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 $72,560 per year ($34.88 per hour), up 21.3% from May 2020, with the middle of the wage range running from $46,950 at the 10th percentile to $109,060 at the 90th.
California employs approximately 35,130 HVAC technicians statewide, up 8.4% from May 2020.
Median Wages by Metro
| Metro | Annual median | Hourly | Employment | 5-yr wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $82,050 | $39.45/hr | 1,740 | up 9.4% |
| Santa Rosa | $79,510 | $38.23/hr | 560 | up 49.4% |
| Santa Maria | $78,640 | $37.81/hr | 260 | up 16.0% |
| San Francisco | $78,490 | $37.73/hr | 3,980 | up 16.0% |
| Stockton | $75,710 | $36.40/hr | 390 | up 34.3% |
| San Diego | $74,880 | $36.00/hr | 3,210 | up 21.4% |
| Los Angeles | $73,830 | $35.49/hr | 10,720 | up 20.4% |
| Salinas | $72,550 | $34.88/hr | 300 | up 14.9% |
| Oxnard | $69,710 | $33.52/hr | 750 | up 27.7% |
| Sacramento | $66,670 | $32.06/hr | 2,940 | up 14.5% |
| Bakersfield | $66,400 | $31.92/hr | 680 | up 17.3% |
| Visalia | $64,990 | $31.24/hr | 330 | up 2.3% |
| Modesto | $64,760 | $31.13/hr | 470 | up 20.1% |
| Riverside | $64,300 | $30.92/hr | 4,820 | up 32.6% |
| Fresno | $62,580 | $30.09/hr | 1,300 | up 11.8% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2020 and May 2025.
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 →