HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$58,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$54,206 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$47,607 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $76,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $58,520▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $97,280▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $121,600▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,206▲ | $40,642 | +$13,564 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,939 | $65,414▲ | -$14,475 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,607▲ | $34,981 | +$12,626 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 170,000 | -82,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $18,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($54,206 vs $40,642 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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.