HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$40,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$47,059 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$43,482 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $40,000 | $79,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,800 | $60,830▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,200 | $101,120▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $126,400▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,059▲ | $42,473 | +$4,586 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,960 | $66,207▲ | -$29,247 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,482▲ | $35,595 | +$7,887 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 130,000 | -115,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $40,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,059 vs $42,473 equivalent). El Paso, 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.