HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Louisville, KY vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Louisville, KY and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$45,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$51,724 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$45,882 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $76,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $58,520▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $97,280▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $121,600▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 187 | -100 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 6.85% | -2.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,724▲ | $40,642 | +$11,082 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,917 | $65,414▲ | -$25,497 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,882▲ | $34,981 | +$10,901 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 170,000 | -145,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $31,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 187), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($51,724 vs $40,642 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 6.85%).
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.