56,353
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 8.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia | $84,390 |
| #2 | Alaska | $77,430 |
| #3 | Illinois | $77,410 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $77,300 |
| #5 | Connecticut | $76,610 |
| #12 | California | $72,560 |
| #49 | Mississippi | $48,680 |
| #50 | Alabama | $48,370 |
| #51 | Arkansas | $48,110 |
See the national HVAC Technician salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an HVAC Technician make in California?
The median salary is $72,560 a year and the average is $75,370 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for heating?
California ranks #12 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 19% above the national median of $61,010.
What is $72,560 after taxes in California?
About $56,353 a year ($2,167 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.