HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$70,000 vs $61,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$43,210 vs $47,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$37,930 vs $42,097
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000▲ | $61,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900▲ | $46,970 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600▲ | $78,080 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $97,600 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,210 | $47,656▲ | -$4,446 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,446▲ | $53,884 | +$7,562 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,930 | $42,097▲ | -$4,167 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 70,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $9,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $61,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($43,210 vs $47,656 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.