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