HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$40,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,059 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$43,482 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $40,000 | $77,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,800 | $59,290▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,200 | $98,560▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $123,200▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,059 | $47,531▲ | -$472 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,960 | $71,148▲ | -$34,188 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,482 | $43,919▲ | -$437 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 145,000 | -130,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $37,000 more (median: $40,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($47,059 vs $47,531 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.