HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$56,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$54,369 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$47,977 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $76,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $58,520▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $97,280▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $121,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,369▲ | $40,642 | +$13,727 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,416 | $65,414▲ | -$15,998 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,977▲ | $34,981 | +$12,996 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 170,000 | -115,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($54,369 vs $40,642 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.