HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$61,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$47,656 vs $50,806
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$42,097 vs $46,945
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $61,000 | $63,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,970 | $48,510▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,080 | $80,640▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,600 | $100,800▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,656 | $50,806▲ | -$3,150 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,884 | $58,212▲ | -$4,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,097 | $46,945▲ | -$4,848 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 95,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $2,000 more (median: $61,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,656 vs $50,806 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.