HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$79,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$42,473 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$35,595 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $79,000▲ | $76,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,830▲ | $58,520 | +$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,120▲ | $97,280 | +$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,400▲ | $121,600 | +$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,473▲ | $40,642 | +$1,831 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,207▲ | $65,414 | +$793 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,595▲ | $34,981 | +$614 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 170,000 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $79,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($42,473 vs $40,642 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.