HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$51,485 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$44,837 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $79,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $60,830▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $101,120▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $126,400▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,485▲ | $42,473 | +$9,012 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,285 | $66,207▲ | -$20,922 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,837▲ | $35,595 | +$9,242 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 130,000 | -95,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($51,485 vs $42,473 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% 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.