HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: New York, NY vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in New York, NY and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$76,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$40,642 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$34,981 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $79,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $60,830▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $101,120▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $126,400▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 186 | +1 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85%▲ | 9.3% | -2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,642 | $42,473▲ | -$1,831 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,414 | $66,207▲ | -$793 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,981 | $35,595▲ | -$614 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 130,000 | +40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($40,642 vs $42,473 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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.