HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$52,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$51,485 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$44,837 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $76,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $58,520▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $97,280▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $121,600▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,485▲ | $40,642 | +$10,843 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,285 | $65,414▲ | -$20,129 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,837▲ | $34,981 | +$9,856 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 170,000 | -135,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $24,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($51,485 vs $40,642 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% 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.