HVAC Salary in California
Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
California HVAC Wages at a Glance
California HVAC technicians earn a statewide median of $65,290 per year ($31.39 per hour), up 15.2% from May 2019, with the middle of the wage range running from $46,980 at the 10th percentile to $107,600 at the 90th.
California employs approximately 34,020 HVAC technicians statewide, up 14.7% from May 2019.
Median Wages by Metro
| Metro | Annual median | Hourly | Employment | 5-yr wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $83,980 | $40.38/hr | 2,050 | up 22.2% |
| San Francisco | $76,760 | $36.90/hr | 3,610 | up 6.7% |
| Santa Maria | $74,890 | $36.00/hr | 260 | up 34.6% |
| San Diego | $72,180 | $34.70/hr | 2,810 | up 22.9% |
| Santa Rosa | $71,580 | $34.41/hr | 560 | up 27.0% |
| Stockton | $65,630 | $31.55/hr | 440 | up 46.0% |
| Los Angeles | $64,820 | $31.16/hr | 9,420 | up 12.2% |
| Sacramento | $64,800 | $31.15/hr | 3,030 | up 15.0% |
| Bakersfield | $63,670 | $30.61/hr | 780 | up 33.2% |
| Modesto | $63,660 | $30.61/hr | 430 | up 23.0% |
| Riverside | $63,540 | $30.55/hr | 5,380 | up 49.6% |
| Salinas | $63,230 | $30.40/hr | 210 | up 8.3% |
| Oxnard | $60,820 | $29.24/hr | 840 | up 16.6% |
| Fresno | $60,520 | $29.10/hr | 1,180 | up 15.8% |
| Visalia | $50,020 | $24.05/hr | 370 | down 18.1% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2019 and May 2024.
California HVAC Apprenticeships
Most HVAC technicians enter the field through a registered apprenticeship: typically 4 to 5 years of paid on-the-job training combined with classroom hours.
Browse registered HVAC apprenticeship sponsors in California →