HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$54,369 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$47,977 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $79,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $60,830▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $101,120▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $126,400▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,369▲ | $42,473 | +$11,896 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,416 | $66,207▲ | -$16,791 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,977▲ | $35,595 | +$12,382 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 130,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $23,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($54,369 vs $42,473 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.