HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$65,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$42,763 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$35,838 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $70,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $53,900▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $89,600▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $112,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,763 | $43,210▲ | -$447 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,474 | $61,446▲ | -$6,972 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,838 | $37,930▲ | -$2,092 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 105,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($42,763 vs $43,210 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.