HVAC technician pay in San Jose, CA
HVAC technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a typical $82,050 a year. The middle half earn $63,820 to $106,630, and the top 10% earn more than $136,650. About 1,740 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, SOC 49-9021).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $57,170 |
| 25th percentile | $63,820 |
| Median (typical) | $82,050 |
| 75th percentile | $106,630 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $136,650 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 1 of 50 large metros for HVAC technicians before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $82,050, a single filer keeps about $63,200 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Jose are 10% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $57,200 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Jose No. 4 of 50 large metros for HVAC technicians after cost of living.
Where HVAC technicians’ pay goes furthest
- Seattle, WA$80,100 typical · worth $58.7k
- Hartford, CT$76,180 typical · worth $58.2k
- Chicago, IL$77,960 typical · worth $57.9k
- Minneapolis, MN$77,490 typical · worth $56.9k
All 50 metros for HVAC technicians →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among HVAC technicians in San Jose. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a hvac technician make in San Jose, CA?
The typical (median) hvac technician in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earns $82,050 a year. The middle half earn between $63,820 and $106,630, and the top 10% earn more than $136,650. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a hvac technician in San Jose?
Anything above $82,050 pays more than half of HVAC technicians in San Jose. $106,630 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $136,650 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a hvac technician in San Jose take home after taxes?
At the typical $82,050, a single filer keeps about $63,200 a year ($5,260 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 10% above the US average, that buys what $57,200 would in a typical US city.
Where do HVAC technicians get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical hvac technician pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Seattle, WA, Hartford, CT, Chicago, IL. San Jose, CA ranks No. 4.
More: HVAC technician pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Jose, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.