HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$45,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$51,724 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$45,882 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $70,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $53,900▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $89,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $112,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,724▲ | $43,210 | +$8,514 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,917 | $61,446▲ | -$21,529 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,882▲ | $37,930 | +$7,952 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 105,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $25,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($51,724 vs $43,210 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (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.